Nobody really wants to think about their own death — it can be an uncomfortable topic to discuss. As a result, estate planning is something that people tend to put off doing. But taking the time to meet with a South Jersey estate planning lawyer is the best way to make sure that all of your wishes are carried out and that your assets are properly protected. When you work with the attorneys at Cohen Fineman LLC, you are putting the future of your finances into the hands of knowledgeable professionals. We will listen carefully, take the time to understand your wants and needs, and then put together a legal document that details your plan for the distribution of your estate.
Estate planning is a highly personal thing, but the South Jersey estate planning lawyers at Cohen Fineman LLC believe that it always involves identifying our clients’ goals and objectives and then finding the best way to accomplish them. Our comprehensive estate planning often includes preparing:
- Wills – Wills spell out important issues that must be carried out after your death, including the distribution of assets, the payment of debts, the assignment of an executor, the designation of guardians for minor children and final wishes for funeral arrangements
- Trusts – A trust is a private document that lets you transfer assets into a trust and then distribute them to your chosen beneficiaries. Trusts can be revocable or irrevocable, with revocable trusts able to be amended during your lifetime and irrevocable ones being inalterable once created. The advantage of an irrevocable trust is that its assets are generally not subject to estate tax.
- Living Wills and Advanced Health Care Directives – These documents describe your preferences for end-of-life-care, and serve as your voice when you are not able to speak for yourself.
- Powers of Attorney – A power of attorney indicates who you are directing to speak or act for you in the event that you are unable to speak for yourself. We will help prepare both a medical power of attorney and a property power of attorney.
- Charitable Trusts – Charitable trusts enable donors to realize significant income and estate tax benefits while contributing to a worthy cause.
- Family/Individual Business Arrangements – Those who own their own business or are part of family businesses need to make special plans to protect the assets of the business after their death or disability, and may include buy-sell agreements, liability insurance, and generation-skipping trusts to hold assets for future generations.
Taking the time to meet with a South Jersey estate planning lawyer from Cohen Fineman LLC can put your mind at ease and give you the confidence that you have taken control of what will happen to your assets after you are gone. For more information about our services, contact our office and set up a convenient appointment.
Learn more from our South Jersey Estate Planning Lawyers HERE.