Probate and estate planning are two important legal concepts that deal with the distribution of a person's assets after their death. It is a complex process that involves legal procedures, taxes, and financial planning.
Probate and estate planning lawyers in St. Charles, Missouri
Most people don’t have a clear understanding of probate and estate planning, which can lead to confusion and uncertainty. A living will is a document that provides direction to your loved ones, family members, and physicians regarding your preferences for end-of-life care should you become incapacitated. At some point, perhaps toward the end of your life, you may need help taking care of your finances, making medical decisions, or communicating your wishes to your physicians and family. A living will, power of attorney for health care or power of attorney for finances can direct your health care or give others authority to act on your behalf.
What is probate?
Probate is a legal process that takes place after a person’s death. It involves the distribution of the deceased person’s assets to their heirs and beneficiaries. The probate process can be time-consuming and expensive, and it involves many legal formalities.
What is estate planning?
Estate planning is the process of creating a plan for the management and distribution of a person’s assets during their lifetime and after their death. Estate planning involves the creation of wills, trusts, and other legal documents that help to ensure that a person’s wishes are carried out after their death.
Estate planning is important in order to have your assets dispersed as you plan. The last thing you want is for your family not to end up with what you wanted them to receive.
How our probate and estate planning attorneys can help you
Our St. Charles, Missouri attorneys can help you with all of your probate and estate planning needs. We have over 36 years of experience in handling probate cases and helping our clients create comprehensive estate plans.
Estate planning is an important aspect of financial planning that everyone should consider. It helps to ensure that your assets are distributed according to your wishes after your death, and it can also help to minimize taxes and other expenses. Without an estate plan, your assets may be subject to probate, which can be a lengthy and costly process. An estate plan can also help to provide for your loved ones after your death, by setting up trusts and other financial instruments that can provide for their needs.
We understand the legal procedures and requirements involved in probate and estate planning in the State of Missouri, and we can guide you through the process. Our attorneys can help you create a will, set up a trust, and provide advice on how to minimize taxes and other expenses associated with probate and estate planning.
Durable power of attorney lawyers
A living will differs from a durable power of attorney for health care because a living will delineate your wishes specifically, whereas a power of attorney for health care allows someone else — your agent — to make your health care decisions for you. Your healthcare agent must act consistently with your wishes if he knows what your wishes are. If not, he must act in your best interests. Like a living will, a durable power of attorney for health care remains valid even if you become incapacitated.
Suddarth and Koor, LLC can provide professional legal advice by creating both a Living will and Power of Attorney.
The person who is named by the Durable Power of Attorney can also called the agent, healthcare proxy, or attorney-in-fact.
Contact our estate planning attorneys today
Estate taxes can significantly alter the amount of estate that is disbursed to your estate beneficiaries.
Attorney Andrew Koor is licensed to practice tax and has done so for over 37 years. He can help you minimize the impact that taxes have on your estate.
Additional Information on Estate Planning and Estate Planning Lawyers
If you need additional information regarding estate planning, feel free to contact us at any time using the form below. One of our attorneys will get back with you as soon as possible to answer your questions or start your Estate Planning consultation.
For more information, you can read our Guide on Estate Planning
Free Probate & Estate Planning Law Consultation
