Estate Planning
Estate Planning is an important tool in protecting your assets. Whether you want to create a guardianship for your children, plan for declining health, or create a plan to maintain and control your assets, our attorneys are committed to helping you accomplish your goals. At Morgan & Waldon we employ strategies that allow you to control the disposition of your assets, reduce tax implications, and avoid probate. We provide the following services:
Why do I need a will?
A will is a document that directs how your property is distributed and gives instructions about what should happen after your death. Without a will, state law will determine who gets some or all of your estate. A will can also reduce the likelihood of family members fighting over items. When children are involved, a will can name a guardian to your children, decreasing chances that family members will dispute the guardian.
What is probate?
Probate is the process by which the court manages and settles your estate. Assets held jointly or in trust may not need to be probated.
Why is a health care directive important?
A health care directive allows you to appoint someone to make health care decisions about you when you are unable to make those decisions. This allows you express your wishes about issues such as medication, organ donation, funeral planning, life sustaining procedures, or surgery. This differs from a power of attorney which gives another person the power to complete your financial transactions.
What are reasons to set up a trust?
A trust can be useful to provide for children, avoid taxes and probate, be eligible for medical assistance, or benefit charities. A trust manages your property; it is created by you and managed by a third party for the benefit of a beneficiary(s).
- Antenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements
- Wills and Trusts
- Guardianships and Conservatorships
- Probate & Trust Litigation
- Asset Protection Planning
- Retirement Benefit Planning
Why do I need a will?
A will is a document that directs how your property is distributed and gives instructions about what should happen after your death. Without a will, state law will determine who gets some or all of your estate. A will can also reduce the likelihood of family members fighting over items. When children are involved, a will can name a guardian to your children, decreasing chances that family members will dispute the guardian.
What is probate?
Probate is the process by which the court manages and settles your estate. Assets held jointly or in trust may not need to be probated.
Why is a health care directive important?
A health care directive allows you to appoint someone to make health care decisions about you when you are unable to make those decisions. This allows you express your wishes about issues such as medication, organ donation, funeral planning, life sustaining procedures, or surgery. This differs from a power of attorney which gives another person the power to complete your financial transactions.
What are reasons to set up a trust?
A trust can be useful to provide for children, avoid taxes and probate, be eligible for medical assistance, or benefit charities. A trust manages your property; it is created by you and managed by a third party for the benefit of a beneficiary(s).
