Estate Planning & Probate

Estate Planning

During the estate planning process, we will gain an understanding of your family, property, and values, and we will make legal arrangements in accordance with your informed wishes. In most instances, the process will result in the preparation of wills or trusts, financial and medical powers of attorney, “living wills,” and other estate planning documents.

Making these legal arrangements will promote the effective management of your personal and financial affairs if you become incapacitated. After your death, these arrangements will ensure that your estate will be administered and distributed in accordance with your wishes and that your children will be properly cared for. Families with significant assets will often benefit from enhanced strategies targeted to minimize taxes, protect assets, and arrange for the succession of business interests or other complex assets.

We consider it a privilege to counsel individuals, families, and domestic partners with regards to their estate planning, planned giving, charitable giving, or other aspects of family property law.

PROBATE

Probate is the process of resolving the affairs of a decedent. As part of the process, financial matters are settled, debts and taxes are paid, and heirs are established as a matter of law. After taxes and claims are paid or resolved, the decedent’s property is transferred to heirs or to a trustee for the ongoing management of the property.

Through probate, a lifetime of accumulated assets and liabilities are settled. It can be a complicated process. Accordingly, we offer experienced legal counsel to personal representatives and executors, heirs and beneficiaries, creditors, trustees, and other fiduciaries in all aspects of probate proceedings.