For Clients

When and Why Should I Look Into Planning my Estate?

When

Estate planning is not necessarily a one-time task. Your strategy should change as your life evolves. Here are examples of when clients need to consider creating and changing their estate plans.

• As a family with young children
• Procurement of wealth or property
• As children reach maturity
• Retirement

At Searles Law Office, we can work with you at any of these stages. Ultimately, we strive to build a relationship that leads to a partnership in the lifetime process of estate planning.

Why

During our lifetimes, there are many circumstances that can create absolute chaos for you and your loved ones without careful planning. Here are examples of possible issues and the benefits of having a plan in place.

Issue: Lifetime Management of Assets in the event of Incapacity.
Benefits: Assurance that family will have the tools to take care of Mom’s and Dad’s estate and finances.

Issue: Avoiding need for appointment of Guardian or Conservator.
Benefits:Eliminating family discord over financial issues.

Issue: Ability to name the person or persons to handle your financial affairs.
Benefits: Peace of mind.

Issue Health Care Matters

  • Benefits Designating who will make lifetime medical decisions for the client.
  • Indicating cremation or burial preferences.
  • Avoiding family disagreements over long-term care issues, life support or funeral arrangements.
  • Facilitating communications and decision-making between family members and health-care providers.
  • Peace of mind.

Issue Probate Avoidance

  • Benefits Assurance that assets can be sold, distributed or utilized without court intervention.
  • Avoiding the six to twenty-four month probate period with the attendant delays and inconvenience.
  • Avoiding the public nature, cost and aggravation of probate.
  • Ease of Estate or Trust Administration.

Issue Capital Gain Tax Management

  • Benefits Proper planning can reduce or eliminate capital gain taxes after the first death of a married couple.
  • Significant tax savings to the family who may wish to dispose of a vacation
  • home or other appreciated assets at the first death.

Issue Inheritance

  • Benefits Ensuring that children and /or charities receive what you intend.
  • Avoiding family discord and arguments over personal property.
  • Taking care of loans or lifetime advances.
  • Supporting needy children as situation requires.

Issue Client Service

  • Benefits Professional yet personal advice.
  • Prompt completion of appropriate documents.
  • Clear instruction for necessary client follow-up actions.
  • Friendly, cost-effective legal counsel.
  • Home visits as may be needed.
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