How it works
- Select an Attorney
- Attorney Estimate / Final Approval
- Attorney and Client Work Together
- Monthly Payments Start
- Legal Work Stops / Case Closed
Every person should have a will. The related area of law practice addresses the acts of drafting and signing legally binding documents that will govern distribution of the owner’s assets (their “estate”) upon their death, or some other specific event.
The key document in this process is most often referred to as the last will and testament. The person executing the document is the testator. Other documents often drafted in connection with a last will and testaments are:
- Durable Power of Attorney: this gives signing authority to a third party in certain instances
- Medical Directive: this governs life-saving measures in the event of incapacity
- Healthcare Power of Attorney: this gives a third party power to make healthcare decisions in the event of incapacity
- Trust: this may be used to administer certain assets of the estate—either during the lifetime of the individual, or upon their death.
An attorney can help navigate, draft and execute documents for any situation, including those more complicated. If for example an estate includes real property or there are many different potential heirs or descendants that might take a portion of the estate, an attorney can help the client address potential problem areas or pitfalls that could frustrate the client’s wishes and plans. In any event, it is always a good idea to consult with an attorney to put in place a last will and testament.
