Estate Planning Lawyer O’Fallon, Missouri
Protecting Your Legacy with Trusted Legal Guidance
Estate planning is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your loved ones and ensure your wishes are honored. At Legacy Law Center, we help O’Fallon families, individuals, and business owners create customized estate plans that bring peace of mind today and security for the future. Whether you need to write your first will, set up a trust, or update existing documents, our attorneys make the process clear, efficient, and tailored to your needs.
Why Work With an Estate Planning Attorney?
While it’s possible to draft basic documents on your own, estate planning involves complex legal, tax, and probate considerations that can significantly affect your family’s future. Our team, led by experienced attorney Charles J. Moore, has guided countless clients through wills, trusts, probate, and incapacity planning. We ensure your documents are legally enforceable, clearly written, and aligned with Missouri law—reducing the risk of disputes and delays.
Core Estate Planning Services We Offer
We handle every aspect of estate planning, including:
1. Wills
A will outlines who inherits your assets and who will serve as your executor. It can also designate guardians for minor children or even pets. Without a will, Missouri law decides how your estate is divided—often in ways you wouldn’t choose.
2. Trusts
Trusts offer privacy, flexibility, and in many cases, the ability to avoid probate.
Common options include:
- Revocable Living Trusts – Allows you to manage assets during your lifetime and transfer them directly to beneficiaries after death without probate.
- Irrevocable Trusts – Permanently removes assets from your taxable estate for asset protection and potential tax benefits.
- Specialized Trusts – Such as life insurance trusts, charitable trusts, and pet trusts.
3. Powers of Attorney
Durable powers of attorney let you appoint someone to make financial or healthcare decisions if you become incapacitated. This ensures your affairs are managed by someone you trust.
4. Advance Healthcare Directives & Living Wills
These documents guide medical providers on your treatment preferences if you can’t speak for yourself.
5. Probate Guidance
If a loved one has passed, we can help navigate Missouri’s probate process—resolving debts, validating the will, and distributing assets as efficiently as possible.
Avoiding Probate
Probate can take months or even over a year, and costs can reduce the value of the estate. We can help you implement strategies—such as revocable living trusts, beneficiary designations, and joint ownership—to transfer assets directly to heirs without court involvement.
Estate Planning in Uncertain Times
The COVID-19 pandemic reminded many families that the unexpected can happen at any time. At Legacy Law Center, we continue to offer virtual consultations and remote document preparation so you can complete your estate plan without leaving home. Whether you’re creating a new plan or updating an existing one, we make the process safe, accessible, and convenient.
Common Estate Planning Questions
Do I really need an estate plan if I don’t have many assets?
Yes. Even without significant property, you should have a plan for medical decisions, guardianship for children, and the distribution of personal items.
What happens if I die without a will?
Missouri’s intestacy laws determine who inherits your property. This may result in outcomes you wouldn’t choose.
What is the difference between a will and a trust?
A will goes through probate and only takes effect after death. A trust can take effect during your lifetime, avoid probate, and provide ongoing management of assets.
How often should I update my estate plan?
We recommend reviewing it every 3–5 years or after major life changes such as marriage, divorce, birth of a child, or significant financial shifts.
Can estate planning reduce taxes?
While Missouri currently has no state estate tax, federal estate taxes may apply to larger estates. Strategic planning can help minimize or eliminate this burden.
Why Choose Legacy Law Center?
- Local O’Fallon experience with Missouri-specific estate laws.
- Comprehensive approach that addresses both legal and personal considerations.
- Personalized service—your plan is never “cookie-cutter.”
- Proven track record in estate planning, probate, and trust administration.
Take the First Step Toward Protecting Your Legacy
It’s never too early to start your estate plan—and waiting can leave your loved ones facing unnecessary stress and legal hurdles.
Call Legacy Law Center today at (636) 887-5297 or use our secure online contact form to schedule a free initial consultation.
We have offices in O’Fallon, St. Charles, and Winghaven, and offer virtual estate planning services for your convenience.
