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Estate Planning
Wills
When considering estate planning, most people start with a will — or they don’t start at all, because the number of decisions and the topic itself can feel overwhelming. Working with an experienced lawyer who can clearly explain the many options and simplify the process makes estate planning easier. Leslie has worked with hundreds of clients to draft personalized estate plans, and she leverages this wealth of knowledge and experience to help clients find the right path forward, given their own unique circumstances. Trusts The most commonly used trust in estate planning is a revocable living trust, which is an entity that a person can create on paper to hold title to one’s assets. Once a person no longer has assets held in their name individually, that person’s estate will have nothing to pass through the probate process, thus saving their heirs or beneficiaries money and time. Leslie can structure a trust that leads to a streamlined administration process, one that gets beneficiaries their inheritance quickly, efficiently, and without the additional taxes, fees, and expenses associated with probate. Durable Powers of Attorney A durable power of attorney allows a person to choose another person (or multiple people) who are designated to handle one’s financial affairs in the event of incapacitation or for the sake of convenience. This includes designating that person to pay bills, manage accounts, sign contracts, and handle other financial matters. Leslie can create a durable power of attorney that simplifies otherwise complicated financial issues, and which can be especially valuable for families with older or ill relatives who may not be in a position to make sound financial decisions while dealing with health challenges. Advance Medical Directives An advance medical directive allows a person to choose another person (or multiple people) who are designated to make medical decisions on their behalf in the event of incapacity or disability. Leslie can create a document that provides guidance to the designated person(s) regarding wishes relating to medical care. Creating an advance medical directive can be an emotional lift and relieve a family of uncertainty during a challenging time. |