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Reference Guides

Executor Responsibilities

When there is an Estate that needs to be settled, an Executor is responsible for ensuring that the orders or directives left in the will by the deceased are followed out as they should be...

Gifting and Taxes

Ask some people about estate and gift taxes and they may tell you that the taxes are designed to unjustly take money from the rich. Ask a different group of people about the same estate and gift...

Challenging a Will

While it is rather rare, wills can be challenged in court, and may even be tossed out for the right reasons. Will challenges tend to be unusual, with approximately 99% going off without a hitch, but there are reasons...

Legal Articles

Roth IRA Conversion: Opportunities for 2010 and Beyond

Contributed by: Marc J. Soss

January 1, 2010 opens a new window of opportunity ...

read more

Credit for Military Service in Your Federal Civil Service Retirement Annuity

Contributed by: Chris Attig

Federal civil service employees and postal workers...

read more

Trusts & Estates: Trusts 101

Contributed by: Marisa Corvisiero

Although not as popular as creating a will, creati...

read more

What is Probate and How do I Avoid Probate?

Contributed by: James Schleiffarth

Probate is, stated simply, a court-supervised proc...

read more


Types of Estate Planning Lawyers:


Spotlight on Estate Planning


Rights of Inheritance Image

Inheritance Rights

Inheritance is a very complicated legal proceedure. Laws vary from state to state, notwithstanding any specific federal tax implications. Having a valid will in place helps to avoid problems typically associated with probate. There are a number of other methods available to minimize the financial obligations you might encure through an inheritance. More>>

If you are seeking legal help regarding financial planning for the future, contact an estate planning lawyer in your area today.

An Estate is the entirety of a property, real and personal, owned by an individual prior to distribution through a trust or will.

Estate planning is the process by which an individual, or nuclear family with the person's consent and approval, arranges the transfer of assets to heirs or other beneficiaries. The reason for this is to provide the family, or anonymous miscellaneous beneficiaries, with legal rights to the property after the individual has passed away.

Aspects of Estate Planning include:

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Uniform Probate Code
  • Gift Tax
  • Dynasty Trust
  • Joint Tenancy

A good Estate Planning lawyer can do more than just manufacture a simple will. Estate planning also typically minimizes potential taxes and fees, and sets up contingency planning to make sure that your wishes regarding which items are allocated and who the main beneficiaries are.

Many trusts are created as an alternative to or in conjunction with a will and other elements of estate planning. State law establishes the framework for determining the validity and limits for both.

An Estate Planner can assist you with organizing your personal and business records such as:

  • Brokerage Accounts
  • Retirement Plans
  • Savings and Checking Accounts
  • Insurance Policies
  • Business and Partnership Interests
  • Debt Personal Property

An Estate Planner can also assist all other possible estate planning law concerns.

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