Estate planning can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. If you’ve been putting it off because it sounds complicated, you’re not alone. The truth is, estate planning is simply about making sure your wishes are followed and your loved ones are protected after you’re gone. Whether you have a large estate or just a few assets, creating a comprehensive estate plan is essential to ensure your assets end up where you want them to be.

Estate planning involves much more than just drafting a will. It’s about putting safeguards in place to protect your family, your assets, and your personal wishes. Unfortunately, many people don’t realize the importance of a well-thought-out estate plan until it’s too late. In New Hampshire, failing to establish a plan could result in your assets being distributed according to state laws, which may not align with your desires.

What Services Do Estate Planning Attorneys Offer?

Estate planning attorneys provide a wide range of services designed to help you create a comprehensive and legally sound plan that protects your assets and ensures your wishes are carried out.

Here are some of the most common services they offer:

• Drafting Wills and Trusts: One of the most fundamental services is preparing wills and various types of trusts. A will specifies how your assets should be distributed after your death, while trusts can help you avoid probate, minimize estate taxes, and provide for minor children or individuals with special needs.
• Creating Powers of Attorney: Estate planning attorneys help you establish powers of attorney for financial and medical decisions. This ensures someone you trust can handle your affairs if you become incapacitated, without the need for lengthy court proceedings.
• Setting Up Healthcare Directives: Also known as living wills or advance directives, these documents outline your preferences for medical treatment if you’re unable to communicate your wishes. An attorney ensures your healthcare directives are legally enforceable and aligned with your intentions.
• Probate and Estate Administration Guidance: After a loved one passes away, their estate may need to go through probate. Attorneys assist with navigating the probate process, ensuring assets are distributed according to the decedent’s wishes and legal requirements.
• Minimizing Estate Taxes: Estate planning attorneys can offer guidance on structuring your assets to reduce potential estate taxes, preserving more of your wealth for your beneficiaries.
• Updating and Reviewing Estate Plans: Life is constantly changing. Attorneys help clients update their estate plans to reflect new marriages, divorces, births, deaths, or other significant life events. Regular reviews ensure your plan remains current and effective.
• Addressing Estate Disputes: Unfortunately, legal battles over wills and trusts are not uncommon. A skilled attorney can help mitigate disputes before they arise and defend your interests if a challenge is made to your estate plan.
• Charitable Giving and Special Needs Planning: For those with philanthropic goals, estate planning attorneys can structure charitable donations and endowments in a tax-efficient way. They also assist families in creating special needs trusts to provide for loved ones with disabilities.

Why Estate Planning Matters

Estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy—it’s for everyone. In New Hampshire, if you pass away without a will or other estate planning documents, your estate will be distributed according to state laws, which might not align with your personal wishes. Having a solid estate plan gives you control over who inherits your assets, who manages your affairs if you’re unable to, and even who takes care of your minor children.

Another key component of estate planning is updating your documents as your life changes. Marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or acquiring significant assets should all prompt a review of your estate plan. Failing to update your documents could result in unintended consequences, such as assets going to individuals you no longer wish to include.

Estate planning also offers peace of mind. By taking the time to create a comprehensive plan, you’re not only protecting your assets but also relieving your loved ones of potential legal headaches down the road. It’s a proactive step that shows you care about their well-being, even when you’re not around to look after them yourself.

Take Care of Your Future

Estate planning doesn’t have to be stressful or complicated. At Sowerby & Moustakis Law, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Our team is dedicated to helping you create a plan that protects your assets, respects your wishes, and brings you peace of mind. Contact us today to get started on securing your legacy.