Patricia's focus
services
- Wills
- Trusts
- Power of Attorney
- Probate
- Trust Administration
- Entity Formation & Maintenance
- Purchase & Sale Agreements
- Co-habitation Agreements
Patricia focuses on the essential planning you need for your estate. Don't be misled by the term "estate," everyone has one! It is simply the word used for everything you own, and the phrase "estate plan" includes vital decisions such as a guardian for your children and who will make decisions for you if you can't make them on your own.
Wills
A will is the most important, basic estate planning tool. It allows you to gift your property to specific persons or entities in the amount you desire, name a personal representative to handle your affairs after death and designate a guardian for your minor children. Without a will, all of these things will be decided by the State. A will also waives the requirement of a bond, which can be a costly expense for your estate.
As part of your plan, you will also receive a power of attorney and advance directive.
Trusts
There are many varieties of trusts. The most common is the revocable living trust. This is a trust created during your lifetime and revocable by you at any time. Unlike a will, a trust can avoid the probate process assuming it is properly maintained. It also allows you to disburse gifts over time and according to certain terms set out by you. For more information on trusts and other estate planning tools, see My Article on the Resources page.
As part of a trust plan, you also receive a will, power of attorney, advance directive, and one deed to transfer real property.
Probate
As a personal representative or trustee of a loved one’s estate, handling the administration process can be a daunting task in a time when you are already experiencing difficult emotions. Working with an experienced attorney to help you navigate this complex process is essential in getting an estate settled efficiently. Whether your loved one left a will, a trust, or nothing at all, we can help you through the court procedures or administer the trust so you don’t face these tasks alone.
Trust Administration
Not all trusts are created equal. Some are a few pages, others fill a large binder. Most often the selected Trustee is left bewildered. Patricia can help. From a standard living trust to a complex tax planning trust, we will guide you through the administration every step of the way.
Business Services
Starting and running a business is hard enough without having to think about legal implications. However, entity formation and maintenance is one of the most important tasks a small business needs to do. Working with an attorney to ensure you are set up and running properly to maintain your status and liability protection is key. We also help clients put a succession plan in place to preserve the legacy you have worked so hard to build.
Agreements
Patricia can help you put your agreement into writing so that all parties have a clear understanding of the deal and help you think about the things you may not have thought about on your own.