estate planning
Estate planning is the concept of arranging for the distribution of a person's estate upon his or her death. Estate planning includes planning for incapacity, appointing guardians to care for minor children, and otherwise expressing one's wishes. Estate planning can include tax planning and trust creation. Estate planning is unique to each individual's situation. Whether a person is single, married, or in a non-marital relationship, is with or without children, or has a large estate or minimal assets, everyone can benefit from an estate plan.
While there are many different estate-planning techniques, the most common documents are a Will, Power of Attorney, and Health Care Directive.
- A Will allows you to appoint a Personal Representative (Executor) of your estate and to distribute your assets according to your wishes. A Will may also nominate a guardian for your minor children and establish trusts for their benefit.
- A Power of Attorney allows you to give a person of your choosing the power to handle your banking, business, property, or other transactions if you are incapacitated or physically unable to do so yourself.
- A Health Care Directive, or living will, is a document in which you can state preferences or provide instructions for your health care if you are unable to do so. You can also appoint an individual, or individuals, to make decisions concerning your health care.
Jennifer R. Lewis Kannegieter, Attorney at Law, will gather information about your family, your estate, and your wishes before explaining your estate planning options. She will assist you in creating the estate plan that is right for you.
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