Estate Planning Information

Estate planning encompasses the growth, conservation, and transfer of an individual’s wealth through the creation and maintenance of an “estate plan.”  The purpose of estate planning is to develop a strategy that will maintain the financial security of individuals through their lifetime and facilitate the intended transfer of their property and assets at death, while taking into consideration the unique circumstances of the family and the potential costs of different methods.

All too often, we hear:

  • "I'm too young to do estate planning."
  • "All my property is titled in joint tenancy with my spouse so I don't need a will."
  • "Estate planning is only for the super-rich."
  • "Estate planning is too complicated and expensive."
  • "Doesn't the government provide for that?"
  • "We did our wills right after we got married 30 years ago and see no need for further planning."

If you seek advice and guidance with regard to your estate planning needs, please view our website and search for a the type of member that meets your needs.  As an alternative, you can search for an Accredited Estate Planner® (AEP®) or Estate Planning Law Specialist (EPLS) designation holder in your area on the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils website.

Featured Articles

Jim Rossman: A little planning will make things easier after you're gone

Leaving a copy of the file with your lawyer/estate planner is not a bad ... He worked for 20 years at The Dallas Morning News and now freelances as a ...

Kingston: Affluent Central Illinois families need estate planning - The Pantagraph

Estate planning in Central Illinois is important for high-net-worth households seeking strategies to help preserve wealth, manage taxes, ...

The Lessons Learned from Caregiving - TheStreet

Broadcast Retirement Network's Jeffrey Snyder discusses the financial and emotional lessons learned from being a caregiver with Zoning & Planning ...

Hergott: Avoiding probate fees and expenses - Summerland Review

An estate grant is required to transfer or access any estate assets ... planning tactic of having two wills, one for registered assets and ...

Estate Planning for families of special needs children | News - The Huntsville Item

The information in this column is not intended as legal advice but to provide a general understanding of the law. Any readers with a legal problem ...