Plymouth Estate Planning Attorney

No matter your age, wealth, or condition of health, having a comprehensive estate plan laid out in the event of tragedy can be an essential tool to ensure any end-of-life care goes according to your wishes and that your estate is divided in accordance with your desires. It is important to keep in mind that there is no one-size-fits-all estate plan, and each one should be designed to fit your unique needs and goals. A Plymouth estate planning attorney can help you create this plan.

Whether you are establishing an estate plan for the first time or are looking for ways in which to update or modify your current plan due to certain changes in life circumstances, the team at Albanese Law, LLC is here to guide you through every step of the complicated legal process. We hope to offer both unwavering support, clarity, and knowledge necessary for you to make the correct decisions regarding the health and security of your legacy for years to come.

At Albanese Law, LLC, our experienced attorneys can guide you through the creation of a will, trusts, powers of attorney, and health care proxies to ensure you are prepared for the event that tragedy strikes. Let us assist you in securing your legacy and the future stability of your loved ones even after you are gone.

Tools Available in a Plymouth Estate Plan

Having a personally tailored estate plan can be extremely beneficial not just to yourself, but to the ones who come after you. Your estate plan can address your unique needs and those of your family members and working with the right lawyer can help ensure that all the correct documents and legal arrangements are set in stone in a way that will stand up during any potential probate process or legal claim.

There are many tools at your disposal when creating a comprehensive estate plan in Massachusetts, and sitting down with a lawyer to review your goals can help determine which tools are right for you when establishing your plan. The most common of these tools can include the following:

• Wills: The foundation of your estate plan will be a legal document known as a will. This can allow you to name every beneficiary to your estate and dictate how you want your assets distributed amongst these individuals or organizations. In your will, you can also appoint an executor to your estate or the individual who will carry out your wishes following your death. It is vital that you choose an individual you deem trustworthy.

Additionally, you have the power in your will to name guardians for any minor children or adult children who require certain levels of care, such as children with mental or physical disabilities. Your attorney from Albanese Law, LLC can help ensure that the right people are chosen for these roles as well.

• Trusts: These legal arrangements can be established in place of a will or in conjunction with one. A trust is an agreement held between yourself, the grantor, and a trustee chosen by you to have power and control over the funds held within the trust. Your trustee’s duty is to manage the trust’s assets on behalf of named beneficiaries and can help organize your assets and protect them from probate, creditors, and certain tax liabilities.

A trust, however, differs from a will in several ways. First, it allows your beneficiaries to gain access to their inheritance more quickly than if they had to wait for these assets to be passed through a will. Second, a trust can be established at any time, while a will only takes effect after the individual who created it has passed. Thirdly, a trust can help avoid probate, whereas after your death, your will must pass through this legal process.

• Powers of Attorney: A power of attorney, or POA, is a legal document that gives power to someone else to make certain decisions for your benefit in the event you become incapacitated and unable to make these decisions for yourself. This individual, known as your “agent,” will act in your interest when you cannot. The decisions they have the power to make can include those of a health, medical, or financial nature.

It is vital that when setting up a power of attorney document, you consult with a lawyer to ensure your POA reflects your wishes and desires in a legal way so no mishaps occur when you become incapable of making these decisions for yourself. An attorney can also help determine which individual in your life is the correct choice to be named as your agent.

• Health Care Proxies: Similar to a power of attorney, a health care proxy is a legal document that names an agent or individual who can make medical decisions on your behalf should you become incapacitated due to an injury, illness, or age-related condition. Unlike a POA, a health care proxy only covers medical decisions.

When choosing a health care proxy in Plymouth, MA it is important that you decide on an individual who you trust and who can be capable of handling this responsibility in moments of stress and pressure.

Common Goals of an Estate Plan

Your estate plan can ensure that many of your goals are met when it comes to end-of-life care or ensuring your loved ones are taken care of when you are no longer here. When considering the establishment of an inclusive estate plan, there are several goals you will want to keep in mind to ensure your plan meets all of your desires and purposes. The goals of a comprehensive estate plan can include:

• Saving your loved ones both time and money in the probate or estate administration process
• Providing monetary and physical support for any minor or special needs children
• Distributing your assets to beneficiaries of your choosing in accordance with your wishes
• Minimizing any potential tax liabilities levied against your estate
• Dictating your wishes in the event of tragedy or medical emergency
• Leaving certain assets or wealth to charitable organizations of your choosing

Speak with a Highly-Skilled Estate Planning Lawyer Today

If you wish to create a Massachusetts estate plan or modify one that already exists, the team at Albanese Law, LLC is here for you. For countless years we have been serving the people of Plymouth, ensuring that their estate plan accurately reflects their goals and wishes. Contact our offices today to schedule your consultation and learn more on how we might be of service to you.