The two most popular forms of estate planning are wills and living trusts.

Will - A will is a very important legal document when it comes to deciding how your personal affairs should be handled after you die. If you don't make a Will be your death, state law will determine who gets your property (and it may very well end up in the hands of someone you would rather not have the property go to).

While it is true that anyone can draft a will, we suggest that you consult one of our attorneys who will take time to explain to you the many potential complexities of estate planning, gift taxes, and estate taxes. Our lawyers will assist you in making sure that your Will contains your wishes as you would like them to be carried out.

Living Trust - Trusts established during a person's life are called living trusts. They can be Revocable or Irrevocable in nature. A Revocable Trust means that it can be changed, modified or discontinued. An Irrevocable Trust cannot be changes, modified or discontinued once established.

The biggest advantage of establishing a trust is that upon your death, the trust avoids probate and the costs associated with probate, unlike a Will.

A living trust is not a gift, so there's no gift tax consequences once established, all your assets transfer to the trust and belongs to the trust. As trustee, you maintain control.

Our lawyers will help you better understand the differences and assist you in deciding which estate planning option is best for you depending on your family and financial situation.

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