What Is Estate Planning?
Many people in Westchester County think of meeting with estate planning lawyers as fearful, as too much hassle, or as a process to be undertaken years from now.
Estate planning is an investment in the future well being of your loved ones. The investment is not in stocks or bonds, but in the ongoing business of life, a business that began before you were born and will continue, with your help, after you pass on.
Regardless of income, everyone needs an estate plan. People with less income need plans as carefully wrought as those with extensive assets. The word estate can also be deceiving because some of the most important documents in an estate plan have to do with you, what will happen if you are incapacitated and who can make important medical and financial decisions for you.
Putting together an estate plan
Knowing you need an estate plan is the first step toward getting your personal and business affairs in order. Working with an estate planning lawyer in Westchester County can help you define your goals and wishes. Properly drafted estate plans help with the following:
• Provide direction for distribution and disposal of your assets after your death
• Allow you to provide long-term financial support to loved ones
• Provide specific direction as to your own medical wishes should you become incapacitated
• Allow you to name individuals qualified to make long-term medical and financial decisions for you
• Help you and your heirs avoid costly taxes and the probate process
Estate planning lawyers can draft the documents you will need to get started:
• Living will
• Advanced medical directive
• Trust documents
• Will
• Financial power of attorney
Estate planning is a gift to the future, to move the possessions and assets you gathered forward, and to allow others to make use of all the good work you did in your own lifetime. Make it count. Start making your plan today.
Contact a Westchester County estate planning lawyer
With decades of experience as an estate planning attorney, Cormac McEnery, Esq. provides skilled legal counsel and representation on matters of estate planning, elder care, trusts, and estate representation in New York City, Westchester, Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Contact us today or call 1-888-368-4329 to schedule a free consultation.
When Should I Plan My Will?
There is no right time to begin planning your will. However, a team of experienced lawyers can help you set up your will in about one week and give you the peace of mind you deserve. While creating a will may seem like a complex process, knowledgeable St. Louis County probate lawyers can guide you through the process and answer any question you may have.
Why do I need a will?
In your will, you explain how you want your property distributed after you pass away. You can leave your property to one person, multiple people, or even to charity. Your will also allows you to appoint who will handle your affairs when you are gone—usually an executor or possibly a trustee. If you have children, you can use your will to name a guardian to take care of them.
If you do not have a will, Missouri law decides how your property will be distributed, who will handle your affairs, and guardianship of your children. A will ensures that your affairs will be handled the way you want.
What attributes should an estate lawyer possess?
Hiring a trustworthy attorney is important if you need assistance with any aspect of estate planning. Below are the attributes to look for in an estate planning attorney:
- Experience: The most important attribute to look for is experience. The lawyer you hire must have substantial experience handling wills, probate, and other estate matters. Seasoned lawyers have likely handled cases similar to your own.
- Knowledge: Few areas require such a knowledgeable command of the law as estate planning. Your lawyer must be able to assist you with any aspect of estate planning from wills and probate to setting up a Missouri guardianship. The attorney you choose must have an in-depth understanding of local laws and tax law as well.
- Respect: Whether you are planning a will or seeking to have a will probated, you deserve the highest level of respect. The probate lawyers you choose must provide you with personalized and dependable legal service.
Trusted legal services for your family
Since 1975, the Ballwin, Missouri estate planning lawyers of Case, Rajnoha & Boudreau have been helping families resolve their legal issues in St. Louis County and elsewhere—including wills, probate, trusts, guardianship, and more. Call us at (636) 552-4872 or contact us online to schedule your free initial phone consultation. We look forward to hearing from you.
Consulting a Law Firm Can Mean Smoother Business Operations
In the business world of today, businesses that can adapt quickly to changing conditions are the ones that survive. Whenever possible, you should consult with a law firm that has the expertise to handle the legal issues surrounding new products, production plants, methods of financing, employee agreements, mergers, acquisitions, and reorganizations so that you can focus on using your expertise to improve your business.
Employing a particular lawyer in the long run for all your legal needs can come in handy when there is a commercial litigation against you. Such a lawyer is likely to know your business dynamics and be aware of your way of seeing problems. Accordingly, your lawyer can defend you when the need arises.
Over a period of time during expansion or the development of new products and services, your Cincinnati lawyer can take care of all the legal details in your new business operations. And if need be, your attorney can refer you to the right attorney in a specific geography if you are starting a new operation elsewhere. Given the fact that business laws in U.S states vary, it is important that your lawyer be familiar with both Ohio and federal laws, while also having the resources to investigate the laws of other states when necessary.
Having a general practice attorney by your side can help you with other legal needs such as:
• Wills and testaments
• Estates and trusts
• Insurance bad faith
• Employment law
For your business and personal needs, a general practice attorney with a strong business law background can smooth the way.
Information in this post gathered in association with Nassau county divorce lawyers
Real Estate and the Law
Real estate law is one of the most specialized areas of the legal profession. Because real estate can be complex and involve large sums of money, you may need the expertise of a real estate lawyer.
Real estate matters may come up in any of the following categories:
- Commercial real estate
- Residential real estate
- Real estate contracts
- Real estate closings
During the current economic conditions, commercial real estate requires careful handling and consideration due to high unemployment and a high inventory of empty office space. Mistakes can be costly. The assistance of a real estate attorney in drafting lease and sublease documents, for example, can be vital.
If you are buying a home or selling one in Tampa, legal counsel can be essential. You can reach out to a Tampa real estate lawyer for the following services:
- Devising contract
- Closing a contract
- Dealing with lenders, investors, and brokers
- Reviewing paperwork, survey, title report, and loan documents
- Coordinating use and occupancy arrangements
A Tampa attorney is also likely to have good advice about specific Tampa real estate legal issues, issues, and opportunities. A real estate attorney may also be able to help you with your loan modification needs. Finally, before you sign any contract involving real estate, you should review all terms of the contract with the assistance of your lawyer.