Top Estate Planning Lawyers Near Me

Estate planning is the act of setting up legal papers for organizing a person’s assets following death or becoming incapacitated. An estate planning lawyer can support you in making directions for the probate court when choosing your beneficiaries and loved ones.

There is value in having documents such as wills, living wills, living trusts, revocable trusts, powers of attorney and medical directives. If you plan your estate, you can resolve probate, possibly avoid tax, ensure good long-term care and health care, set up protection for your assets and give yourself and your family some peace of mind.

If you pass away without planning your estate, a probate court (also known as a surrogate court) will follow state law to determine how your assets should be distributed after your death. A probate lawyer studies legal matters for the court to manage the distribution of your assets because you had no will or trust.

When an estate planning attorney prepares a will for you during life, it can make the probate process easier and things less complicated as assets are divided per your instruction. On the other hand, if your estate lawyer creates a trust alongside your will, probate (and going to court) may be avoided altogether by your trust.

Even though probate laws are different in each state, solid estate planning from a lawyer can help you handle your state’s requirements. Most law offices providing services in these fields will consult with you for free or charge you a set fee so you can get details on their experience and appropriate advice.

A law firm can meet your estate planning needs by creating documents to account for your real estate, personal property, your special needs such as your preferred nursing home (or avoidance of one) during incapacitation or other elder care scenarios, health care proxies, Medicaid planning, and more.

You may also find out through an initial consultation how probate laws do or don’t intersect with family law and personal injury across several states, including California, New York and New Jersey. Because state law and individual circumstances are unique, hiring an estate planning attorney is advised especially if you own substantial assets and want to properly plan your future (and your family’s future) accordingly.