FAQs

It depends on what you need.  At your free initial consultation, I will listen to your concerns, make recommendations, and tell you the flat fee for my services.  That will be your only cost.  I don’t sell financial products like annuities.  If you decide at the initial meeting that you don’t want to engage my services, there will be no cost to you.

Call me.  I’ll provide a free initial consultation.  If you want to manage the process yourself, I’ll tell you where to start.  If you feel overwhelmed, I’ll be happy to help.

Probate is the legal process where final bills are paid to creditors and remaining assets are distributed to heirs. The process requires the involvement of the court in the county where the deceased lived.

A trust is a separate legal entity that allows for the distribution of assets to beneficiaries.  In the most common type of trust, you maintain control of the assets until your death.  You can cancel or change this trust at any time.  The primary advantage of this trust is to avoid probate.  Other less common types of trusts are more difficult to change and are treated differently for tax purposes.

Powers of attorney allow another individual (usually a spouse or child) to make decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so. There are two types of powers of attorney: health care and financial.

The internet can’t listen to your concerns and answer your questions.  The internet also can’t suggest estate planning services specific to your needs and tell you the tax consequences of the forms you fill out.  Plus, estate planning is subject to state law so you need guidance from someone familiar with the laws in the state where you live.

Two problems arise from this strategy.  First, it gives your children the right to remove money from your account at any time for any reason.  Second, if your child is sued for any reason (divorce, dispute with a business partner, personal injury lawsuit), your assets will be included among those subject to a legal judgment.

While I will explain the tax implications of your estate planning, I only prepare trust or estate tax returns for my estate planning clients.  I don’t prepare individual or business tax returns.