Wills & Trusts

Reasons to Have a Will

Avoid "Intestacy" - where one passes away without a valid will, state laws dictate the amounts and beneficiaries which usually are not what the deceased would have preferred, and causes a lengthy and timely legal procedure which involves mandatory court intervention
Bequeath your hard earned, valuable or personal possessions to the persons of your choice
Devise your property or design legacies to non-family members or organizations
Donate particular assets to charitable causes and receive tax benefits
Prevent family strife which often leads to disastrous and prohibitively expensive litigation
Include conditions that must be met by heirs in order for them to inherit
Choose a Guardian for minor or dependent children
Appoint an Executor to oversee the collection and initial management of estate assets
Select one or more Trustees to manage and distribute estate assets on a longer-term basis
Provide proper funding and care for minors or disabled individuals
Maximize tax savings and opportunities (with the usage of built-in trusts)
Provide financial comfort and convenience during tragic times
Plan ahead and act responsibly for the welfare and peaceful continuance of one's family

Asset Management for Minors, Addicts, Spendthrifts or Disabled People
Can Provide Protection from Creditors
Maximize Tax Exemptions (By Using the Estate Tax Exemption and Marital Deduction Effectively)
Avoid Costly Probate (see below)
Avoid Court-Ordered Conservatorship Should One Become Disabled
Maintain Privacy (Wills Can be Accessed by Anyone While Trusts Can Not)
Lower Costs (No Court Costs, Filing Fees or Estate Inventory Fees)
Ease of Administration
Lower Likelihood of Someone Contesting