Estate Planning

An estate plan is a set of documents that records what you want to happen — with your property, your care, and your decisions — if you become unable to speak for yourself or after you pass away. A well-prepared plan gives your family clear instructions at a time when guessing would be difficult.

Estate planning is not only for people with substantial assets. It is equally about naming who you trust to act for you, providing for the people who depend on you, and reducing uncertainty later.

Matters That May Include

• Wills
• Trusts
• Powers of attorney
• Medical powers of attorney
• Living wills
• Advance directives
• Estate planning strategies
• Updating an existing estate plan
• Planning for beneficiaries
• Planning for future incapacity

Reviewing a Plan You Already Have

Documents drafted years ago may no longer reflect your circumstances. Marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, a move to or from West Virginia, a change in health, or a change in assets are all reasons to revisit an existing plan and confirm that named fiduciaries and beneficiaries are still the right ones.

Planning With Probate in Mind

How an estate is documented affects what a family experiences later. Discussing probate considerations while you plan can help your representatives understand their role. The firm does not guarantee any particular tax, financial, probate, or estate outcome, and complex tax or investment questions may call for coordination with your accountant or financial advisor.

Estate Planning in Charleston and Lewisburg

With offices in Charleston and Lewisburg, the firm assists clients across West Virginia. If you are looking for an estate planning attorney in Charleston WV or Lewisburg WV, the firm welcomes your inquiry.