Plan For Your Future With Van Valer Law Firm
Planning for the final administration of your affairs constitutes the final expression of love to your family. A properly prepared estate plan will protect your family and reduce stress for the family member(s) that will one day administer your estate. Proper estate planning is important to protect your assets and put your mind at ease knowing that you have a plan in place for your future.
Van Valer Law Firm Attorney, Tom Vander Luitgaren and Eric Prime, take the time to discuss your estate planning needs with you, design estate planning documents with those needs in mind, and address any questions or concerns you have along the way. Our lawyers stay up-to-date on the latest federal laws and Indiana rules and regulations affecting estate protection matters.
Make an appointment today – advance planning reduces uncertainties about the estate’s distribution and maximizes the estate’s value by decreasing taxes and other unplanned expenses.
Creating a Will
Your Will primarily identifies the person responsible for the administration of your final affairs. A Will includes instructions as to whom should receive what from your probate estate. We can help you to identify the person best suited to carry out these responsibilities.
Trusts
A Trust is similar to a Will, but unlike a Will, a Trust doesn’t have to die with you. Assets can stay in your Trust and be managed by a designated Trustee until your beneficiaries reach an age where they can responsibly manage the gift. A Trust may also be used for asset protection purposes.
Power of Attorney
A Power of Attorney allows you to designate someone to manage your assets, pay bills, and make decisions on your behalf should you become unable to handle your own financial matters. A Power of Attorney is worth its weight in gold because it is undoubtedly less expensive than a Guardianship proceeding. If you do not create a Power of Attorney, and you become incapacitated, someone has to go to Court to seek Guardianship over your affairs.
Healthcare Power of Attorney
A healthcare designation names someone that you trust to make health care decisions on your behalf should you become unable to do so. A Healthcare Power of Attorney can also be referred to as a Health Care Proxy or Agent.
A Living Will
A Living Will indicates your specific desires about life-sustaining treatments in a variety of medical situations, such as cardiac resuscitation, mechanical respiration, tube feeding, or antibiotics. A Living Will answers questions like, “Do you want to donate your organs?” or “Do you want pain relief only?”