Rochester Hills Estate Planning Lawyer

Estate Planning Attorney in Rochester Hills, MI

Planning for your future and that of your family should not wait until you’re near retirement. A Rochester Hills estate planning lawyer can guide you through the process of creating wills, trusts, and other estate planning tools. These can enforce your wishes for your estate during your life and after.

Secure Your Legacy with Thoughtful Estate Planning

Planning for the future of your estate and writing a will are subjects that many people don’t want to make time for. However, estate planning and wills are important and make closing out your affairs much easier for your executor after you are gone. Find a family lawyer near me that helps with estate planning and wills. Your estate lawyer will help you draw up a will and plan for your estate to be disposed of in a tax-friendly manner. Don’t put estate planning and wills off any longer. Book an appointment today.

Do I need an Estate Plan?

If you’re wondering if you need an estate plan, the answer is probably “yes.” You can prepare for the uncertainties of life through estate planning. This process includes working with your estate planning lawyer to create documents such as a last will and testament, durable powers of attorney for health care and finances, and a living will.

In addition, you can explore adding additional documents to your estate plan with your lawyer. It’s never too early to begin estate planning, especially if you have assets that you want to protect. Call Rochester Hills estate planning lawyer Stephanie Krane-Boehmer to start the estate planning process.

Wills/Trusts & End of Life Decisions

Estate planning is not just for wealthy people. I often hear “I don’t have anything.” Ask yourself these questions:

• Do you have children?
• Do you have children under the age of 18?
• Do you have a blended family?
• Do you have a house or condominium?
• Does that house or condominium have equity (you owe less than it’s worth)?
• Do you have a bank account or investment accounts?
• Do you want to have a say where your possessions go after you pass away?
• Do you want to make end-of-life decisions?
• Do you wish to maintain privacy over your financial affairs?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, then you need an estate plan. Estate planning is the process of making sure that your assets (house, bank accounts, investment accounts, vehicles, and tangible personal items) transfer to the person(s) that you want to receive those items.

Other important goals of estate planning are to avoid probate, minimize attorney fees involved in the probate process, avoid having to pay court fees associated with probate, and minimize taxes that are paid upon death.

Any complete estate plan should contain:

• A Last Will & Testament
• A Durable Health Care Power of Attorney naming a person(s) to be responsible for medical decision-making
• A Durable Power of Attorney naming a person(s) responsible for asset and financial management while you are living but unable to handle your financial affairs.
• A Living Will or other advance directive giving instructions concerning the type of care one wishes to receive (or avoid) in the event of a terminal illness or vegetative state.

There are additional documents that are included in your estate plan prepared by my office such as Final Instructions for cremation or burial and naming a person(s) to carry out those instructions, and instructions on how to handle cases of advanced stage Dementia or Alzheimer’s.

An estate plan may also include the creation of a Trust. A Trust is a tool that is used to avoid probate. The Trust package includes all of the documents stated above, plus the Trust.

An estate plan can also include the preparation of a Lady Bird Deed. This document allows the owner of a property to keep the property in his or her name until death and then the property transfers to the individual(s) named on the deed.

No book, software program, or website can possibly account for each person’s unique situation and needs, keep up with the laws of each state, and create a personalized plan for you. Schedule an appointment today, free of charge, to meet with Stephanie to review your estate planning options.

The Estate Planning Process

As your estate planning attorney, I strive to serve you as a person, not as a file.  By focusing on your family’s hopes, dreams, and aspirations, we can merge your vision with my legal expertise to create plans that serve your family not only today but well into the future.

STEP ONE: The Initial Consultation (Get Acquainted Meeting):

I want to make sure prospective clients can ask questions, feel a sense of comfort with me, and determine a fee range before making a commitment.  This is a “big picture” discussion of the client’s family, estate, and concerns as well as the document options that are available to you.

I offer prospective estate planning clients a complimentary 30-minute initial consultation for general estate planning. We do not bill clients for anything until an agreed-upon fully executed fee agreement is in place.

STEP TWO: The Data Gathering and Design Meeting:

During the Design Meeting, Stephanie and the client will discuss the specific details of the plan.  This is really a creative process, where the attorney and client discuss solutions, pitfalls, and options.  This can also be a very emotionally powerful time to reflect on your family, your connections to them, and how the documents may represent those bonds.

Based upon the specific needs and goals of my client, I will take the time to make the estate planning recommendations to build an estate plan that plans for and protects the client and their loved ones.

STEP THREE: Review and Sign the Documents:

After the design and drafting of the estate plan, a follow-up meeting to sign documents and begin implantation of the plan will be scheduled.  I will thoroughly explain the planning documents to the client.  At the conclusion of this meeting, the estate plan is effectively in place.

I will have personally drafted each of your legal documents and will review them with you to make sure everything is just right.

STEP FOUR: Ongoing Client Care:

We do not consider the signing of the documents as just the final part of a legal transaction. In fact, we strive to build lasting relationships with our clients.  We keep our clients informed of changes that could affect their planning, maintain secure storage of your estate planning, legal, and financial records in order to maintain your estate plan to meet your ever-changing estate planning goals.

Why You Should Hire an Estate Planning Lawyer

For important estate planning matters, there’s no room for mistakes. The decision to hire an estate planning lawyer can ensure your will, trust, and other estate planning tools conform to Michigan’s estate planning laws.

Estate planning may seem straightforward on the surface, but the financial and legal implications can be complex. Attempting to handle the estate planning process without legal assistance can result in costly mistakes, such as:

• Incomplete or invalid documents
• Overlooked beneficiaries or assets
• Unintended tax consequences
• Failure to plan for the unexpected, such as incapacitation
• Lack of asset protection in the event of financial hardship or bankruptcy

Whether you consider yourself wealthy or not, you can still face financial setbacks that could threaten your assets. If you experience bankruptcy, for example, creditors may go after accounts or property that would otherwise pass on to your beneficiaries. A proper estate plan can protect certain assets and preserve your family’s inheritance.

Stephanie Krane-Boehmer, a Rochester Hills estate planning attorney, has 20+ years of experience handling estate planning cases. She can listen to your needs, customize a plan, and create legal documents that will be enforceable in court.

Wills lawyer in Rochester Hills for Wills, Trusts and End-of-Life Decisions

Family attorneys can also work with you to create a will or trust to protect your assets after your death, and ensure you are taken care of during your lifetime. Estate planning is not just for the rich. Proper estate planning can protect almost anyone with property – a house, condo or cottage, shortening probate time and ensuring your assets are divided according to your wishes. The knowledge and personal touch of an estate lawyer is more valuable than any online will kit. They can speak to you personally and guide you through a personalized process better than any artificial intelligence software.

The process of creating a will is more affordable than you may think! If you need a wills lawyer in Rochester Hills, reach out to Stephanie Krane-Boehmer, or stop by our offices in Rochester Hills, Michigan. We’re located at 5 at 2947 S Adams Road in Rochester Hills, just off the I-75.

FAQs

Q: How Much Does Estate Planning Cost in Michigan?

A: The legal fees for your estate plan are based on the time and resources your lawyer puts into drafting, reviewing, and executing your estate planning tools. Estate planning attorneys generally work on a flat fee. The more complex your estate plan, the more you can expect to pay for legal services. Once the main estate planning tools are set up, updating your plan over the years may require less time from your lawyer.

Q: Should You Use an Attorney for Estate Planning?

A: Having an attorney prepare your estate planning tools can make sure your will, trusts, and other legal documents conform with state law, meet your goals, and are enforceable in court. Experienced lawyers have spent years handling these types of complicated tasks, so they understand the specific legal terms that must be included in legal documents. Given the importance of any estate planning tool, hiring an attorney can be a worthwhile investment in your financial future.

Q: When Should I Start Estate Planning?

A: Estate planning should start early in life. After major life changes, like marriage or having your first child, estate plans can be revisited. Many people make the mistake of waiting until late in life to begin planning how their estate will be settled. Starting the process early can protect your family from uncertainties. It can also provide a clear and consistent plan for how your estate is managed during your life and after.

Q: How Can I Reduce the Time My Estate Spends in Probate?

A: You can reduce the time your estate spends in probate by working with an estate planning attorney. They can set up your will, trust, and other estate planning tools with the goal of having your assets and property avoid probate. A proper will can greatly facilitate the process of settling your estate, while certain trusts allow assets to be automatically transferred to beneficiaries upon your death.

Work With Stephanie Krane-Boehmer Today

I encourage my clients to call my office when they have a question concerning any aspect of their estate planning.