Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning

If future generations are to remember us more with gratitude than sorrow, we must achieve more than just the miracles of technology. We must also leave them a glimpse of the world as it was created, not just as it looked when we got through with it. - Lyndon B. Johnson

Without a good estate plan, your assets may not be distributed in accordance with your true intentions. Proper planning allows you to make decisions regarding your property as well as reduce estate and income taxes. Beth S. Hilscher, P.C. can assist you in creating a plan that meets your specific needs.

Also, in planning for your future, it is essential to have a plan that can be put into place in the event you become incapacitated. Every adult should have a durable power of attorney and an advance directive for healthcare so as to enable your trusted loved ones to make important decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so yourself. Understanding how critical it can be to have these important documents in place, Beth S. Hilscher counsels, drafts and provides them to her clients as a courtesy and at no cost.

DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY
The durable power of attorney is a lifetime planning toll that terminates upon your death. A durable power of attorney appoints a designated person to handle financial affairs if you are unable.

MEDICAL DIRECTIVES: LIVING WILL, HEALTH CARE PROXY, POWER OF ATTORNEY FOR HEALTH CARE
Creating a medical directive, which may include a number of different documents such as a health care proxy, health care decisions and a living will, are medical instructions to ensure your wishes regarding your medical care are carried out.

LAST WILL & TESTAMENT
A Will stipulates to whom you want to leave your assets and appoints the person or entity that will manage your estate after your death.

TRUSTS
There are numerous types of trusts, which when implemented appropriately can avoid probate and allows trustee to manage assets if you become incompetent.

GIFTING
Making gifts of up to $12,000 to children or other heirs can help save on estate taxes. You can give up to $12,000 away per year, per donee of the gift. If your spouse joins you, you can gift up to $24,000 which is not subject to gift tax or estate taxes.

DISCLAIMER: This website is not intended to constitute legal advice or the provision of legal services. By posting and/or maintaining this website and its contents, Beth S. Hilscher, P.C. does not intend to solicit legal business from clients located in states or jurisdictions where Beth S. Hilscher, P.C. or its individual attorneys are not licensed or authorized to practice law.