ESTATE PLANNING & WILLS
The estate planning attorneys at the Grant & Associates Law Firm assist individuals, couples, families, businesses, and executives in planning for the future. Our legal team will meet with you to discuss your options and create a plan to meet your goals, hopes, and expectations, whether that is through a simple will, a trust, or more sophisticated options. Our team can help you plan for life events, whether expected or unexpected, including:
- Incapacity through illness or mental disability
- Transition of ownership of a business
- Transfer of family assets upon death
Our attorneys will help prepare for these events through careful consideration of your wishes including:
- Protection of wealth and assets for future generations and from creditors
- Providing for minor children
- Charitable giving
- Minimize tax obligations
What is an Estate?
Your estate is your money and property including real estate, personal property, life insurance, and your business interests.
What is Estate Planning and Do I Need It?
Estate planning is the careful organization of all of your assets and documentation of your wishes so that you can control your assets while you are alive and can determine where they go and what happens to them upon your passing or incapacity. A good estate plan helps you and your loved ones ensure that your assets are given to whom you want, when you want. Everyone should have a good estate plan, it is not just for people with lots of money or property.
What Are Estate Planning Documents?
Some examples of estate planning documents are:
Last Will & Testament: The legal document by which you identify who is to receive your property upon your death.
Trust: A trust is a legal arrangement in which one person or qualified trust company (a trustee) holds property for the benefit of a beneficiary or beneficiaries.
Living Will: This form is used to ensure that your wishes are known about what medical treatment or other care you would or would not want if you become unable to speak for yourself.
Health Care Power of Attorney: In the event you are unable to make or communicate decisions about all aspects of your health care, this power of attorney authorizes another person (your agent) to make those health care decisions for you.
Durable Power of Attorney: A power of attorney authorizes another person (your agent) to make decisions for you. This document dictates when your agent can act and what kinds of decisions they are authorized to make on your behalf.
Declaration of Appointment of Guardian for Minor Children: This document declares who you would like to be appointed guardian of your minor children in the event that you are incapacitated or deceased.