Estate Planning
Protecting Your Legacy and Your Loved Ones
At Sowerby & Moustakis Law, we’re here to guide you through the process, offering you peace of mind and clarity as you plan for the future.

What is Estate Planning?
Estate planning involves making decisions about how your assets will be distributed after you pass away, who will manage your affairs if you become incapacitated, and how to minimize potential taxes and legal complications for your heirs. By creating a comprehensive estate plan, you ensure that your family is protected and your wishes are clear.
Key Components of an Estate Plan
Wills and Trusts

A will is the foundation of your estate plan, outlining how your assets should be distributed. A trust can help manage and protect your assets both during your life and after. We’ll work with you to determine the best approach based on your needs and goals.
Powers of Attorney

A power of attorney allows you to designate someone you trust to make financial or healthcare decisions on your behalf if you’re unable to do so. This ensures that your affairs are managed according to your wishes, even if you’re incapacitated.
Advance Healthcare
Directives

Also known as a living will, this document outlines your preferences for medical treatment in case you cannot communicate them yourself. It provides guidance to your loved ones and healthcare providers during difficult times.
Wills and Trusts

A will is the foundation of your estate plan, outlining how your assets should be distributed. A trust can help manage and protect your assets both during your life and after. We’ll work with you to determine the best approach based on your needs and goals.
Powers of Attorney

A power of attorney allows you to designate someone you trust to make financial or healthcare decisions on your behalf if you’re unable to do so. This ensures that your affairs are managed according to your wishes, even if you’re incapacitated.
Advance Healthcare
Directives

Also known as a living will, this document outlines your preferences for medical treatment in case you cannot communicate them yourself. It provides guidance to your loved ones and healthcare providers during difficult times.
Beneficiary Designations

Many assets, such as life insurance policies and retirement accounts, pass directly to beneficiaries named in the account. We’ll help you review and update your beneficiary designations to ensure they align with your overall estate plan.
Business Succession Planning

If you own a business, it’s essential to plan for its future. We can help you develop a succession plan that protects your business and ensures a smooth transition, whether you’re passing it on to family members or preparing it for sale.
Beneficiary Designations

Many assets, such as life insurance policies and retirement accounts, pass directly to beneficiaries named in the account. We’ll help you review and update your beneficiary designations to ensure they align with your overall estate plan.
Business Succession Planning

If you own a business, it’s essential to plan for its future. We can help you develop a succession plan that protects your business and ensures a smooth transition, whether you’re passing it on to family members or preparing it for sale.
The Estate Planning Process
Creating an estate plan doesn’t have to be overwhelming. We’re here to make the process straightforward and stress-free:

Initial Consultation
We start by discussing your goals and concerns. We’ll review your assets, family situation, and any specific needs you may have to create a customized plan.

Drafting Documents
Once we understand your needs, we’ll draft the necessary documents, including your will, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. We’ll ensure everything is clear and legally sound.

Meeting of Creditors
After reviewing the documents with you, we’ll make any necessary adjustments before finalizing your estate plan. We’ll also discuss how to keep your plan up to date as your life circumstances change.

Initial Consultation
We start by discussing your goals and concerns. We’ll review your assets, family situation, and any specific needs you may have to create a customized plan.

Drafting Documents
Once we understand your needs, we’ll draft the necessary documents, including your will, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. We’ll ensure everything is clear and legally sound.

Meeting of Creditors
After reviewing the documents with you, we’ll make any necessary adjustments before finalizing your estate plan. We’ll also discuss how to keep your plan up to date as your life circumstances change.

“Peter Moustakis was excellent. He made what we wanted to accomplish easy. This is something that I kept putting off, and Peter put our worries to rest. The whole process flowed nicely.”
- ERIC G.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Estate Planning

Do I need a trust if I already have a will?
Not necessarily, but a trust can offer benefits that a will alone cannot, such as avoiding probate and providing greater control over how and when your assets are distributed. We’ll help you decide if a trust is right for you.

How often should I update my estate plan?
It’s a good idea to review your estate plan every few years or whenever significant life events occur, such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or the purchase of a new home. Keeping your plan up to date ensures it always reflects your current wishes.

Can estate planning help reduce taxes for my heirs?
Yes, a well-structured estate plan can help minimize estate and inheritance taxes, ensuring more of your assets go to your loved ones. We’ll work with you to explore strategies that reduce the tax burden on your heirs.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Estate Planning
Do I need a trust if I already have a will?
Not necessarily, but a trust can offer benefits that a will alone cannot, such as avoiding probate and providing greater control over how and when your assets are distributed. We’ll help you decide if a trust is right for you.
How often should I update my estate plan?
It’s a good idea to review your estate plan every few years or whenever significant life events occur, such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or the purchase of a new home. Keeping your plan up to date ensures it always reflects your current wishes.
Can estate planning help reduce taxes for my heirs?
Yes, a well-structured estate plan can help minimize estate and inheritance taxes, ensuring more of your assets go to your loved ones. We’ll work with you to explore strategies that reduce the tax burden on your heirs.

“I can't Thank Peter Moustakis and the the staff at Sowerby & Moustakis Law, PLLC enough for all their help with our Estate Planning and LLC formation needs.”
- ANDREW S.