Estate Planning/Wills/Trusts - Its all about the planning. By law your property will go to your next of kin even without a will. If you have a spouse and/or children then generally shares will go to each as provided by statute. However, a probate proceeding is required unless you plan out what will happen in the event of your demise. Trusts are used to avoid probate and the costs associated with it. Wills are used to control the distribution of assets in a probate proceeding especially when you want something different than state law or plan to exclude someone.

Probate - Probate is a legal proceeding used to pay or adjudicate just debts of the deceased, identify and account for all property of the deceased, and eventually pass good title to property to the next owner. Probate can be expensive but is sometimes necessary to clear up ownership.

Guardianship/Conservatorship - These probate proceedings are used to help the living but incapacitated manage their affairs. That may be a Minor Child who receives money in a lawsuit to someone who is or becomes mentally incompetent for whatever reason that causes the disability. Guardianships are about the physical relationships, who watches over the person. Conservatorships are about the financial affairs of the person.

Powers of Attorney/Living Wills - There may come a time when you cannot make decisions for yourself or you need to give someone else control. During those times it helps to have someone designated to assist you in your financial matters or health care decisions. Sometimes you need someone designated to care for your minor children. We can help you select the appropriate Power of Attorney for your needs.