Estate planning is very personal, involving both your finances and your family. When developing an estate plan, people come to Attorney Shettle because they feel comfortable discussing these sensitive topics with him, from assets to the intricacies of family dynamics.
Attorney Shettle takes the time to get to know you personally – your goals, your value system and how your family works. He will then work with you to create an estate plan that considers all of these factors, resulting in a customized plan that reflects your goals and your family.
Everyone can benefit from even a basic estate plan – call Attorney Shettle at 860.430.1200 to discuss your needs.
Do I Need An Estate Plan?
Yes.
Estate plans are not just for the ultra-wealthy – if you own property, have family heirlooms you want passed onto a specific person, have minor children, or hold strong beliefs about your end-of-life care, a few simple estate planning documents can ensure that your wishes are followed. Attorney Shettle can assist and oversee that your assets are distributed to your loved ones consistent with your wishes.
It’s also important to update your Will if anything in your personal or financial situation has changed. Attorney Shettle can advise you on any necessary changes.
Estate Planning 101
An estate plan can take many forms, but the basic building blocks used in most estate plans include:
Wills
A will is a legally-binding document laying forth your final wishes for your solely owned assets including your home, family heirlooms, and savings and investments.
Trusts
Trusts take many forms, but they are all used to preserve assets and hold property for future generations. Placing property in trust can also help streamline the probate process (a court-supervised process of validating your will, identifying your assets, and distributing those assets to your heirs) which means your loved ones can be taken care of sooner rather than later. Many times, however, trusts can be misused and overused. Attorney Shettle can advise on the best way to use this important tool.
Powers of Attorney
This legal document allows you to name a trusted person to manage your finances and affairs if and when you are not able to do so on your own due to injury or incapacity.
Health Care Proxies/Directives
These documents ensure that your health care wishes are documented and that you designate who will be making health care decisions for you if you are unable to.
Living Wills
These documents will state your end of life and life support wishes if you are not capable of communicating them at that time.
I’m here to help.
Have a legal, real estate or business question? Contact me, and I’d be happy to sit down with you personally and discuss your legal needs.
Videos
Do You Need An Estate Plan, WIll, Trust or Living Will in Connecticut?
Estate Planning: Getting Organized
Articles
EIGHT REASONS TO UPDATE YOUR ESTATE PLAN
An estate plan should accurately reflect your life — your family, your assets and your personal beliefs. Any time there is a meaningful change in your life, your estate plan may need to be changed. Below are some of the most common reasons to update your estate plan. 1. A CHANGE IN MARITAL STATUSIf you […]
ESTATE PLANNING AND YOU
I’m sure you’ve seen the flyers and ads: FREE LIVING TRUST SEMINAR: Wait for it……AVOID THE COST AND DELAYS OF PROBATE! ooohhh….that sounds ominous, doesn’t it? Estate planning doesn’t have to be costly, but setting up a Trust, and maintaining it, can be. The relative cost of meeting with an experienced attorney, understanding how assets […]