Wills & Estates/Powers of Attorney
We recommend that most everyone have, and keep up to date, the following documents:
- Last Will & Testament
- Advanced Declaration of Guardian
- HIPAA Release (Release of Medical Information)
- Living Will (Directive to Physicians)
- Medical Power of Attorney
- Statutory Durable Power of Attorney (Financial Power of Attorney)
For many people, these documents are sufficient to handle their estate planning matters so they can rest at ease and have some assurance that their affairs will be handled in an orderly and timely fashion and address their wishes and desires.
Working with clients to pull these documents together is generally not a time-consuming matter and can be handled at a reasonable cost.
Trusts
Trusts can also play a role in planning. Depending on the trust, it might provide for estate management while alive AND after death (commonly called a living or intervivos, trust), or it might only come into play after death (commonly called a testamentary trust).
If you have minor children, a testamentary trust for your children (testamentary trust) is often appropriate.
Other Related Matters
We also handle property agreements, such as:
- Premarital Agreements
- Marital Agreements
- Co-Habitation Agreements