Estate Planning
Your estate is important to you. Let us help you protect it by advising and helping you set up your deeds, wills and trusts, powers of attorney, irrevocable trusts, and special needs trusts. While it can be uncomfortable to face these decisions, making arrangements for yourself or a loved one can offer you peace of mind.
Proper Paperwork & Peace of Mind
Guidance from an Attorney
Protecting Assets with the Proper Estate Plan
There are many misconceptions about estate planning and it can be difficult to understand the intricacies of the laws involved. That is why you should get in contact with us when you need an estate planning lawyer in the Springfield and Southwest Missouri area.
What is the difference between a will and a trust? Why do you need power of attorney documents? Our attorneys will explain your options and guide you through the complex estate planning process from beginning to end. We will provide you with all the knowledge you need, so you feel empowered to make an informed decision.
Serving clients across the state of Missouri from our Springfield, Missouri location including the Branson and Ozarks region as well as all rural areas and large cities across the state.Â
Call us today to schedule a remote appointment or an in-person consultation if located in Southwest Missouri.
Wills and Trusts
Avoid Probate with the Right Documents
Estate planning is necessary to properly honor your wishes after death. Too many people put off these important documents until it is too late. Wills and Trusts serve different purposes, but often the words are interchanged. By having both a Will and a Trust as part of your estate plan, it will be the most secure for all possible outcomes.
Trusts can handle multiple contingency plans and avoid probate. Wills serve as an excellent backup plan if an asset ends up in probate. Having a Will makes the probate process cheaper and easier. End-of-life plans shouldn’t be neglected. Our experienced team is here to help guide you through the estate planning process with compassion and care.
Contact the estate planning lawyers known for exceptional service.
Get the Proper Paperwork & Peace of Mind From Our Attorneys
Powers of Attorney
Appoint an Agent to Advocate for Your Rights
Anyone can become incapacitated at any time. Consulting with a lawyer about the different types of powers of attorney and advanced planning will help protect you in that situation. If you are over the age of 18, you need to have powers of attorney in place immediately to avoid any future issues in the event of temporary incapacity or long-term disability.
Basic powers of attorney may list only a few broad duties, but a detailed General Durable Power of Attorney with comprehensive legal authority is far more effective when dealing with financial institutions and government entities. Likewise, a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care should include HIPAA and advance directive provisions to ensure your loved ones can carry out your wishes.
Make an appointment with an estate planning attorney today.
Irrevocable Trusts
Complex Estate Planning to Fit Your Specific Needs
An irrevocable trust can help protect your assets for the future. However, placing assets into a trust that cannot be easily revoked can present pitfalls, as it could be difficult to undo the transfer.
Many irrevocable trusts are designed for asset protection and typically place control of your assets in another person. This is often done for the purpose of safeguarding those assets. Growing in popularity, an Irrevocable Medicaid Asset Protection Trust allows someone to transfer assets out of their own name for the purpose of assisting in qualifying for Medicaid to pay for their nursing home care five (5) years later.Â
Let our Attorneys explain how to protect your assets.
Special Needs Trusts
Safeguard Resources for Your Special Needs Family Member
What is the purpose of a Special Needs Trust? To balance the eligibility of a person receiving benefits from government programs while keeping other family resources protected. Special Needs Trusts are a valuable tool for families with disabled or special needs loved ones.
The primary purpose of a Special Needs Trust, also known as Supplemental Needs Trusts or Supplemental Benefits Trusts, is to supplement, not replace, government benefits like Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or public housing. These trusts allow you to set aside resources to improve their quality of life without jeopardizing their eligibility for government benefits.
Hire an Attorney to properly protect the assets of your special needs family member.
Frequently Asked Questions About Estate Planning
Yes. Estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy, it’s for anyone who wants to control what happens to their assets, protect loved ones, and make things easier for family members after death or incapacity. Even a simple plan with a will, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives can save time, stress, and expense.
When planning your estate, think about who will inherit your assets, who will manage your affairs if you become incapacitated, and how to minimize court involvement. Key considerations include choosing beneficiaries, naming a guardian for minor children, selecting trusted decision-makers (personal representatives, trustees, or powers of attorney), planning for long-term care, and making sure your documents (wills, trusts, healthcare directives) comply with Missouri law.
No. A will must go through probate to be validated by the court and to transfer assets. If you want to avoid probate, tools like living trusts, beneficiary designations, or joint ownership are often used alongside a will.
Irrevocable trusts protect assets by removing them from your personal ownership and placing them under the control of a trustee. Because you no longer legally own the assets, they are generally shielded from creditors, lawsuits, and nursing home costs. These trusts are often used in Medicaid planning and estate planning to preserve wealth for beneficiaries while still allowing you to set rules for how the assets are managed and distributed.
Read More About Estate Planning
What is Probate and Why Should I Avoid It?
Probate is the legal process for handling a person’s assets upon their death. While it ensures proper administration, many families aim to avoid it due to its potentially lengthy, public, and costly nature.
How a Beneficiary Deed Works
A beneficiary deed lets you name who will receive your real estate when you pass away without going through probate.
5 Reasons to Hire An Attorney To Create Your Will
A will lets you decide who gets your assets and who manages your estate, but most Americans still do not have one. Hire an attorney to ensure you are properly protected.
Is Your Loved One With a Disability Protected?
Caring for a loved one with a disability can present significant legal and financial challenges, especially when they receive substantial funds.
How Often Should I Review My Estate Plan?
Your estate plan isn’t something you should create once and forget about. Regularly reviewing and updating it ensures your assets, loved ones, and legacy remain protected as your life and the law change.
3 Tips for Setting Up Power of Attorney
If you have concerns about your future abilities or you want to make sure that all of your bases are covered, it’s time to consider setting up a Power of Attorney.
Call Us to Hire an Estate Planning Lawyer in Southwest Missouri
We help with your estate planning needs. Our team consists of attorneys who will advise you on avoiding probate and planning for the future.
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