Without an estate plan, your family’s financial security could be at risk. Take action to plan for the future now by calling Legacy Law Center and scheduling a meeting with our Chesterfield, MO estate attorney. We will guide you through your options and develop a personalized strategy that aligns with your goals.
What To Expect When Working With An Estate Attorney
Our Chesterfield estate attorney will review your finances and assets to suggest the best estate planning strategy. We will get to know you and your family so that every provision is accounted for. Examples of our estate attorney can help you include:
- Setting up trusts or finalizing wills
- Protecting your assets
- Planning for final payments of bills and funeral expenses
- Outlining your medical directives and any end-of-life wishes
- Establishing a care plan for children or family members with special needs
- Organizing life insurance and retirement plans, including naming beneficiaries
- Strategize to minimize inheritance taxes and avoid probate
- Assigning a power of attorney
- Structuring finances to meet Medicaid eligibility
Everyone has different goals when it comes to estate planning. Our estate attorney will listen to your concerns and make recommendations that make sense for your family and your lifestyle.
Who Should Hire An Estate Attorney
Regardless of your age, it is beneficial to include an estate plan in your financial planning. You never know what the future holds, and establishing a will, trust, power of attorney, and medical directives now may save your family from a stressful situation. Estate plans don’t just address where your money or assets will go after you pass away. They also include care plans for you and any dependents you are responsible for. Hiring an estate attorney will give you peace of mind, knowing that your legacy will be passed on exactly how you want. It will also give people who rely on you a sense of security, understanding that there is a plan in place if anything were to happen to you.
Inheritances are one of the top causes of disagreements among family members. Your estate plan eliminates most opportunities for disputes because your wishes will be enforceable under the law. Heirs won’t have cause to fight over your money or assets because everything is already accounted for.
If you are young, it might seem too early to worry about estate planning. But if you have resources and assets, planning for the future is part of your fiscal responsibility. Plus, your estate plan can be changed at any time. So, if your family grows or your wishes change, simply schedule an appointment with our estate attorney, and we will craft a new strategy that aligns with your new circumstances.
For help organizing your estate and planning for the future, contact Legacy Law Center now. Our Chesterfield estate attorney will schedule a consultation where we will review your options and listen to your concerns so we can start devising a strategy you feel confident about. We have 18 years of experience in estate planning and look forward to serving you. Call our offices today.
Types Of Estate Cases We Handle
Our experienced Chesterfield, MO estate attorney helps individuals and families make smart, forward-thinking decisions about their futures. Estate planning involves more than drafting a will—it’s about creating a strategy that protects your interests while providing for your loved ones. We handle a wide range of estate planning matters tailored to each client’s needs and goals. Our firm has been assisting clients in Missouri for over a decade and has been recognized for Exceptional Client Service by the American Institute of Legal Counsel. To discuss your needs with our attorney, contact Legacy Law Center today.
Setting Up A Trust
We regularly assist clients with creating different types of trusts, including revocable living trusts, irrevocable trusts, and special needs trusts. Trusts can provide a more private and efficient way to transfer assets, help reduce estate taxes, and protect beneficiaries. Whether you’re looking to avoid probate or provide long-term financial stability for family members, we guide you through every step of setting up a trust that reflects your intentions. Our Chesterfield estate lawyer will help you determine which type of trust is best for your specific needs.
Assigning A Power Of Attorney
A power of attorney allows someone you trust to make decisions for you if you become unable to do so yourself. We help clients assign both financial and healthcare powers of attorney, which are important in the event of illness, injury, or incapacity. Having these documents in place provides clarity and avoids confusion during already stressful times.
Establishing A Care Plan
For clients with aging parents or family members with long-term care needs, we assist in developing practical care plans. This may include helping select care providers, arranging for long-term care insurance, or coordinating services. A well-organized care plan can prevent unnecessary legal and financial hurdles down the road while promoting dignity and comfort for loved ones.
Outlining Medical Directives
Advance healthcare directives, including living wills and healthcare proxies, allow individuals to outline their preferences for medical treatment. We work with clients to document these decisions clearly, giving families guidance and helping healthcare professionals honor their wishes. These directives are a key part of a complete estate plan and are especially important during health crises. By discussing your situation with our attorney, you can gain a better understanding of how medical directives can help you and your family.
Organizing Life Insurance And Retirement Plans
Life insurance policies and retirement accounts are often among the largest assets passed to beneficiaries. We assist with aligning these accounts with your estate plan by reviewing beneficiary designations and incorporating them into your broader goals. Proper coordination helps avoid delays and ensures your intended recipients receive these benefits without complications.
Our Missouri estate attorney is committed to helping clients make informed decisions and takes pride in offering straightforward guidance through every stage of estate planning. We believe that planning ahead is one of the most thoughtful things you can do for your loved ones. If you’re ready to get started or want to update your current plan, contact Legacy Law Center today to schedule a time to talk.
What To Expect During Your Estate Plan Consultation
Planning for the future can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to your estate. Our Chesterfield, MO estate attorney understands the stress and confusion that can come with estate planning and works hard to make the process more approachable by clearly explaining each step. We are here to answer any questions that you may have as we guide you through the estate planning process with confidence and clarity.
Attorney Charles Moore has been serving his clients in Missouri for over a decade at Legacy Law Center, and he has been named one of the “10 Best Estate Planning Attorneys in Missouri” by the American Institute of Legal Counsel. If you are in need of an estate plan, contact Legacy Law Center today.
Initial Discussion About Goals And Concerns
We start by asking about your priorities. This could include how you want your assets distributed, who should care for minor children, or how to protect a family member with special needs. This step helps us understand the priorities for your specific estate plan.
Review Of Financial And Personal Information
Next, we go over your finances, property, and family structure. This may involve reviewing account balances, real estate holdings, business interests, and any current documents like wills or trusts. Having this information ready can make the meeting more efficient and productive.
Explanation Of Key Estate Planning Tools
We explain which tools may work best for your situation. These might include a will, trust, power of attorney, or health care directive. Our experienced Chesterfield estate lawyer is here to help you compare the options based on your needs—not just what sounds good on paper.
Discussion Of Decision Makers
You’ll be asked to consider who should make decisions on your behalf if you’re unable to. This applies to both financial and medical matters. It’s important to select people you trust, and we’ll guide you on what those roles involve.
Addressing Questions And Specific Scenarios
We often talk through “what if” situations to help you make informed choices. This may include blended family concerns, planning for a second home, or handling out-of-state property. We take the time to address each concern with clarity.
Drafting A Roadmap For The Next Steps
Before ending the meeting, we’ll outline what comes next. This includes what documents need to be created, a timeline for follow-ups, and any additional information we may need from you. We want you to leave knowing exactly what to expect so that there are no surprises or unforeseen twists in the process.
Clarifying Costs And Ongoing Support
While we don’t focus our meetings on pricing, we believe it’s important to be upfront about the legal work involved and the cost of each service. We also talk about how to update your plan down the line, especially after major life changes.
Creating an estate plan can be a daunting task, but with professional assistance, it can be made easy. Our Missouri estate attorney helps make estate planning more approachable by offering practical guidance based on your individual needs. If you’re ready to take the next step in protecting your future, contact Legacy Law Center today to schedule your consultation.
Chesterfield Estate Law FAQ
Planning for the future can feel overwhelming without the right guidance, but having our trusted Chesterfield, MO estate lawyer by your side makes all the difference. We help families protect what matters most through clear and practical estate planning. That includes answering any questions that you may have about the estate planning process as we help guide you through your estate plan with confidence and clarity.
Our firm has been assisting clients in Missouri for over a decade, and our attorneys have been recognized as Top 10 Missouri Estate Planning Attorneys by Attorney and Practice Magazine. If you need help with your estate plan, contact Legacy Law Center today.
What Documents Should I Bring To My Consultation?
When meeting with our Chesterfield estate attorney for the first time, it helps to gather key documents related to your situation and your assets. Bring any existing wills, trust paperwork, property deeds, recent bank statements, retirement account information, and life insurance policies. If you have a list of beneficiaries and an idea of who you’d like to name as executor or guardian, bring that as well. The more organized your information is, the smoother your planning process will be.
How Can An Estate Lawyer Help With Probate?
When someone passes away, probate is the court process for settling the estate. Our estate lawyer helps guide families through probate by filing necessary documents, notifying creditors, distributing assets, and making sure the decedent’s wishes are honored according to state law. Having our team handle probate can help reduce stress and keep the process moving as smoothly as possible during a difficult time.
What Is The Best Way To Protect My Assets With An Estate Plan?
One of the main reasons to work with an estate planning lawyer is to protect assets for future generations. We help clients set up wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives that fit their unique needs. Tools like living trusts can help keep assets out of probate, maintain privacy, and make sure your property passes to your chosen beneficiaries without delays or unnecessary costs. It is important for every person at every stage of life to have a comprehensive estate plan in place.
What Are Common Mistakes When Forming An Estate Plan?
Many people put off estate planning or assume a simple will is enough. Some common mistakes include not updating documents after major life changes, failing to name alternate beneficiaries, or forgetting to fund a trust properly. As your Missouri estate lawyer we help you keep your plan up to date so it works when you need it most.
Can An Estate Lawyer Help Me Change My Executor?
Yes, you can change your executor if you decide someone else is better suited for the job. We help clients update their wills to reflect a new choice. Whether your original executor has moved away, is no longer able to serve, or you simply want someone else to handle your affairs, we make sure the change is legally valid and clearly stated in your updated estate documents.
If you have questions or want help getting started, reach out to our team at Legacy Law Center today to schedule a time to talk about your goals and how we can help protect what matters most.
