Wills & Estate PLANNING
How will you transfer your assets to your heirs in the most efficient and least costly manner? Non-probate transfers, when properly done, can help you achieve the transfer of your assets to loved ones in the manner in which you desire after your death. Non-probate transfers, such as TOD designations, can be achieved fairly easily and at low cost. Proper beneficiary designations can cause a direct transfer of property without it going through probate. Brandon Stafford can help you with non-probate transfers.
If you own many items of valuable property and want to control its distribution after your death, you may want a Trust. Other reasons to have a Trust are to protect assets from potential nursing home expenses. There are different types of Trusts and there are other ways to protect the property you have worked so hard for your entire life. Mr. Stafford will discuss the pros and cons of a Trust, as well as other actions you can take, so that you can make the right decision.
Whether you have a Trust or not, you should have a Last Will and Testament in place so that your heirs know how you want to dispose of any remaining property you may have that was not otherwise covered.
Estate planning also includes health care planning, such as powers of attorney for health care decisions and living wills. You may also wish to have financial or general powers of attorney as part of your estate plan. There are different types of powers of attorney.
If you would like to speak to a lawyer about estate planning, Brandon Stafford would be happy to help you. If a loved one has passed and an estate needs to be opened, Mr. Stafford can help your family through probate court process as well.