Throughout life, you accumulate possessions and assets over time. It is common that as you age, the more possessions you have. No matter how old you are, you should be considering what you want to happen with your possessions and assets if you were to pass. Old or young, you never know what can happen and you should be prepared. Hiring an estate planning attorney will allow you to protect your assets and ensure that your loved ones are taken care of once you are gone. At Beard St. Clair Gaffney, we have the knowledge and expertise to help you navigate the complexity of estate planning to be sure that you are getting the end result that you want. Whether you are just starting to think about estate planning or need to update an existing plan, we can help you through the process!

What is Estate Planning?

An estate is the total sum of an individual’s assets, including property, money, investments, and personal possessions. It includes everything that a person owns at the time of their death. An estate can also include any debts or liabilities that the individual had at the time of their death. After a person passes away, their estate is managed and distributed according to their wishes, which may be outlined in a will or other legal documents. The process of managing and distributing an estate is known as estate planning, and an estate planning attorney typically oversees it. Hiring an attorney for this process is likely to be a smoother process and done correctly rather than without one.

Services Offered

Drafting Wills and Trusts

One of the key tasks that we can help with is drafting wills and trusts. A will is a legal document that outlines how a person’s assets will be distributed after their death, while a trust is a legal structure that can be used to transfer assets to beneficiaries without going through probate court. With our expertise in the complex laws and regulations surrounding wills and trusts, we can help our clients create customized plans that meet your specific needs and goals. Whatever your wishes may be, they can be put into a will or trust to ensure it happens.

Designating Powers of Attorney

A power of attorney is a legal document that designates someone to make decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated and unable to make decisions yourself. We will help our clients establish the power of attorney for both financial and healthcare decisions. This means that if our client is not able to make those types of decisions, you have designated someone you trust to make crucial decisions on your behalf. The estate planning attorney can advise clients on the different types of powers of attorney available, as well as the specific powers and limitations that should be included in the document. This documentation will give you peace of mind that your health or asset decisions are in the hands of whomever you choose and trust.

Advising on Tax and Asset Protection Strategies

When you work with an estate planning attorney you will get advice on tax and asset protection strategies. We have expertise in the complex laws and regulations surrounding estates, trusts, and taxes, and we can help our clients minimize taxes and protect assets from creditors and lawsuits. We can give you guidance on how to set up your trusts to minimize estate taxes or how to structure your assets to qualify for certain tax benefits. With our help, you can create a comprehensive plan that considers your unique financial situation and goals and ensure that your assets are protected and distributed in the most tax-efficient way possible.

Administering Estates After Death

After a person passes away, their estate must go through a legal process known as probate. Probate involves validating the will, paying off any debts or taxes owed by the estate, and distributing the remaining assets to the beneficiaries named in the will or determined by law. An estate planning attorney can help guide the executor or personal representative of the estate through the probate process, ensuring that all legal requirements are met and that the assets are distributed according to the wishes of the deceased. We can also help resolve any disputes or challenges that may arise during the probate process. By working with an estate planning attorney, the executor or personal representative can fulfill their legal obligations and ensure that the estate is administered smoothly and efficiently. This is especially helpful if there are conflicts surrounding the estate by family members or others.

The Benefits of Hiring an Estate Planning Attorney

When it comes to your possessions and assets, you want to be sure that they are going where you want them to go. For many, this gives you the opportunity to make sure that your loved ones are taken care of. When you hire an estate planning attorney, it will save you time, stress, and money. Our team of attorneys is experienced and can help you with any of your estate planning needs. Since our team is full of professionals, we are efficient and do things in a timely manner. It will save you the stress of trying to figure out the laws and ensuring that everything is done correctly. With our experience, we are well versed with the law to save your loved one’s money on taxes when the time comes. This way, your loved ones are getting the most from your estate that they legally can.

Choose Beard St. Clair Gaffney

When it comes to your possessions, it is important that you take care of them before it is too late. You never know what could happen in your life and it is better to be prepared for an unfortunate situation. Having your estate planned means that you will be in charge of what happens to your estate. You get to make the decisions so that your loved ones are set up for success the way you see fit. At Beard St. Clair Gaffney, we are here to help you through the entire process of estate planning. Our team is detail-oriented, well-versed in estate planning law, and have the experience to make it a smooth process for you. Call us with any questions that you may have, we want to make sure that your wishes and desires for your estate happen!