Many individuals and families think estate planning is only for the extraordinarily wealthy, people living the “lifestyles of the rich and famous.” Nothing could be further from the truth. Every family should have an estate plan of their own—without one, the state in which you reside and the IRS will simply create a plan for you. And you, your loved ones and heirs will suffer the painful financial consequences. It is equally important to have your plan prepared by an attorney who focuses on elder law and estate planning, because it is a highly specialized area of the law. Stephen’s educational background in accounting and extensive professional experience in financial injury law make him uniquely qualified to provide you with a comprehensive, highly effective estate plan.

Our approach to estate planning is just like the one we take to elder law in general. We listen closely, get to know you and your most pressing concerns, then create a plan that addresses every single one of them and helps you realize your dreams. We also take the time to explain your options in clear, easy to understand language, without confusing legal jargon.

The estate planning services we provide include:

• Revocable Living Trusts
• Wills
• Powers of Attorney
• Health Care Directives
• HIPAA Authorizations
• Dynasty Trusts
• Irrevocable Trusts
• Life Insurance Trusts
• Family Limited Partnerships
• Qualified Personal Residence Trusts
• Gift Programs
• Retirement Trusts
• Minors’ Trusts
• Generation-Skipping Trusts
• Tax Planning

Asset Protection

Many of our clients are worried that the assets they have spent a lifetime accumulating will be lost to predators or creditors. This is a valid concern, considering that we live in a highly litigious society; people seem to sue one another over just about anything, and you never know for sure what a jury will decide. While all of our clients are unique, we have found that many are most worried about protecting their assets in the following situations:

• Remarriage of a spouse after the client’s death
• A child or grandchild who seems unable to act responsibly
• Issues involving in-laws, particularly a child’s spouse “wasting” an inheritance
• Potential lawsuits and liability involving heirs
• Tax problems
• Physical or financial abuse of a surviving spouse by a loved one or care provider

At Jones Elder Law, we can address all of these concerns and many more. Please contact us to discuss your particular situation.

Trusts

Of all the many legal tools available to preserve and protect your assets, some of the most powerful are Trusts, in particular the Revocable Living Trust. It is the cornerstone of virtually all of our clients' estate plans. Why? A living trust offers complete control of your assets during your lifetime, provides for you and your loved ones in the event of incapacity, and allows you to pass your assets on when you want, to whom you want, in the manner you want…without the costs, delays and publicity associated with probate.

Guardianship/Conservatorship

Guardianships and Conservatorships are legal processes in which the rights and property of a person deemed incapable of managing his or her own affairs are exercised by another adult. One of the greatest gifts you can give yourself and your family is to seek counsel from Jones Elder Law and avoid the prospect of guardianship and conservatorship entirely. That way, none of your loved ones will have to deal with the stressful court proceeding to have you declared incompetent.

As with so many aspects of elder law, it is not always possible to plan ahead. If you are currently involved in a situation that may lead to the necessity of filing a guardianship or conservatorship, please call us as soon as you can to set up an appointment.

Probate and Trust Administration

The loss of a loved one is both painful and traumatic. It is made even more difficult by the need to deal with a host of critical financial and legal matters while grieving. At Jones Elder Law, we have the experience and compassion necessary to make the complex processes of probate and trust administration as stress-free as possible. We will guide your loved ones through the confusing legal maze with great sensitivity, and work closely with executors, personal representatives, trustees and other advisors to ensure your wishes are carried out.

Our probate and trust administration services include:

• Helping you select the best proper representative
• Preparation and filing of all probate court documents
• Representation in probate and civil court proceedings
• Defense against challenges to your will or trust
• Resolution of disputes among your beneficiaries or between your beneficiaries and the executor
• Postmortem planning
• Review of all federal and estate tax returns, as well as all federal and state fiduciary income tax returns