Estate Planning

Foundational Estate Planning

The goal of the foundational plan is to help you save money, prevent problems, and provide peace of mind for you and your family. Every plan starts with either a Will or a Revocable Living Trust as the foundational piece. Then we add supporting pieces to support the foundation. These include a Durable Power of Attorney to help with financial matters, and a healthcare suite including an Advance Healthcare Directive, health privacy documents, and guardian nominations for minor children.

Advanced Estate Planning

The focus of advanced estate planning includes minimizing or eliminating estate taxes, planning for unique family assets (the beach house or vacation home), and structuring the transfer of family wealth in a manner that both protects and supports the next generation. There are a variety of strategies available to you if your needs extend beyond foundational planning.

Blended Families

If you are a member of a blended family, there are important additional issues you must address in your estate plan, such as making sure the surviving spouse and each spouse's children are provided for no matter which spouse passes away first. This also includes planning for the possibility of incapacity or disability.

Charitable Planning

Are you passionate about a particular cause or organization? There are many strategies you can include in your estate plan to accomplish your charitable goals. Many of them can be put in motion during your lifetime, allowing you to see the benefit of your gift. And depending on the approach you choose, you may also receive income tax, estate tax, or capital gains tax benefits. We work with you to help you choose the best integrated planned giving approach and implement that plan that is created.

Business Succession Planning

The family business is often the largest asset in an estate, and a lack of planning for proper transition of the business is one of the largest reasons for the failure of family businesses. We can help you create an orderly plan for transition of ownership if you become incapacitated, suffer a divorce, pass away, or just wish to retire.