Hudson estate planning lawyers protecting the interests of clients in Wisconsin and Minnesota

Estate Planning

Nothing provides peace of mind like a well-made estate plan.

Estate planning is more than drafting wills, trusts, and other legal documents. It can protect the assets you worked so hard to accumulate during your life. Estate planning is a way to remember those you loved. It is a way to say thank you to the individuals and organizations that have been important to you.

A well-made estate plan gives your heirs clear instructions and provides you with peace of mind. By making your wishes known in advance, your family members will not have to make difficult choices on your behalf during a stressful time. That in itself is a beautiful gift.

Flat fee estate planning services

At O’Neill Elder Law,  we offer comprehensive estate planning services. Our estate planning attorneys will listen to your concerns and explain all your options in clear English — not legalese. We offer estate planning on a flat fee basis. That means you can weigh the costs and benefits of each choice before selecting the options that are right for you.

Our estate planning tools include:

  • Trusts: Including revocable trusts, irrevocable trusts, and trusts for family members who have disabilities. We can even create trusts for your pets.
  • Wills: Ranging from simple wills to plans for people with extensive and complex assets
  • Powers of attorney for your finances and health care: Naming those you choose to make decisions on your behalf should you become unable to do so yourself
  • Advance health care directives, also known as medical directives or living wills: Specifying what actions health care professionals should take if you are unable to make your wishes known
  • Asset protection: Protecting your assets for heirs but also for a healthy spouse if the other spouse is in a long-term care facility

Hourly estate planning services

  • Probate and estate administration: Opening the estate, notifying potential creditors, inventorying assets, paying bills, filing final tax returns, dealing with any claims against the estate, closing the estate, and distributing the remaining assets

 

From simple wills and essential documents to complicated estate plans

 

No two clients are exactly alike. Our process helps you identify your goals and allows us to recommend options that make sense for you.

  • Are you and your spouse parents of minor children? We can draft a will that names guardians for your children and provides for their financial support in the event of your death.
  • Do you own complex assets? Our law firm is experienced in creating estate plans for clients with complicated holdings and significant assets, including investments, real estate, businesses, farms, rental property, collections, and intellectual property.
  • Should you put your house in a trust? It all depends on your individual circumstances, family dynamics, and goals.
“Clients tell us that they appreciate that we explore all the options and explain them in very understandable language.” — Attorney Jennifer A. O’Neill.

Common misconceptions about estate planning

Many people are embarrassed that they don’t know about probate, trusts, and other estate planning topics. Our response is, “Why should you?” For most people these are new concepts. It is our job to help you understand your choices.

We give you accurate, up-to-date information, and explain how it affects your specific situation. Here are four common misconceptions about estate planning:

  • Estate planning is expensive: It does not have to be. We offer simple, straight-forward options and tell you upfront what they will cost. Lack of an estate plan or “do-it-yourself” solutions often end up costing more in the long run.
  • Estate planning is only for the rich: We focus on achieving your goals with the assets and resources you have available, not on the size of your estate.
  • Trusts are only for the very wealthy: That is not the case. You do not need to be rich to consider a trust as part of your estate plan.
  • Our family has too many issues: Clients often believe that their family is out of the ordinary, because it faces certain challenges. In our professional opinion, no family is normal. We all have our individual issues to address.
  • I am too young to need an estate plan: Regardless of your age, an estate plan can help your family at times when you are unable to make decisions for yourself. A thorough plan will provide your loved ones peace of mind that they are following your wishes.
  • Estate planning is only for people with children: Everyone can benefit from an estate plan, as it is more than a means to provide for the future needs of children. An estate plan can include health care preferences, disposition of your assets, and decisions regarding your finances.

 

We provide a safe place to talk about your family, your assets, your goals, and any challenges you face. We are here to help, not to judge, and you can rely on our professionalism and discretion.

When it comes to estate planning, there is no time like the present. Why not call us today at 715-808-0610. From offices in Hudson, we represent estate planning clients in Wisconsin and Minnesota