Estate Planning, Probate, & Elder Law

Everyone needs an estate plan, but those plans can differ from person to person and family to family. Basic estate planning needs include Durable General Power of Attorney, Advance Directive for Health Care Decisions, and an estate planning document. That estate planning document will ensure your assets are correctly distributed to your loved ones or charities, either by Last Will and Testament or a Trust. Your goals and protective needs drive what type of estate planning tool you use and should be customized to fit your needs.

You must be educated about your options on how to pay for long term care (either at home or in a facility). The cost of long term care increases every year. Indiana is one of the best states to receive long term care and get help in paying for it. Indiana has top-notch care facilities and home-based care, most of which accept Indiana Medicaid for the Aged and Disabled. Asset preservation can be part of your estate plan and should be considered, whether you are just now beginning your estate planning, or whether it is time to update your existing plan.

You need an experienced and thoughtful attorney to guide you through the probate court and estate or trust administration. Probate is not to be feared; in fact, it can be helpful to have the guidance of the probate judge. However, the probate process can also be avoided if you plan properly and thoroughly.