Whether you’re planning for your future medical care or establishing support for loved ones upon your death, Attorney Michael F. Suarez, can help with all aspects of your possible death or disability, including:
- Last Will and Testament – A document, effective only at death, in which you (1) designate who inherits your probate assets, (2) nominate a personal representative to distribute your probate assets after paying debts and taxes, and (3) if you have a minor child, nominate a guardian to be appointed to care for the minor.
- Durable Power of Attorney – This document allows you to appoint a person to handle all of your financial affairs until your death. A durable power of attorney will help avoid the need for conservatorship proceedings in Probate Court, which would involve the need for court permission on many financial transactions. The powers given to the person you appoint in a durable power of attorney must be specifically authorized, so a durable power of attorney must be tailored to your specific wants and needs.
- Health Care Proxy – This document designates and individual who will make medical decisions for you in the event you are unconscious or mentally impaired, either temporarily or long-term. The health care proxy can usually help avoid the need for guardianship proceedings in Probate Court and can contain a written expression of your preferences for end-of-life care.
- Declaration of Homestead – This is a recordable document that can protect the first $500,000.00 of your home’s equity from lawsuits.
Trust –A trust can be utilized for differing reasons, including: (1) to avoid probate; (2) to allow somebody of your choosing to manage your assets for you if you become incompetent, and avoid the need for conservatorship proceedings in Probate Court; (3) to provide for the protection of assets for minor or disabled children; (4) to minimize estate taxes for yourself or you and your spouse; (5) to preserve assets in case of a long-term nursing home stay; and (6) to take care of pets. There are many varieties of trusts that can hold assets for the benefit of you and other persons, and trusts can be revocable (completely amendable), irrevocable (mostly or completely
unchangeable), or testamentary (included as a part of your Last Will and Testament). - Prenuptial or Postnuptial Agreement – This document can be limited to protecting the inheritance rights of your children from a prior marriage or relationship. In this office, we often refer to it as an Estate Planning Agreement.
Contact An Experienced Cape Cod Estate Planning Attorney
Contact Attorney Mike Suarez at (508) 759-1122 today to schedule a consultation.
