Estate Planning

This planning process can be an overwhelming, emotional, and stressful one.
Meet with an estate planning attorney to ensure all questions are adequately addressed and sound decisions are made surrounding your plan.
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​Wills  |  Trusts  |  Living Wills and Health Care Powers of Attorney  |  ​Financial Power of Attorney   |  ​ Probate Avoidance   |  ​Burial Wishes

Drake Law Practice will work with you to determine and achieve your estate planning goals. Our firm does not use high pressure sales tactics or whimsical decision-making when it comes to your money. We are committed to working with you and ensuring you have all the facts necessary to make these very important decisions.​

Wills
The planning of any estate involves a variety of different considerations, which affect decisions about who will be named as beneficiaries, and who will be appointed to ensure that plans are properly implemented.   A will is an essential estate planning document and most people would benefit from having one. 

The goal of Drake Law Practice is to assist clients with identifying and understanding relevant concerns, choosing the best means of accomplishing their objectives, and then preparing appropriate documents to implement decisions.

Trusts
Is it your wish to leave money to your children and grandchildren? Drake Law Practice can assist you in setting up a trust for gift giving to your loved ones.   Assets in a trust may also be able to pass outside of probate, saving time, court fees, and potentially reducing estate taxes as well. 

​Depending on what you want to accomplish, you can choose from various types of trust agreements. We can advise you on which type of trust agreement you should use based on your objectives and goals. The most common types of trust agreements used by individuals include:

• Revocable Living Trust
• Testamentary Trust
• Irrevocable Trust
• Special Needs Trust

Living Wills and Health Care Powers of Attorney
To help safeguard your care choices if you are ever incapacitated, Drake Law Practice can help you in naming someone to make medical decisions while being sure your wishes are met.  These take effect when your doctor declares that you lack the "capacity" to make your own health care decisions.

• Living Will - commonly included in an Advance Directive for Health Care, an estate planning tool that addresses several end-of-life matters in a single document.

• Medical Power of Attorney (medical POA or health care POA) - a legal document you use to name an agent and give them the authority to make tough medical decisions for you.

Financial Power of Attorney (Financial POA)
A financial power of attorney, also known as a durable power of attorney for finances, is a document you need when you want to grant someone else the power to make  decisions regarding your property or banking needs. The most common use for a financial POA is during a medical emergency, and you need someone to assist you until you are physically or mentally able to handle your finances again.  The financial POA helps to avoid the need for guardianship if you are unable to handle your own affairs.

Probate Avoidance
A revocable living trust can help you avoid the need for guardianship and help you to bypass probate, while protecting assets for your spouse or children. 

While each State has its own law, generally probate laws exempt these types of personally owned assets from probate upon the owner's death:

• Transfer on Death assets
• Payable on Death assets
• Jointly owned assets with rights of survivorship​

To designate an asset to transfer on death, you must make the designation on the deed, title or registration of each asset you wish to handle this way.

Burial Wishes
If you die without leaving written instructions about your preferences, state law determines who will have the right to decide how your remains will be handled.  What you choose to include is a personal matter likely to be dictated by custom or religious preference. 

A statement of your wishes and will alleviate your family from the stress of having to make decisions that may not be what you want. 

Why Choose Us?

We place a heavy emphasis on communication and making sure that we are the right fit for your needs first and on working tirelessly to ensure that you have the best solution for your situation.  

• Create a Will and Identify the Beneficiaries
• Help to Avoid the Long and Costly Probate Process
• Have Thorough Knowledge of the State and Federal Laws
• Ensure Your Health Wishes are Carried out by Someone You Trust
• Protect Your Family and Your Legacy for the Future

We ensure that your legacy is carried on for decades to come by crafting the correct documents to carry out your final wishes, funeral arrangements, and family traditions and values.