Trusts, which can be revocable (“living”) or irrevocable, can play significant roles in estate planning, serving a broad range of purposes. A revocable trust, for example, because it can take an estate out of the trustor’s ownership, can avoid the cost, possible delays, and public disclosure of probate. On the other hand, specific types of irrevocable trusts can perform important functions, such as:

• Diminish the estate’s tax burden
• Provide funds for a special needs child while maintaining
• their eligibility for government benefits (special needs trust)
• Protect a beneficiary who has difficulty managing money or
  who is addicted to substances or gambling (spendthrift trust)
• Hold assets safely for minor children until they reach maturity (minor’s trust)

There are many other types of irrevocable trusts. Our trust attorney will customize your estate plan to meet your particular needs and wishes.

Asset Protection

Protecting assets is a primary concern for most of our clients. We can help you protect your assets from:

• Costly probate
• Excessive taxation
• Creditors
• Divorcing spouses
• Lawsuit settlements
• Dangerous scams

Our asset protection attorney has several tools to protect your assets, including irrevocable trusts, Limited Liability Corporations, and liability insurance.

Incapacity Planning

Incapacity planning addresses the discomforting reality that anyone can become incapacitated at any time — by a severe injury, a sudden medical event (e.g. heart attack, stroke, aneurysm), or worsening illness. We will see to it that your health concerns, your assets, and your family members are protected by the following essential documents:

• Durable Power of Attorney that will allow the person you designate to handle all legal and financial matters on your behalf
• Last Will and Testament names your personal representative (aka executor), your beneficiaries, and a guardian for your minor children, and states your wishes regarding your funeral, memorial, burial, or cremation after you pass away
• Health Care Surrogate Designation designates the individual you want to make your healthcare decisions when you are unable to do so
• Advance Directive / Living Will clarifies your wishes about your end-of-life care
• HIPAA authorization provides loved ones you name with access to your medical records in spite of healthcare privacy laws.

Each of these documents will help prevent family disagreements and avoid additional stress for your loved ones during a terribly difficult time.