
Estate Planning Resources
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Helpful Resources and Articles
While it is possible to draft simple estate planning documents using do-it-yourself legal resources, the American Bar Association generally does not recommend doing so. Before you hire an estate planning attorney, review these resources so you have an idea of what questions you should ask during your consultation.
Estate Planning Attorneys
Have you ever worked with an attorney before? If not, these pages should help you anticipate what to expect when it comes to cost and the legal process.
Estate Planning Information and Resources
Do you need a trust, a will, both? These resources can help you identify which documents you need to ensure proper transfer of your assets to your heirs.
- How Is a Revocable Living Trust Different Than a Will?
- 7 Tips for Writing an Explanatory Letter for Your Will
- How To Provide For Your Pet After You Die
- How To Avoid Family Disputes Over a Will
- 7 Steps To an Effective Estate Plan
- How Long Does It Take To Create a Trust?
- What Happens to My Debts When I Die?
- The 5 Most Important Estate Planning Documents
Inheritance Laws by State
Each state has different laws and regulations when it comes to the probate process. Learn more about your state's laws here.
Related Resources
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Top Estate Planning Attorneys
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Los Angeles, CA
The Hayes Law Firm
729 Mission Street, South Pasadena, CA 91030Goldfarb & Luu, P.C.
Tarzana, CA 91356Law Office of David Schechet
1901 Avenue of the Stars, 2nd Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90067
Chicago, IL
Heeg Law Offices
111 North Wabash Ave. Ste. 100, Chicago, IL 60602Tuohy Law Offices
17W220 22nd St, Suite 300, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181Newland & Newland LLP
Chicago, IL 60601
Brooklyn, NY
Landskind & Ricaforte Law Group, P.C.
269 86th St, Brooklyn, NY 11209Mishiyeva Law, PLLC.
85 Broad Street, New York, NY 10004Michael F. Kanzer & Associates, P.C.
2214 Kimball Street, Brooklyn, NY 11229
Houston, TX
Nick C. Caridas, Attorney at Law
6575 West Loop S., #250, Bellaire, TX 77401Expertise.com Concierge Service
Houston, TXHegwood Law Group
1700 Post Oak Blvd., 2 Blvd Place, Suite 600, Houston, TX 77058
Phoenix, AZ
Sorrell Law Firm, PLC
7575 E. Redfield Rd., Suite 217, Scottsdale, AZ 85260Desmond Law, PLLC
10575 North 114th Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85259Law Office of John E. Perry Jr., LLC
Anthem, AZ 85086
San Antonio, TX
Kirker Davis LLP
4040 Broadway Street Ste 240-311, San Antonio, TX 78209The Voeller Law Firm
19311 FM 2252, Suite 103, San Antonio, TX 78266Dawson Law, LLP
927 Main Street, Bastrop, TX 78602
Dallas, TX
Kirker Davis, LLP
8310-1 North Capital of Texas Highway, Austin, TX 78731Holman Law
12222 Merit Dr Ste. 1200, Dallas, TX 75251Toronjo & Prosser Law
Dallas, TX 75231
San Diego, CA
Perea Law, APC
32605 Temecula Pkwy, Ste. 314, Temecula, CA 92592Expertise.com Concierge Service
San Diego, CAMcGovern Law Group
9320 Fuerte Drive Ste. 103, La Mesa, CA 91941
San Jose, CA
Copenbarger & Copenbarger LLP - San Jose
1250 Aviation Avenue, San Jose, CA 95110Expertise.com Concierge Service
San Jose, CADel Ponte & Hirz
San Jose, CA 95113
Detroit, MI
Das Law
1983 Fox River Dr., Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304Atlas Law, PLC
598 North Mill Street, Plymouth, MI 48170Gold & Associates, P.C.
Plymouth, MI 48170
Top Estate Planning Attorneys in other locations
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- Estate Planning Attorneys in Las Vegas, NV
- Estate Planning Attorneys in Portland, OR
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- Estate Planning Attorneys in Tucson, AZ
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does an estate planning attorney do?
An estate consists of the total assets that form an individual’s net worth, no matter how large or small. Estate planning attorneys use their in-depth knowledge of state and federal laws to help people best manage what will happen with their estates after they die or become incapacitated. Estate planning attorneys can prepare wills, form trusts, reduce estate tax burdens, and decrease or eliminate the need for probate court.
What are valuable estate planning services an attorney can provide?
With the many intricacies of assets, taxes, and state and federal laws that can affect a person’s estate, an estate planning lawyer can be a valuable professional asset, no matter how large or small a person’s estate may be. An estate planning attorney can:
- Create a comprehensive plan to protect a client's legacy, that includes a will, power of attorney, trusts, life insurance, and advanced medical directives
- Optimize an estate plan as tax laws, life events, assets, and goals change over time
- Protect a client’s loved ones by preventing assets from entering probate
- Help clients designate a person to make important health decisions for them if they become incapacitated
Can estate planning attorneys help create trusts/wills?
Estate planning attorneys can create trusts and wills. Through a will, an attorney can help a client designate their estate’s beneficiaries and assign an executor to represent the will in probate court. These attorneys can also create trusts, allowing a client to assign a trustee to oversee the estate, potentially avoiding probate court and holding assets to be distributed over time.
Is estate planning the same as drafting a will?
While both estate plans and wills officially document how their owners wish to allocate certain assets after their death, there are key differences. In estate planning, a will is often just one of several documents that form a comprehensive plan. In a will, people must designate a person responsible for executing their will after their death. The will can include guardians for their children when they die and beneficiaries to receive an inheritance of money, property, and other assets.
What are the steps involved in estate planning?
To create a thorough and effective estate plan, individuals should follow these steps:
- Prepare a will that designates an estate executor; indicate who will receive what assets, and assign a trust and guardians for any children. Consider using an attorney if the will is in any way complex.
- To avoid probate, have an attorney create a revocable living trust.
- Assign beneficiaries to other assets, such as life insurance policies, retirement plans, and securities.
- Use an attorney to prepare a living will, name a health care proxy, and create a HIPAA release form.
- Update the plan every five years.
How long does the estate planning process last?
The length of the process can vary greatly depending on the size and complexity of the estate, the specific law office, and whether there’s an emergency or urgent need. If you’re using an attorney, you can generally expect it to take one to five weeks. You may be able to speed up the process by immediately providing your attorney with any bank statements or other documents they need.
What is a trust?
A trust is an agreement between a grantor, a trustee, and a beneficiary. In this agreement, the grantor allocates funds or real property assets to the trustee to be held either until the grantor passes away or until a specific, agreed-upon date. At that point, it's the responsibility of the trustee to distribute funds or property to the beneficiary or beneficiaries. While there are similarities between a will and a trust, a will is a more comprehensive document that typically requires probate court, while a trust allows assets to pass to the beneficiary without probate.
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