The primary goal of estate planning is for you to maintain control over what you have in the event of your incapacity, and upon your death to give what you have to whom you want, when you want, the way you want, and to do so with minimal costs, taxes and delays.

We Meet To...

    
  • Review your financial information, estimate your present and future death taxes.
  • Determine your personal and estate planning objectives.
  • Recommend an estate plan that meets your personal and estate planning objectives.
  • Review estate and gift tax issues that can help you now.
  • Review your existing life insurance coverage for estate tax planning.
  • Discuss gifting programs to reduce your estate taxes, including the use of irrevocable trusts.
  • Review your selection of executors, trustees, and agents.
  • Discuss plans to provide for you and your family in the event of your disability.
    
How To Get Started
An initial conference may be scheduled by phoning our office and requesting a noobligation consultation. You will receive from our office an Estate Planning Questionnaire that must be completed and returned to our office at least five days prior to your appointment. This enables us to become familiar with your situation so in our meeting we can better assist you with your options. Two hours are set aside for your first visit.		    
     
Checklist for You to Prioritize Your Estate Planning Goals    
  • Maintain control over your assets, under all circumstances.
  • Provide for management of your assets in the event of your disability.
  • Avoid the expenses and delays of probate in the event of your death or disability.
  • Protect beneficiaries from their spouses and/or creditors.
  • Protect your assets from a surviving spouse’s second marriage.
  • Obtain inexpensive, tax-free insurance to pay estate taxes.
  • Maintain privacy of your personal assets or business records in the event of your disability.
  • Provide management for a beneficiary who is a spendthrift.
  • Provide for a special beneficiary who suffers from a disability.
  • Save estate taxes
    
     

A Personal Note...
Some people approach estate planning with anxiety. It makes them think of death or disability - something that fosters anxiety in most of us. In reality, estate planning is really a pleasant thing to do. Not only is it a tremendous favor to yourself, it is an act of love for your family. Some hesitate to disclose their financial and family secrets to a lawyer or financial advisor. You have our utmost commitment that everything you share with us will be kept in absolute confidence. Client confidence is not only a professional ethical requirement, it is a personal commitment that we take seriously.

Many people are reluctant to get involved in some “time-based” fee arrangement that may ignore their budget. Before we perform any legal service for you, we will quote you a fixed fee for the services to be performed. In our first meeting, where you are under no obligation to retain us to do your work, you will simply be informed of various estate planning options available for your particular situation.

We look forward to helping you obtain the peace of mind that comes from proper estate planning.

GAINES &ASSOCIATES, PLLC