Essential Planning for the Next Chapter
Your estate plan should reflect the life you have now, not the one you had before marriage, divorce, or other major life changes. We design and draft wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and living wills that safeguard your wishes, manage your assets effectively, and simplify decisions for those you trust.
Medicaid and long-term care planning involve separate but closely related considerations. Without advance planning, long-term care costs can quickly deplete a lifetime of savings. We help you evaluate your options, understand eligibility rules, and develop strategies that protect your assets while ensuring access to needed care.
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A revocable living trust allows you to retain control of your assets during your lifetime while setting clear instructions for their management and distribution after your death. Unlike a will, a properly funded trust can allow your assets to pass to your beneficiaries without probate. It also provides flexibility, privacy, and continuity in how your estate is handled.
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A pour-over will is a companion document to a living trust that serves as a safety net by directing that any assets inadvertently left outside the trust are transferred into it after your death and distributed according to the trust’s terms.
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A durable financial power of attorney authorizes a trusted person to manage your financial and legal affairs if you’re unable to manage them yourself. This can include paying your bills, managing your bank and investment accounts, buying or selling property, and handling other financial and legal matters on your behalf.
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A medical power of attorney authorizes a trusted person to make medical decisions on your behalf if you’re unable to make or communicate those decisions yourself. It’s typically used in situations involving illness, injury, or incapacity.
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A living will states your preferences for medical treatment if you have a terminal illness or are in a persistent vegetative state. It provides guidance for your loved ones and healthcare providers when difficult decisions arise.
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A declaration of disposition of last remains states your preferences regarding the disposition of your remains and any funeral or memorial arrangements after your death. It provides your loved ones with clear guidance regarding your final wishes.
Core Estate Planning Documents
We prepare the core estate planning documents that give legal effect to your wishes and help protect you and your loved ones. Click any document name below to learn more about its purpose and function.
Did You Know?
Medicare and Medicaid aren’t the same thing. Medicare generally doesn’t cover long-term nursing home care, while Medicaid may, but only if certain eligibility requirements are met.
Medicaid has a five-year lookback period. Improper asset transfers made within five years of applying can result in a penalty period of ineligibility.
Not all assets affect Medicaid eligibility the same way. Depending on the circumstances, some assets, such as a primary residence, vehicle, or retirement account, may be exempt for eligibility purposes.