Your will and other critical papers can be written with the assistance of an estate planning attorney. They can also assist you in avoiding taxes and protecting your valuables.
They Can Help You Draft a Will
When you die, your family must figure out how to distribute your assets. A trusts & estates attorney can draft a will that specifies who gets what and how much they should receive. It can also include provisions for naming a guardian to care for minors. A lawyer can also make sure your will follows state law. For instance, some states require a choice to be signed and acknowledged before an expert witness or dated. A holographic will might only be valid if you meet these requirements. When choosing an estate planning lawyer Hernando County FL, you should check their reputation and fees. You can also approach people you know for recommendations. Think about whether they have hourly or flat pricing. Depending on the circumstances, each has advantages and cons. A flat fee can offer peace of mind by indicating how much you will pay upfront.
They Can Help You Draft a Trust
You can transfer assets to beneficiaries outside of probate court using a trust. You can choose who should serve as the trustee and how much property should be put into a trust with the assistance of an attorney. If you have kids, this can be useful to prevent them from accessing your assets before they’re mature enough to manage them appropriately. When choosing an estate planning attorney, ask friends and family who have worked with lawyers for referrals. Also, look at an attorney’s website to ask friends and family who have used attorneys for recommendations when picking an estate planning counsel. Review if they are a member of professional groups focusing on estate law. This may indicate that they are current on the latest developments in this field.
Your attorney should welcome questions and provide answers in a way that you understand them.
They Can Help You Draft a Power of Attorney
If you become mentally or physically incapable, having a power of attorney permits a third party to make financial, legal, and occasionally health decisions on your behalf. Many choose to appoint their spouse, sibling or close friend to serve as their agent if they cannot handle their affairs.
An authority of attorney may be both broad and specific. A full power of attorney grants the agent extensive powers, whereas a limited power confers more technical advantages.
An estate planning attorney may advise your best course of action.
They can also review your current financial, familial and health situation and advise how to protect yourself and your assets. They can also assist you in creating or updating a testament. Some attorneys bill by the hour, while others may have a flat rate. It would be beneficial to consistently inquire about the price before hiring someone.
They Can Help You Draft a Living Will
While it’s never a pleasant topic, having an estate plan can save your family from dealing with lengthy legal battles and disagreements after your death. The correct lawyer can assist you in drafting a unique set of legal documents that will guarantee your intentions are carried out. They can also help you draft a living will and other advance directives to help make medical decisions in case you become incapacitated. They can also advise you on minimizing taxes, which is important if your estate may be large enough to trigger federal inheritance or estate taxes. When searching for an estate planning lawyer, you should look for one who makes you feel comfortable discussing your concerns. These are very personal issues that need to be addressed, and you want an attorney who will treat them with the utmost confidentiality. A free introductory consultation can be an excellent opportunity to gauge how well you’ll work together.
