Wills & Estates
Estate Planning - An estate plan is your opportunity to provide that your interests and wishes are protected during your life and after your death. Estate planning includes the preparation of a will and other documents supporting your long range goals for your family.
At Stephens Boatwright we will begin the estate planning process by learning about you, your family and your financial situation. Working closely with you, we will develop the estate documents and tools you need to provide for your family and accomplish your goals.
Estate planning includes establishing how decisions will be made in the event of a disabling illness, and provision for the disposition of assets upon your death.
Your desires regarding specific arrangements for the benefit of others, as well as preferences concerning your own health and medical care options, need to be memorialized.
In working toward your goals, our attorneys implement sound legal strategies that can help you reduce estate taxes and expedite administrative procedures.
Estate planning provides you with an opportunity to have input in all of the important areas addressed above. Contact our firm to learn how you can accomplish your goals in these areas. Learn More >
Estate Administration - Can be fairly simple if the estate is small or quite complex in the case of larger estates where significant assets and liabilities are involved.
Estate administration includes the qualification of an executor named in a will or the appointment of an administrator in the case of a person who passed away without a will; the preparation and submission of an inventory; the management of the estate’s finances; the payment of estate debts and other liabilities; the transfer of properties and other assets; and the eventual final distribution of the estate.
Executors and Administrators have great responsibilities. They have responsibilities to the deceased family member as well as to the beneficiaries of the will who expect them to manage the estate with due diligence.
The estate administration process is often complicated by the emotions surrounding the death of a loved one and the dynamics of family relationships in a stressful atmosphere.
With the loss of a loved one, family members selected as executor or assuming the responsibilities as administrator may feel overwhelmed. Learn More >