Experienced Alpharetta Estate Planning Attorneys
Whether you are preparing for your future or looking for assistance carrying out your probate responsibilities, it is important to hire a knowledgeable lawyer who is willing to explain your options and patiently guide you as you make decisions.
At Lerman Law Associates, P.C., founding attorney Craig Lerman understands the emotional implications associated with estate planning and probate administration.
By providing you with dependable legal guidance, our legal team can eliminate some of the stress and assist you in protecting your assets and overall well-being. With law offices in Alpharetta and Kennesaw, our lawyers proudly serve clients in Fulton County, Cobb County and throughout the Atlanta metro area.
How To Accurately Convey Your Wishes
Undergoing the estate planning process allows parents to develop a contingency plan in the event they are no longer able to care for their children. Estate planning also provides a way for people to transfer future legal responsibilities, dictate how their assets will be distributed and help to maintain a certain standard of living.
After discussing your goals and objectives, our attorneys will convey your wishes by drafting some of the following documents:
We have experience handling estates of all sizes.
Probate Administration
The passing of a loved one is a difficult and emotionally charged time without the added stress of legal issues. At Lerman Law Associates, P.C., we help clients properly carry out their probate responsibilities.
Some issues we can assist you with include:
- Transfer of property
- Tax responsibilities
- Guardianships
- Will contests (representing either the estate or those contesting the estate)
Who Needs An Estate Plan?
Estate planning is essential for anyone who wants to ensure their assets are distributed according to their wishes after their passing. While everyone can benefit from an estate plan, parents of minor children, individuals with significant assets or those who own a business can especially benefit from proper planning. With a strong estate plan, you can protect your dependents, reduce tax obligations, and minimize family infighting and conflicts. Regardless of the size of your estate, having a plan in place can provide peace of mind and protect your loved ones.
Revising Or Revisiting An Estate Plan
It’s crucial to regularly review and update your estate plan to reflect changes in your life circumstances or financial situation. If you have experienced a major life event, such as a marriage, divorce, childbirth, adoption or the passing of a beneficiary, now is the best possible time to update your estate plan. It is also important to watch out for any changes in laws or financial conditions that could change what you are able to give after your passing. By keeping in touch with an attorney, you can help defend your best wishes, provide your loved ones with the security they need after your passing and have more peace of mind about the future.
Why Work With An Estate Planning Attorney?
While DIY estate planning might seem like a simpler method of planning for the future, it can expose you to serious problems down the road. Without an experienced estate planning attorney who can provide valuable guidance to ensure your documents are legally sound and comprehensive, your beneficiaries may not receive what you intended for them. Poorly created estate planning documents can be entirely invalid, create opportunities for contestation or leave beneficiaries exposed to substantial tax issues. By working with a professional, you can avoid common pitfalls and ensure that your estate plan fully protects your interests and those of your beneficiaries.
Frequently Asked Questions About Estate Planning
At Lerman Law Associates, P.C., our estate planning lawyers are dedicated to helping you. We can answer any questions you may have about estate planning. Here are some questions we can help you with:
What is the difference between a will and a living will?
A will is a legal document that helps organize the distribution of assets after a person passes away. The person who writes the will can decide who should inherit from the estate, including property, vehicles, jewelry and savings. Siblings, children, parents and friends can be named beneficiaries of the estate through a will. An estate executor is also named in the will as the person responsible for fulfilling the deceased’s last wishes and ushering the estate through probate.
A living will is a legal document that helps specify a person’s medical care if they are unable to do so by themselves. Typically, this would happen if the person receiving medical care suffers a traumatic injury or medical condition that leaves them incapacitated. Doctors and nurses can be informed of a person’s medical preferences with a medical will. A living will can decide whether the person receiving medical care should, for example, go on life support, have feeding tubes or medication, be renewed or have their organs donated.
What is a revocable living trust?
A revocable living trust allows a grantor to retain full control over assets transferred over to a trust. The grantor can remove or add assets to the trust at any time. Furthermore, the grantor can revoke the terms of the trust. When the grantor passes away, assets in the revocable living trust are transferred according to the trust’s terms.
Can I have both a will and a trust in Georgia?
Yes. A will is necessary to have a trust. While a trust is not necessary to have alongside a will, this legal document can help protect assets from taxes, probate and disputes. You can talk to our attorneys to discuss the benefits of having a trust.
What are beneficiary designations?
A designated beneficiary is someone who is named in a will or trust to inherit assets from the deceased’s estate. The person who drafts the will or trust can name anyone as a beneficiary, including their spouse, children, siblings, parents or friends.
Have Further Questions? Contact Us Today!
To discuss your estate plan with our experienced estate planning attorneys, call 678-888-5773 or contact us online to schedule an appointment at our offices in Alpharetta or Kennesaw. We serve clients throughout the Atlanta metro area and provide virtual or remote meeting options.