Statistics show that many people have not adequately planned for what will happen to their property and hard-earned savings when they die or are rendered incapacitated due to illness or tragedy. The attorneys in the Estate Planning and Probate Practice Group at LeVander, Gillen & Miller, P.A. make sure that your wishes are carried out and that the process is handled in a dignified, organized, and cost-effective manner. We work closely with you, your financial advisors, and accountants to ensure that your estate plan achieves your goals. With proper estate planning, you can protect your privacy, provide for management of your property and assets, avoid costly probate proceedings, control the distribution of property, and minimize taxation. The following is a sampling of the types of tools and services we can provide to assist you in creating an estate plan that best suits your needs:

Wills - Wills provide a simple and cost-effective way to determine how your estate will be distributed. For clients with children, wills provide an effective means to determine who will serve as a guardian for the children in the event of the parents' death.

Trust Wills - Wills containing trusts are a powerful estate planning tool. Our "credit shelter" trusts help to minimize state and federal estate taxes and provide for continued asset management. Trust wills can also provide for the support and education of minor children, the medical needs of disabled family members, and asset management and protection for the surviving spouse.

Revocable Living Trusts - Living trusts are an excellent means to maintain family privacy, avoid the costs of probate proceedings, and provide for ongoing asset management in the event of disability. Like our trust wills, living trusts can often significantly minimize state and federal estate taxes.

Charitable Trusts - Often our clients benefit from the donation of assets. In appropriate cases, charitable trusts provide estate planning benefits by establishing additional cash flow, while providing a much-appreciated contribution to a designated charity. Let us show you how leaving a legacy can have financial benefits for your estate, as well as for your favorite charitable organization.

Personal Residence Trusts - Clients who own a home or vacation home that they wish to pass on to their children or grandchildren may benefit by creating a personal residence trust. Personal residence trusts allow you to "freeze" the value of a residence and prevent the appreciation of the property from being subject to estate tax.

Succession Planning for the Closely Held and Family Business - Unfortunately, many family-owned businesses do not survive succession to the next generation upon the death of the business owner. This is often due to lack of proper succession planning. Our estate planning and corporate attorneys work together with you to prepare and execute an effective succession plan and minimize taxation.

Estate Planning for the Larger Estate - Larger estates require special estate planning services. ILIT's, FLP's, FLLC's, GRITS, GRATS, GRUTS, SKINS, and gifting programs are just some of the techniques available to reduce estate taxes and transfer assets.

Planning for Incapacity or Disability - Estate planning is more than planning for death - it includes planning for any unfortunate event that could leave you unable to manage your own property or assets. Don't let a tragedy or illness find you unprepared. Our attorneys draft health care directives, "living wills," and financial powers of attorney to ensure that your wishes are carried out and your affairs are properly managed should you become incapacitated or disabled.

Probate Services - In addition to estate planning services, our attorneys provide effective probate representation. Our probate lawyers are experienced with probate proceedings and use the most advanced technology to manage the estate throughout the probate process. From the initial court appearance to the final accounting, we make the probate process as pleasant as possible. In addition, we maintain relations with several independent accounting firms that are available to provide tax advice and prepare tax returns for the estate.

Effective estate planning involves more than signing a simple will. Our attorneys work with you and your family to create an estate plan that best suits all of your needs and wishes. Let us show you how estate planning tools can help you prepare for the future, provide for your loved ones, and minimize the impact of taxes.