Seasoned Estate Planning Lawyer Providing a Basic Estate Planning Package to Mission Bay Residents
Thinking about estate planning can quickly become overwhelming. There are so many aspects to consider and multiple documents to put in place. Fortunately, the Law Offices of Steven J. Asarch is here to help you complete the estate planning process in a straightforward way. We offer a Basic Estate Planning package that simplifies the entire process, allowing you to take the necessary steps to secure your legacy. This basic package includes the preparation of four key documents: a will, a living trust, a power of attorney, and a health care advance directive. With the completion of these four essential documents, you can feel confident in knowing that your future (and that of your family) is being properly safeguarded.
Putting a Will in Place
You are probably aware that a will is a legal document that communicates your wishes about how you would like your estate to be distributed after you pass away. We will work closely with you to draft a will that includes clear and precise language, ensuring that your vision for the dispersement of your estate is upheld after you are gone.
Why Do I Need a Will?
Some people wonder why a will is important. If you pass on without putting a will in place, the disbursement of your estate is handled by Florida state courts. When this happens, you can imagine the battles and disputes that can arise among your loved ones as they try to negotiate the allocation of your assets. Having a clear set of instructions, in the form of a will, for your loved ones to follow makes the distribution of your estate a much smoother process.
Many online services provide generic forms that you can use to draft a will on your own. However, when it comes to protecting your family’s future, do you really want to use impersonal forms that do not address your specific wishes? Our firm values a customized approach; we will work with you to understand your unique circumstances and help you plan your estate in a way that best suits your needs.
Setting Up a Living Trust
Once a person passes away, the will enters probate. During probate, a number of events occur that eventually lead to the distribution of the estate. Many of these events take place in court, which means that your sensitive information could entered into public record. If you wish to avoid probate, you may be interested in forming a revocable living trust. The trust assumes ownership of your estate during your lifetime, and you retain control over it until you become incapacitated. In the event of your incapacitation, an agent, whom you have previously nominated, assumes control over the trust. Upon your death, the trust dissolves and the estate is dispersed according to your specifications.
Assigning Power of Attorney
When you are unable to convey your decisions regarding a medical, legal, or business matter, you will rely upon a trusted person who can take action on your behalf. When you put a power of attorney in place, you bestow authority to someone you deeply trust to make decisions for you and ensure that your wishes are carried out. We will help you identify a trustworthy individual and put the necessary structures in place long before they are actually needed.
Designating Health Care Advance Directives and Health Care Surrogates
It is a common misconception that a will specifies your wishes about major healthcare decisions. In fact, in order to ensure that you receive the medical interventions you want, you need to complete health care advance directives, such as a living will, health care power of attorney, a do not resuscitate order (DNRO), and other documents that address your health care preferences. We will help you put these important documents in place, giving you the peace of mind knowing that your wishes will be clearly communicated and respected.
