Although the most common estate document, a will is the keystone of all estate planning. If you die without a legally valid will, two core issues impact your family.

First, the government likes to strong arm into the decision of how your savings and belongings are distributed. In some cases, the government may even force your assets to be surrendered to the state. Second, family members waste time and energy, fighting over your assets, even for small and unremarkable items, and destroying family ties. Learn more about wills.

Power of attorney, another common estate document, designates someone else with the authority to make decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated. Without a power of attorney, you could lose control of your assets, including your property and your business.

An estate lawyer ensures that the person given power of attorney receives the legal power and authority to manager your affairs when you are unable. Without a legally binding document of power of attorney in place, the courts elbow into your personal decisions and appoint an a stranger to act as your guardian. Learn more about a power of attorney.

A living will protects your loved ones from making agonizing decisions for you if you are unable to do so yourself due to injury or illness.

With a living will, you decide how you should be treated regarding life-prolonging treatment and end-of-life care. If you would prefer to ease the burden on your loved ones, you need to have a living will expressing your desires. Learn more about living wills.

The probate system investigates wills to ensure that they are official and valid at the time of an individual’s passing. If the will is found to be invalid, the individual’s assets will be distributed according to state law. Although a will was drafted by an estate lawyer, sometimes that original lawyer is no longer available.

A probate attorney can best help you at this stage of the process. Should you need a new probate lawyer, please contact one of our probate lawyers. Learn more about probate.

An estate administrator is responsible for the management of the estate of a decedent after his or her passing. In addition to the day-to-day management of the estate, the estate administrator is charged with responsibilities including filing the will with the court for probate, gathering the assets and property of the estate, ensuring that the debts and the tax liabilities are paid, distributing the estate to the beneficiaries, and addressing any contests to the will distribution. Estate administration can be complex.

To avoid subjecting your loved ones to this burden, please contact one of our estate administrators. Learn more about an estate administrator.