Based in Johns Creek , I have a vast experience in both estate planning and estate administration, so your family is protected regardless of your stage of life. Whether you’re planning for the future or handling the loss of a loved one, we’re here to help. We bring extensive experience and professionalism to every client and customize our support to your individual needs and concerns.
We specialize in the preparation of all aspect of estate plans, from wills, trusts, powers of attorney and healthcare directives to ensure your family is protected and the legacy you leave is as you design it. We’re on the pulse of estate and tax laws, and have monitored their evolution to inform our own legal approaches—all to give you exceptional advice that will last for years to come.
Estate Planning
Estate planning is not just for the rich, it is for everyone. All of your possessions, including cars, bank accounts, personal property, real estate, etc. are part of your personal estate. You won’t be taking these possessions with you when you die so you need a formal estate plan to share them with family, friends, and charities. An estate plan is the best way to protect the rights of your beneficiaries. Without it, the courts will distribute your possessions for you.
Living Trust
A living trust is an alternative to a will with a major advantage of avoiding lengthy and expensive probate processes. A living trust transfers your possessions into a trust during your lifetime. Then after your death, ownership of your property is passed on by the trustee to your beneficiaries. The living trust permits transfer of your possessions to beneficiaries without the need for lawyer’s fees or court filings. Unlike a will, the terms of a living trust can be kept completely private. There may be circumstances where you choose to not transfer certain property into the living trust and in those cases, you will need a will to assign those specific possessions to the beneficiaries you designate. Speak with your unbundled provider attorney to learn more about the advantages of a living trust.
Estate Administration (Probate)
There is a court supervised process for the final disposition of a person’s possessions called probate. A decedent’s estate is inventoried, outstanding debts are paid, and beneficiaries of the estate are verified. Then the net assets from the estate are distributed. Many people pass away “intestate,” meaning without a will. In those cases, the probate court appoints someone to decide how to distribute their cash, assets, and other property. Even those with a will come under probate court jurisdiction and have their inventory and distribution of possessions overseen by the probate court.
Give us a call or send us an email to see how we can help you.