Your estate consists of all the property you own at the time of your death, including retirement plans, life insurance, real estate, bank accounts, investments, and any of your personal property, such as cars, artwork, jewelry, and recreational equipment.

An estate plan is a collection of legal documents essential for managing and distributing your assets after you die or become incapacitated. Some estate planning documents are used to minimize the taxes paid when transferring property to loved ones or safeguard retirement. Other estate planning documents entrust specified individuals to make healthcare decisions if you cannot communicate your intentions or outline your wishes concerning life-prolonging medical care.

Proper planning can ensure that your assets are correctly passed down to the next generation. The number one reason for an estate plan is that planning gives you control over where your money goes after you pass away. An estate plan allows you to control the beneficiaries of your estate, can alleviate tax burdens, avoid the time and money expenses of probate, protect your loved ones from creditors, and ensure your wishes are followed after you pass. For parents of young children, appointing guardians for your minor children in your estate plan helps make monetary decisions to provide for your children into adulthood.

After a Personal Family Legal Session, a one-hour meeting with an estate planning attorney to design a custom estate plan, you can choose between a Will Package or a Trust Package. The Will Package includes:

A Last Will and Testament

Health Care Power of Attorney including a Mental Health Directive and Living Will (Final Directives)

Durable Power of Attorney

A Digital Asset Trust

A vault membership to store a copy of your estate planning documents online

The Trust Package includes all of the contents of the Will Package plus:

Revocable Living Trust

One (1) Deed to transfer house into trust