Estate Planning
Trusted Guidance for Your Family's Future
Thoughtful estate planning is about more than just legal documents - it's about preserving your life's work and ensuring your family's future. At Shillinger Law, we take the time to understand your unique situation and goals, then develop customized strategies to protect your assets and provide peace of mind.
Comprehensive Estate Plans Without The Stress and Worry
It's true that Estate Planning can be overwhelming and stressful for most...especially in vulnerable times. Our proprietary, step-by-step process guides you through the complexities in a simplified, compassionate way so you can make informed decisions and have peace of mind.
Estate Planning Services
Will Drafting
Creation of a legal document specifying the distribution of assets and guardianship of minors upon death.
Trust Creation
Setting up various types of trusts (revocable, irrevocable, living, special needs) to manage assets during the grantor's lifetime and after.
Advanced Healthcare Directives
Preparation of legal documents that spell out decisions about end-of-life care ahead of time.
Financial Power of Attorney
Designating an agent to handle financial matters if one becomes unable to do so.
Estate Tax Planning: Strategies to minimize taxes on an estate, ensuring the maximum transfer of wealth to heirs.
Guardianship Designations
Specifying guardians for minor children or dependent adults.
Charitable Giving Planning: Structuring charitable contributions in a way that maximizes tax benefits and legacy goals.
Business Succession Planning
Planning for the seamless transition of business ownership and operations after retirement, disability, or death.
What To Expect
When starting the estate planning process with us, we'll have an initial consultation to understand your specific goals and situation. This helps us develop customized strategies tailored to you. We'll explain key documents like wills, trusts, and powers of attorney, then prepare personalized versions for you to review and approve. Initial estate plans can often be completed within 4-6 weeks. We'll also discuss implementation and funding options like retitling assets. Our team is here to provide education and support every step of the way.
Frequently Asked Questions
The core estate planning documents that everyone needs are a will, a trust, a healthcare power of attorney, and a financial power of attorney. These allow you to designate your wishes, agents, and instructions for both your healthcare and your property if you become incapacitated.
It's recommended to review your estate plan every 3-5 years and definitely after any major life events like marriage, divorce, births, moving, changes in assets, etc. Your plan should evolve with your changing life circumstances.
A main difference is that a will goes through probate court when you pass away, making the details public record. A trust allows your assets to transfer privately to your heirs without court involvement. A trust also becomes effective while you're still alive if you become incapacitated.
With no estate plan in place, your assets will pass through a lengthy probate process after you pass away and may not go to your desired beneficiaries. The court ultimately decides who gets your property, not you.
On average, estate planning costs range from $1,000 - $5,000 depending on the complexity of your assets and plan. It's a worthwhile investment to properly protect your family and property. Ongoing reviews and updates will have additional costs over time.
Think carefully about naming beneficiaries and agents who are organized, responsible, and trustworthy. Your attorney can advise you through this important process. Choose people who will thoughtfully execute your wishes.
Some common strategies are AB trusts, charitable trusts, gifting assets annually, and properly utilizing estate tax exemptions. A knowledgeable attorney can build tax minimization into your customized plan.
Why Our Clients Love Shillinger Law . . .
"Löan not only knows her onions with regard to the law but she was very sympathetic and listened to me. It's pretty lovely when somebody listens and makes sure that what I wanted, I got. She is a wonderful lawyer, a wonderful human being, and you will be in the very best hands when you work with her."
"My sister and I bought a house together, but when she passed away, I found out that the deeds were not set up as we had intended. I came to Löan and thank goodness I did. She helped me navigate through the process of contacting my sister's estranged children of over 20 years and settled the estate through probate.”
"Löan has helped me put together my will, trust, and advance medical directive in order to be prepared and have peace of mind going into my major surgery. She made the process both educational and easy, and we even had a laugh or two along the way, which means a lot at this point in time. Thank you very much for that."