Trusted Estate Planning Lawyer

Your estate is simply all of your assets, possessions, and property. Everyone has an estate, regardless of its size. An estate planning lawyer is available to assist you in making sure that your desires and goals are met with the necessary legal documents. Johnson & Johnson, Ltd. offers the professional expertise needed to put together a plan for your estate.

What is an Estate Plan?

An estate plan is a group of documents that determines how to resolve issues regarding your assets, finances, and health. An estate plan is utilized prior to and after your death and you are in control of it. In addition to finances and health, an estate plan should also designate guardians to care for any minor children in the event of your death. You may choose to utilize any or all of the available legal documents in order to provide for your needs. An estate planning lawyer will review your situation in order to create an estate plan that is best for your specific situation.

Estate Planning Basics

A basic estate plan considers your wishes in regards to the important aspects of your finances and final wishes. It also provides for tax advantages based on current laws. Part of your estate plan will require you to appoint an executor, who will oversee the process after your death. Consult with the appointee (usually a family member or close friend) to make sure that he or she knows about your will and other documents and understands your wishes. This makes it easier to carry out your desires. Your estate planning lawyer will help you choose the person that will best take care of this function.

Reasons to Have an Estate Plan

An estate plan is essential for every adult. One of the most significant reasons to put an estate plan in place is to avoid probate. Probate is a legal process that distributes funds from your estate after your death. Without a will, your assets may not be properly divided and in fact your family could end up without the property you intended them to have. For these reasons, it is imperative that you put even a simple plan into place. A skilled estate planning lawyer will help you put together an estate plan that will make it easier for your family members to work through the emotional turmoil after your death.

Making an Estate Plan

An estate plan should be as complete as possible. It may include any or all of the following:

• Last Will and Testament
• Living Will
• Power of Attorney
• Trust

It is imperative that you create a plan that follows the law while providing the best solutions for your situation. A qualified estate planning lawyer is helpful in this process. Your estate planning lawyer will review your information and give you assistance in working through the process of creating the needed documents. Documents must be properly drafted and executed in order to be legal.

Last Will and Testament

The last will and testament, also simply called a will, is a document that provides for the division of your assets after your death. If you die without a will it is called intestate, and your wishes may not be fulfilled. You must have a will in place to properly provide for and protect your loved ones. A qualified estate planning lawyer knows how to write and execute a last will and testament document.

Living Will

A living will is a legal document that allows you to determine your medical care should you be unable to make decisions due to incapacitation. The living will is also known as a healthcare directive. It includes the medical decisions you specify, leaving your relatives and doctors aware of your wishes. A living will is designed to be used during your life and does not have further use after death, except to specify organ donation if desired. Among other things, a living will allows you to decide under what circumstances extreme lifesaving measures should not be taken. A skilled estate planning lawyer knows how to write and execute a living will document.

Power of Attorney

If you become ill or are unable to make financial decisions, then you may provide for this situation ahead of time with a power of attorney document. This important item will help your family and loved ones take care of your affairs while you are unable to do so. Power of attorney may be permanent or temporary. Consult with an estate planning lawyer to choose the option that best fits your needs.

Trusts

A trust is a legal way to hold property or assets. A living trust is managed by you during your life, allowing you to make necessary changes. The trust may include another person, who will manage it after your death. The trust functions as a way to control your assets both before and after your death. There may be some tax benefits to a trust, which you can discuss in more detail with your estate planning lawyer.

How an Estate Planning Lawyer Will Help

A reputable estate planning lawyer is of immense help to anyone putting together an estate plan. Your estate planning lawyer will review all of your information and assist in providing you with the options and choices needed to give you the protection you desire. An estate plan gives you peace of mind in knowing that your loved ones will be properly cared for after your death.

Choose an Estate Planning Lawyer

At Johnson & Johnson, Ltd. we take pride in providing our clients with high quality, professional legal services. Our estate planning attorneys are skilled in estate planning and will work with you to ensure that you make the best decision possible. Contact us today to learn how you can get your finances in order with the help from an estate planning lawyer.