Estate Planning Services

 
Regent Estate Law charges reasonable, flat fees for preparing most estate plans.

Basic estate plans typically include a will, durable powers of attorney, a living will, and, if you have minor children, a guardianship nomination.  Additional documents may be necessary. 

It is important to discuss these options with an attorney to ensure that you select the appropriate documents, that they are written clearly in accordance with state law, and that your gifts match your intent.

Note: These descriptions contain general information and do not create an attorney-client relationship between Regent Estate Law and the reader.  Please contact Regent Estate Law if you would like legal advice.

Wills

The primary purpose of a will is to designate who will receive the property you own at death.  You can also use a will to create a trust, nominate a guardian for your child or pet, or express a final sentiment or wish.  Recent national surveys indicate that most Americans do not have valid wills.  Clients benefit from individual counseling to ensure their will accurately reflects their intentions, and to ensure the will is validly executed.

It is a good idea to write a new will if: 

•     you get married or divorced

•     you have a child

•     your assets grow or shrink substantially

•     one of the intended recipients of your property dies or becomes disabled

•     your personal relationships change substantially

Thoughtfully created wills can help simplify the probate process, and minimize tension between friends and family members.

Environmentally conscious clients may be interested in green burial as part of their funeral arrangements.  Green burial providers use formaldehyde-free, biodegradable materials.  Green burial sites are often part of nature preserves.  To learn more about green burial, visit the Green Burial Council, or contact Regent Estate Law. 

Legacy Letters
Legacy letters are non-legal, personal letters that you write to your family and friends as part of your estate plan.  These letters can serve many purposes.  You can use these letters to discuss a certain gift in your will, to express a final wish, or to communicate your values.  Parents of minor children often use legacy letters to explain their parenting goals and philosophy.  Clients often find that writing these letters is a rewarding process, and the letters can provide immense comfort to the people you love.  If you choose to write a legacy letter, we can assist you.
    
Trusts
Trusts serve a wide variety of purposes.  To create a trust, a person (the grantor) gives property to another person or institution (the trustee), and the trustee manages the property for the benefit of a third person (the beneficiary).  Trusts can supplement a will, or can be used to manage property during the grantor's life.  Trusts can be very useful when a grantor wants to give substantial property to a child, or when a grantor or beneficiary becomes disabled.  Trusts are not suitable for all people and all property, however, and one should consider costs and restrictions before selecting a trust.
   
Special Needs Trusts
These trusts are written specifically to preserve the beneficiary's eligibility for various need-based government benefits, such as Medicaid.  Parents often create such trusts for children who have been diagnosed with a condition that could lead to disability in the future.
 
Durable Powers of Attorney
Durable powers of attorney allow you to choose who will make important decisions for you if you are unable to speak for yourself.  The two most important types are durable powers of attorney for health care, and durable powers of attorney for finances.  The term "attorney" in the phrase refers to the person to whom you give the decision-making power (your attorney-in-fact, different from an attorney-at-law). 

Living Wills
Also called health care directives or declarations to physicians, living wills provide advance directions to your health care providers in the event you develop an irreversible medical condition in the future and are unable to speak for yourself.  These documents typically supplement the durable power of attorney for health care.