Estate Planning

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Get the assistance you need to resolve your estate planning issues.

Creating and updating a will

Designating your beneficiaries

Setting up trusts to protect your assets (both during your lifetime and after your death)

Establishing medical durable power of attorney and durable power of attorney

Reducing and/or avoiding estate tax when possible

Finding ways to avoid the probate court process

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What Is Estate Planning

Making preparations for the inevitable can be a very difficult and intimidating procedure, particularly if you have no legal training. You are aware of your assets and who you want to inherit them in the event of your passing, but carrying this through is more difficult than simply making a list of people and things. To make sure that your estate plan is legitimate, current, and accurately reflects your preferences, it would be beneficial if you worked with a legal expert.
A specialized legal document known as an estate plan outlines how you want your possessions to be distributed after your passing. Courts do not recognize oral declarations made regarding your property and other assets at the time of your death, thus having a documented estate plan is crucial.

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What an Estate Planning Lawyer Can Do for You

Estate planning lawyers, often referred to as probate lawyers, will and living trust lawyers, or estate law lawyers, are qualified legal experts who are well-versed in the state and federal laws that have an impact on how your estate is assessed, taxed, inventoried, and distributed after your death. To draft your will, trust, power of attorney, and other specialized forms, you can turn to an estate law attorney.
You can pay an attorney on an hourly basis to assist with estate planning, but some attorneys charge flat rates for creating legally enforceable documents like wills and durable powers of attorney. These can include resolving conflicts on your behalf and ensuring that your will is carried out as intended.

If you find yourself in any of the following (or a circumstance similar to them) when preparing your will and estate plan, you may want to speak with an estate lawyer:

You are recently divorced

You are in a second (or later) marriage

You have minor children/or don't have any childreen

You own one or more businesses

You own real estate in different states

You want to leave some or all of your estate to charity

You recently lost a spouse or another family member

You own a taxable estate for state or federal estate tax purposes

You have substantial assets in IRAs or 401(k)s

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Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I die without a will?

In that scenario, your property and assets will be distributed in accordance with the laws of descent and distribution in effect in your state. Although state rules differ, normally your spouse and children receive the distribution.

When is the best time to consider estate planning?

The best time to have a will, durable power of attorney, and health care proxy is by or around the age of 30, though there is no one cut solution to this. It's crucial to be ready for the unexpected, regardless of your marital status, whether you have kids, or whether you're single.

Why should I choose Exact.legal?

Exact.legal lets you access a broad network of estate planning lawyers who handle both standard and complex will and trust cases, as well as estate plans.

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