Estate – Probate – Trust

old and young people holding hands

Estate – Probate – Trust

The objective of this practice group is to assist our clients in achieving their estate planning goals in a timely and cost-efficient manner. Proper estate planning can eliminate probate and reduce or eliminate estate taxes. The firm has experience in all aspects of probate.

Probate involves inventorying and appraising the property, paying debts and taxes, and distributing the remainder of the property according to the will. When you make a living trust, your surviving family members can transfer your property quickly and easily, without probate. More of the property you leave goes to the people you want to inherit it.

Most people want to leave as much of their money to their children, or other heirs, as possible — and want to avoid a big chunk of that money going to probate lawyers. That’s where living trusts come in. Living trusts can help in avoiding probate and probate fees. Avoiding probate court proceedings after your death can save your family time, money, and headaches. Revocable living trusts allows you to avoid probate for any property you own including real estate, jewelry, heirlooms, and bank accounts.

Estate planning is essential to preserve family wealth. Historically this consisted of the drafting and execution of a Will. Today the wide variety of assets found in the modern portfolio requires a modern approach to estate planning that includes assets that pass at death by survivorship, by beneficiary designation or through an existing trust to others.