“Estate Planning” is legal terminology for preparing for your disability and death.
Most people assume that trusts only matter when you’re gone, or that a will is all you need, but both of those ideas are misconceptions. And while many people know they should complete an estate plan, they are scared off by the complexity, or worry that the costs are more than they can handle right now. If you know you should complete an estate plan but have been putting it off, now is the time to act.
Our Estate Planning Process:
Stock Legal is proud to offer fixed-fee estate plans to individuals and families. We have simplified the process to ensure that your family is cared for. Discover our five-step estate planning process below:
1. Meet with you to discuss your family and finances.
During our free initial consultation, you teach us about your family and your assets, and we teach you about tax law and the estate plan the state provides you, if you don’t plan for yourself.
2. Design your plan.
We design your plan with you step-by-step, through each phase of your family’s lives: the present, potential incapacity, death, and children’s and grandchildren’s lives through the generations.
3. Review and sign your documents.
We won’t let you sign your documents until we sit with you and go through each instrument, making sure everything is as you planned it to be, and that you have no lingering questions that can blossom into dreadful concerns.
4. Transfer assets to your trust.
This is the number one reason why many estate plans fail. In order for a living trust to be effective, you shouldn’t own your assets in your individual name – your trust should. Stock Legal is unique in that we change ownership and beneficiaries on your property and other assets to make sure your plan works the way you want it to.
5. Reviews.
No more worrying about who’s named as guardians for your kids, or the trustees of your trust, or whether law changes affect your family – we’ve got you covered. We recommend returning to us every 2-5 years to screen for any changes that need to be made. These changes will be billed on an hourly basis.
Estate Administration
The death of a family member or friend can already be one of the most difficult experiences of your life. On top of all that, you may need help transferring their assets from their name to their heirs. This is typically done through the probate court in the county in which the deceased person resided. Whether it is full estate administration, a small estate affidavit, creditor’s refusal, spousal refusal, or other action with the court, we can help you process these legal actions during your painful time.
Learn More
Choosing counsel for estate planning is a big decision, so you want to be sure you have it right. Take a look at our blog for articles and commentary on a wide range of estate planning topics. If you’re ready to get things moving, schedule an initial call to discuss your goals and any questions or concerns you have about the process.
