Taxation & Estate Planning

People make New Year's Resolutions about a lot of things - getting in shape, stopping smoking, getting organized, drawing up their Will and other planning documents.  And just as your personal trainer can give you information about the best way to get in shape and guide you on your way, your doctor can offer assistance in stopping smoking and your local organizing whiz can help you find the best way to manage your paper - your attorney can help you figure out the best way to form your estate plan.

Don't be afraid to contact your attorney and say "I know I need to have an estate plan, but I don't know what I need and I'm not sure how to distribute things."  That's OK. I have many clients who call up with the same concerns.  The initial meeting with my clients involves gathering a lot of information from them, and asking a lot of questions to help them form in their own mind what they want. Through the questions I ask, they can figure out who the best person is to serve as their agent under a Durable Power of Attorney, who they should appoint as guardian for their young children, or as trustee of their trust.  And through our conversation, we can decide if they just need a will, or if a trust of some sort would work best for them. 

So, give your personal trainer a call and let him know your fitness goals - he can help you get there.  Then, make an appointment with your attorney and let her know what your goals are for your and your family's future - and she can help you get there.