Estate Planning

Estate planning involves the management of your assets while you are alive and the distribution of those assets after you pass away.

While You Are Alive
If you become incapacitated, physically or mentally, proper estate planning can insure your estate will be managed for your benefit by the person(s) or entities of your choice, rather than by a court-appointed Conservator. This can be done by creating a revocable trust with a successor trustee named to take over management of your trust assets and by executing a durable power of attorney, naming an "attorney in fact" to take over non-trust business, such as completing insurance, retirement, social security and IRS forms.

After You Pass Away
Proper estate planning can insure the estate remaining at the time of your death is transferred efficiently and economically to the heirs you have designated, in the manner and time frame you have designated. Again, with proper planning this can be done by your designated trustee, without the necessity of court proceedings.

Current and future clients should review the Estate Planning Checklist as a way to take inventory of their estates. When this form is completed, the process of planning your estate will be much easier. The form should be reviewed and updated at least annually and whenever substantial changes occur in your circumstances or your wishes to maximize your planning strategy.