Custom estate plans for real peace of mind
Protect and preserve what matters most
Estate law was designed with a narrow idea of family in mind.
For those of us without generational wealth, or who have created a non-traditional family, it may seem inaccessible.
Everyone deserves the chance to keep their families out of court and conflict.
What exactly is estate planning?
An estate plan determines what happens to you, your minor children, and your property if you become incapacitated and when you die.
No plan? The court will make these decisions for you.
A generic plan leaves out important details that your family needs to carry out your wishes. With the right guidance, an estate plan can offer real peace of mind.
We make sure nothing falls through the cracks.
No need for any prior legal knowledge. Show up with a desire to keep your family out of court and conflict. We handle the rest.
Your life is worth more than what’s in the bank. Your estate plan should reflect that.
A holistic estate plan may include…-
A will is a standard document in estate plans. It can detail how you wish your money and physical possessions to be distributed when you die. But if you die with only a will or no plan at all, your family must go to probate court to settle your estate. Probate court is public , can involve attorney’s fees, and can last anywhere from 5 months to several years.
-
Created for your benefit during your lifetime, you can use a trust to pass your assets to your loved ones when you die without probate court. This can save your family time and money. We’ll walk you through the different trust options and the importance of funding your trust so it actually works.
-
Your family shouldn’t have to hunt down your insurance claims and bank accounts while trying to grieve. We’ll build a comprehensive inventory of your assets and store it on a secure platform. You’ll be financially organized and your loved ones will not be left with a mess.
-
An outright monetary gift to your children leaves that money vulnerable. We can walk you through the most airtight asset protection to guard your children’s inheritance from future creditors, lawsuits, and divorces.
-
It’s not enough to name long-term guardians for your children in your will. They might still end up in foster care if you become incapacitated. Our Kids Protection Plan avoids these common pitfalls. We thoroughly document temporary guardians, healthcare information, and parenting instructions. We even create emergency ID cards for your wallet. Every parent with minor children deserves this level of planning.
-
I became chronically ill at 26 years old. I know first-hand that bodies get sick and our capacity can fluctuate. We can make caregiving easier for our community by signing medical waivers and drafting detailed health care directives before an emergency strikes. This is crucial for LGTBQ+ and unmarried couples who want their partner to have the legal right to make health care decisions on their behalf.
-
The guardians, executors, and other people you’ve named in your plan deserve to know what you are asking of them before the worst happens. We send letters to all of them so they are prepared and fully understand your wishes.
And much more!Already have a plan?
We can review it and identify any gaps with our 50-point checklist.
Helen R.
“Cassandra guided me through hard decisions about what I wanted for my care. Her gentle approach allowed me to consider how to make my ending good for me and good for those I am asking to be my voice when I have none.”
Want to work together?
If our process and philosophy aligns with yours, reach out. We’d love to explore how we can help.