Estate planning is about more than dividing assets; it’s about protecting your legacy and ensuring your wishes are honored. At Beckemeier LeMoine Law, we help clients make thoughtful decisions for their families and futures. Whether creating a will, establishing a trust, or preparing for unforeseen events, we simplify and streamline the process to protect your future.
Estate Planning, Defined
Estate planning is the process of making decisions about how your assets and responsibilities will be managed in the event of your incapacity or death. It involves preparing legal documents like wills, trusts, and powers of attorney to ensure your wishes are honored. Beyond distributing property, estate planning can address tax and asset protection, care for minor or special needs beneficiaries, and provide clear guidance for healthcare decisions. At Beckemeier LeMoine Law, we work with you to craft a plan that reflects your goals and protects your legacy.
Our Estate Planning Services:
- Creating revocable and irrevocable trusts to manage and protect your assets
- Preparing financial durable powers of attorney for incapacity planning
- Drafting health care powers of attorney and medical directives
- Writing wills to ensure property is distributed according to your wishes
- Establishing beneficiary deeds and non-probate transfers
- Developing strategies for asset protection and tax planning
- Setting up charitable trusts, foundations, and donor-advised funds
- Assisting with family business succession planning and life insurance trusts
- Creating special needs trusts to preserve government benefit eligibility
Estate Planning FAQs
What Is the Purpose of Estate Planning?
Estate planning ensures that your assets are distributed according to your wishes after your death while also providing for your loved ones, minimizing taxes, and protecting your legacy. Additionally, it prepares for unexpected events like incapacity by appointing trusted individuals to make financial or healthcare decisions on your behalf.
Do I Need a Will if I Already Have a Trust?
Yes, having both a will and a trust is often essential. A trust allows you to manage and distribute assets efficiently, often avoiding probate. A will serves as a backup to handle any assets not included in the trust and can name guardians for minor children, which a trust cannot do.
What Happens if I Die Without a Will?
If you pass away without a will, your property will be distributed according to state intestacy laws. In this case, the court decides who receives your assets, which may not align with your wishes. Estate planning gives you control over the distribution of your assets.
What Is a Durable Power of Attorney, and Why Do I Need One?
A durable power of attorney allows you to appoint someone you trust to manage your financial and legal affairs if you become incapacitated. This ensures your bills are paid, investments are managed, and other financial responsibilities are handled without court intervention.
Do I Need a Healthcare Power of Attorney and Medical Directive?
Yes, these documents allow you to appoint someone to make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you’re unable to do so. A medical directive provides guidance about your preferences for medical treatment, ensuring your wishes are followed in difficult situations.
What Is the Difference Between a Revocable and Irrevocable Trust?
A revocable trust can be changed or terminated during your lifetime, giving you flexibility and control over your assets. An irrevocable trust, once established, cannot be easily modified or revoked. Irrevocable trusts are often used for tax planning and asset protection.
Who Needs a Special Needs Trust?
A special needs trust is essential for individuals who want to provide for a loved one with disabilities without jeopardizing their eligibility for government benefits. It allows you to set aside funds to support their needs while ensuring they can continue receiving public assistance.
How Does Estate Planning Help With Taxes?
Estate planning can minimize estate and gift taxes through trusts, charitable giving, and strategic asset transfers. By working with an experienced attorney, you can structure your estate to maximize the value of what you leave to your loved ones while reducing the tax burden.
When Should I Update My Estate Plan?
You should review and update your estate plan after major life events, such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or the death of a beneficiary. Additionally, changes in financial circumstances or tax laws may require updates to ensure your plan remains effective and aligned with your goals.
Can Estate Planning Help Avoid Probate?
Yes, proper estate planning can help you avoid probate, which is the court-supervised process of distributing your assets. Tools like trusts, beneficiary designations, and non-probate transfers allow assets to pass directly to heirs, saving time, reducing costs, and maintaining privacy.
What Are Beneficiary Deeds, and How Do They Work?
A beneficiary deed allows you to transfer real estate to a named beneficiary without going through probate. The property remains in your control during your lifetime and transfers to the beneficiary only after your death. This is a simple and cost-effective way to pass on real estate.
Why Choose Us?
Beckemeier LeMoine Law is a trusted resource for thoughtful, personalized estate planning. We combine the strength and sophistication of a larger firm with the personal attention and care of a small team. Whether you’re planning for the future or handling probate, we are intentional, responsive, and focused on delivering solutions that align with your goals. Let us help protect your legacy—contact us today to discuss your estate planning needs.
Missouri