Individual Estate Documents

Below are some of the other individual estate documents we handle. Contact us today to find the right plan for you!

Revocable Living Trust

Remove probate and personalize

A Revocable Living Trust is a tool used in estate planning and can be amended and revoked during the trustee’s lifetime. Upon their death, the trust becomes irrevocable and can no longer be changed or amended. Having this document provides the opportunity to put assets in the trust and avoid the lengthy and costly process of probate.  A trust also ensures your estate is distributed in accordance with your wishes. 

Last Will & Testament

Instructions to probate

A Will is a tool used in estate planning. Having this document does not avoid probate, but it can ensure your estate is distributed in accordance with your wishes. A Pour Over Will is used as part of a trust estate plan. Assets without proper beneficiaries can be “poured over” to an established trust. Both types of Wills also allow individuals with minors to appoint guardianship over minor children. Without established legal guardianship in place, a court will decide to whom minors will be awarded.

Financial Power of Attorney

Determine your Financial Representative

Perhaps one of the most forgotten estate planning tools is the financial power of attorney or durable power of attorney. A power of attorney is a legal document that allows you to designate who can act financially on your behalf in case of your incompetence.

These actions may include:

  • Sign Your Checks

  • Pay Your Bills

  • Sell Your Property

  • Make Deposits and Withdrawals

  • Manage Insurance Policies

  • Help With Taxes

  • Help With Government Benefits

  • Help With investments

Life is unpredictable, and you do not know if you will ever be put into a position where you will not be able to make these decisions. Without a power of attorney in place, your family may be unable to assist you with these important tasks. Perhaps worse, they may be forced to pursue a guardianship or conservatorship in probate court.

Healthcare Power of Attorney

Determine your Healthcare Advocate

Many times, an individual becomes ill and is unable to communicate his or her wishes regarding health care decisions.  A healthcare power of attorney allows individuals to make pre-determined choices regarding end-of-life decisions.

A healthcare power of attorney eliminates the need for court involvement, and the treating physician knows who has the authority to make medical decisions.

Without a durable power of attorney, a conservator would have to be appointed by the probate court. This typically requires a probate court hearing and testimony from medical professionals.

Quit Claim Deeds

Protect your home from probate

A quit claim deed is commonly used to transfer property to a revocable living trust. Upon the death of the trustee(s), the property can easily be transferred to the beneficiaries through the living trust, avoiding probate.  Another type of quit claim deed used is called a Ladybird deed. This document deeds a property to a person or persons upon the owner(s) death.

Trust Amendment

Update your wishes

A trust amendment is a legal document you use to make changes to your revocable living trust. Trust amendments are used to change certain trust provisions, which are the terms or “rules” you've set in your trust document.

Will Codicil

Update your directions to probate

Similar to a trust amendment, a codicil is a legal document you use to make changes to your will. A codicil is used to change certain provisions in your will, which are the terms or “rules” you've set in your will document.