Having a clear and complete estate plan in place before your passing may be the greatest gift you can leave for your family. There are countless stories of uncertainty and infighting among family members who were left to guess about their loved one’s wishes in the absence of a will. Don’t leave your estate for the court to divide. You deserve to have a say and have your wishes honored.
At Williams, Stitely & Brink P.C. in Lexington, we understand that it can be uncomfortable to think about a plan that will only go into effect after your passing. However, taking the time to make the necessary arrangements now ensures that your plan will be followed. We work closely with you to understand your wishes and help you develop a customized plan specifically designed to accommodate them.
We also help you plan your lifetime wishes as well as discuss powers of attorney for health and financial care during your lifetime.
Our estate planning attorney, W. Lisa Brink, dedicates much of her practice to probate, wills and other estate planning matters. She is recognized by clients and colleagues alike for her thoughtful and thorough approach to finding the right plan for any need. Lisa will advise you on the available estate planning tools to help you reach your goals.
Wills: The last will and testament is the cornerstone of every estate plan. It can be used to assign specific assets to your beneficiaries as well as address other issues, including who you want to handle your affairs, who you want to take care of your minor children and other considerations.
Trusts: A trust allows you to reserve assets for a specific beneficiary. You can determine when and how the assets will be distributed and name a trustee to manage the assets until they are distributed. There are many different types of trusts to choose from. We will advise you on the best type of trust to choose based on your goals.
Powers of attorney: You can name specific people to make decisions on your behalf in the event that you are unable to make them for yourself. You can also assign specific powers to trusted representatives to handle your bank accounts, business dealings and other matters according to your instructions.
Advance directives: You can inform your family members and medical personnel of your wishes with regard to your medical care if you should become terminally ill. This includes consideration for life-saving measures that should or should not be taken and other issues.
Probate services: Probate is the process of settling a loved one’s estate after he or she has passed. We have experience handling all aspects of the probate process, including verification of the will, assembly and distribution of assets, settling the debts of the estate and other matters.
