Although a will is a necessary part of any estate plan, it may not be enough. A will does not avoid probate, and in fact the probate court must become involved in the process of administering your will. Many people do not want their financial affairs to become a matter of public record, which is part of the probate process. Also, a will is effective only following your death. If you become mentally or physically incapacitated, your will provides no protection – but you may be forced to submit to the control of the probate court while you are living. This is because it may be necessary for a guardian of your estate (sometimes called a conservator) to be named.

A revocable or living trust becomes the owner of your property. The trust is administered by the trustee and you may be your own trustee. If you become unable to act as trustee, the trust can contain language that automatically names a successor trustee.

When you have transferred ownership of all of your property to the trust, there is nothing for the probate court to control — either during your life or at your death. The trust owns all your property for your benefit. But you are in control (even if you are not the trustee) since you revoke the trust at any time.

Online document providers, which produce boilerplate documents, do not offer the protection and expertise that a licensed attorney in your state can offer.  These templates often can fail when you need them the most. An estate plan needs to be customized to you and be able to adapt to your family’s situation. Our online solutions are specifically designed around your circumstances and family structure, as they are drafted by a licensed attorney. Each plan is reviewed for accuracy and adaptability.  In addition, feel free to consult with our team about any questions or concerns that you may have during the process. You will rest easy knowing that your plan was made specifically for you and not computer generated.

Yes, your fee includes a virtual consultation with an attorney to review your estate planning questions or concerns, or for just a general discussion. We can answer questions as to what you may need and the best avenue to ensure that happens in your plan.

Upon receiving your documents, you will receive instructions outlining any final steps needed to ensure that your estate plan will work properly. This means that what you own will either be owned by your trust or pass to your trust when you die, therefore avoiding probate for a more efficient and simple way for your assets to pass to your spouse and children.