Estate Planning

Estate planning is a necessary, yet oftentimes, difficult process that includes the arrangement for the transfer of assets, including personal property, in anticipation of death.

Estate planning is a task best done with an expert at your side. Goldstein Law has over thirty years of experience in ensuring that our clients preserve the maximum amount of wealth for their intended beneficiaries and the flexibility to adjust those plans as needed.

 

Probate

Probate is typically addressed with estate planning, and includes proving in court that a deceased person’s will is valid, as well as identifying and inventorying the deceased person’s property prior to distribution to intended beneficiaries. It is also a necessary step to ensure creditors to the estate are notified properly.

This can be a trying time for loved ones of the person who has passed away. Having a partner like Goldstein Law at their side throughout this process can help ease legal and financial burdens, so they may focus on other important matters.

 

Click on each item below to learn about what our Business and Corporate Law practice includes:

Estate Administration

If you are the administrator of a loved one’s estate you may view your job as a daunting task. Estate administration entails collecting and creating an inventory  of all assets within the estate; collecting and paying debts and taxes; and distributing the remaining assets to beneficiaries. We are glad to walk you through this process, and make this responsibility more manageable for you and your family members.

Asset Protection

Your estate plan should be carefully drafted to ensure your assets are afforded maximum protection when you pass on. Our office routinely drafts the necessary documents to make sure your assets pass to your loved ones without being tied up in an unnecessarily lengthy probate process. Our office can also recommend and draft strategies to minimize the tax impact when these assets are transferred to your intended recipients.

Trust Creation and Administration

A trust is a legal document that appoints a third party to hold your assets for the benefit of your loved ones. A trust can be an effective tool in avoiding probate and minimizing taxation of your assets upon your death. A proper trust can ensure your assets are distributed to your intended beneficiaries without the added time and costs of the probate process.

Trust and Estate Dispute Resolution (TEDRA)

Unfortunately, disputes often arise over the distribution of assets after a loved one has passed away. Legal disputes can be expensive, create family discord, and cause stress and frustration for all parties involved. Mediating a peaceful resolution to these types of disputes can resolve these issues.  TEDRA is a state statute designed to help the parties reach a resolution in a timely and efficient manner without the burdensome costs of litigation. A TEDRA agreement can help bring fair closure and peace of mind to you and your loved ones during a difficult time.

Contested Wills

A will contest is formal objection raised against the validity of a will, based on the contention that the will does not reflect the actual intent of the person who made the will. If you suspect that the will of a loved one was unduly influenced by a third party, or that your loved one was not able to fully understand the legal nature of his or her Last Will and Testament when executed, you may be able to contest the validity of the will on these grounds. We advise careful consideration prior to contesting a loved one’s will. Your rights and options are our paramount concerns when you are faced with these difficult decisions.

When it comes to estate planning, peace of mind is invaluable. Contact us to start the conversation.