Estate planning is the process of determining and documenting to whom you wish to leave your belongings and assets after death. Probate law governs the process of administering the deceased person's estate after death, including ensuring the legal validity of a will, its proper execution, related reporting and payment of estate taxes.
Wills: Wills are the legal documents that reflect your wishes regarding distribution of assets and property as well as care of any children post-death. The Jennings Firm can help navigate these processes.
Power of Attorney: This legal document authorizes one person, or agent, the power to act on another person's behalf (principal). the agent is empowered to make legal decisions about the principal's medical care, property or finances. The Power of Attorney can have extremely broad or restricted legal authority to make those decisions.
Assistance with Estate Administration and Litigation:Our lawyers can assist with the administration of estates. From time to time, lawsuits to contest, or challenge, wills or trusts are filed against estates by family members or others staking a claim to the estate proceeds. Our lawyers stand ready to represent beneficiaries, trustees, and personal representatives in these cases.
Deeds of Distribution: This document is a way to legally transfer real property if it cannot be determined from a deceased person's will who is entitled to receive the property. It is usually one of the last actions in the probate process. Our lawyers can ensure that the deed is properly drafted and filed to avoid future problems such as chain of title which can be expensive and time consuming to correct.
Trusts:Unlike a will, a trust is not a public document but a legal document authorizing a third party (trustee) to hold and administer assets on behalf of one or more beneficiaries. A trust is traditionally used for minimizing estate taxes, to ensure privacy regarding estate assets, provide for financial support for those with disabilities, and other benefits. Our lawyers will work one-on-one to help you create a trust which suits your needs.