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WILLS & TRUSTS
QUESTIONNAIRE
To facilitate the exchange of
information between us, please print this Questionnaire, then complete prior to your visit to our office.
This document is in PDF format, so you will need to use Adobe Acrobat Reader as a viewer.
If you would like a free version of this tool, please visit Adobe here. |
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 I know you have worked hard for your financial successes.
My goal for you is to protect and retain as much of your earnings and assets as possible for you to pass to your loved ones.
No matter how young or old you are, it is never too late or too early to begin planning your estate.
Wills
A will is a document through which you decide to whom and how you want to dispose of your money and other assets after death. Wills also address potential tax consequences to your heirs at the Federal and State levels. Often, wills incorporate trusts which you create for various reasons, such as deciding that a portion of your estate will be held in trust for children until they reach certain ages and are mature enough to manage their inheritance wisely.
Wills express your personal wishes and, as such, are tailored to achieve your goals for your loved ones. They may become quite complex or can be simple in structure, but a current and valid will is your best gift to your loved ones.
Trusts
Trusts are agreements structured in many different ways to accomplish estate planning goals. They contain the same provisions distributing property to your loved ones that you would use in a will, but in a different structure.
Revocable trusts are trusts that can be revoked during your lifetime when events change. Revocable trusts are often used instead of wills to avoid the probate process.
Irrevocable trusts are often used to remove assets from an estate by giving the assets to the trustee of the trust.
Special Needs Trusts
These are specifically created under law to pass money and assets to a loved one that receives funds through a government program for a disability or other reasons.
Using a special needs trust, an individual may receive money and assets without jeopardizing their continued receipt of government funds. These trusts are highly technical and regulated.
Powers of Attorney
These are documents through which you choose loved ones to assist you if you are unable to take care of yourself, either medically or financially. It is important to formally appoint caregivers and to give them powers to help in all aspects of your health care and financial care in the event that you cannot help yourself.
Living Wills
These are documents where you make your last healthcare wishes known. Living wills remove the burden from your caregiver as to your last health care wishes.
Probate Administration
I help clients through the probate process and assure that property passes to the heirs intended by the client in such a way as to reduce estate, inheritance, and income taxes. |
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