Estate Planning

Ashley Day Law provides comprehensive estate planning to individuals and families.

We help our clients prepare for unexpected incapacity or death, to ensure both that their family and loved ones have the ability to care for them and that their assets are transferred at their passing in accordance with their goals and wishes. We design and create proper estate plans for our clients, review beneficiary designations, and advise our clients to ensure trusts are funded.

Establishing your estate plan is one of the most important steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones during your lifetime, in case of disability, and at your death. A well-thought-out and comprehensive estate plan can prevent the need for someone to obtain guardianship in the future, lessen administrative costs associated with the transfer of assets at death, and help smooth familial relations.

Our estate planning services include:

  • Forming Living, Irrevocable Protection Trusts
  • Assisting with Beneficiary Designations and Other Non-Probate Transfers
  • Drafting Wills, Living Trusts, Healthcare Directives, Powers of Attorney, and Other Planning Documents
  • Advising Executors, Administrators, Trustees, and Guardians
  • Developing Caregiver Agreements and Other Family Agreements
  • Post-Mortem Planning

While estate planning often includes a variety of items among those listed above, foundational estate planning includes, at least, wills, durable powers of attorney, advance healthcare directives, HIPAA authorizations, and a stand-alone or testamentary supplemental needs trust if you have a loved one with special needs. These instruments are critical to ensure your wishes are followed. A properly designed and implemented estate plan also can help you accomplish additional goals, such as:

  • Providing financial security for your family
  • Ensuring your property is preserved and passed on to your beneficiaries
  • Avoiding disputes among family members, business owners, or with third parties (such as the IRS)
  • Providing for your children’s or grandchildren’s education
  • Providing for your favorite charity
  • Maintaining control over or ensuring the competent management of your property in case of incapacity
  • Minimizing tax consequences and other costs
  • Avoiding probate
  • Providing adequate liquidity for the settlement of your estate
  • Transferring ownership of your business to your beneficiaries
  • Passing on your values, sense of responsibility, and work ethic to heirs

Every family situation is unique. We work with you and your other professional advisors, including financial planners, accountants, and/or other attorneys who are familiar with your goals and concerns to determine what options work best for you and your family and ensure their implementation.

By protecting your estate and yourself, you are protecting your family and sparing them the expense, delay, and frustration that occurs when family members fail to plan. No estate plan is “one size fits all.” As priorities change, plans can be modified. It’s never too early – or too late – to plan. Give us a call. We’re here to help.

Plan for Peace of Mind

Planning for the unforeseen circumstances in life shouldn’t be a burden—it’s an act of love that protects, provides, and empowers the ones you love most. Ready to plan for your family’s future? Give us a call today.

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