A good estate plan does two jobs. It makes sure the people you choose are in charge if something happens to you, and it makes sure your property goes to the people you love with as little court involvement, delay, and expense as possible. For many families a Will is enough. For others, especially families with a home, minor children, or a desire to avoid probate entirely, a revocable living trust is the better tool because property held in the trust passes to your family without a probate case.

A complete plan is more than a Will or trust. A durable financial power of attorney lets someone you trust pay your bills and manage your affairs if you ever cannot, and a health care directive with a living will names the person who speaks for you on medical decisions and records your own wishes so your family never has to guess. Without these documents in place, your loved ones may have to petition a court for guardianship or conservatorship just to help you, which is slow, public, and expensive.

Parents of minor children should know that the guardian you name in your Will is the single most important choice in your plan. If you do not name one, a judge will choose without your input. And if your children would inherit money or property, a trust lets you decide who manages it and at what ages your children receive it, instead of them receiving everything in a lump sum at age 19.

Finally, an estate plan only works if your property is connected to it. That means deeding your home into your trust, naming the right beneficiaries on life insurance and retirement accounts, and keeping a simple inventory your family can find. We walk every client through these funding steps as part of the flat fee, so nothing is left hanging.