For many people when they approach the topic of estate planning, they immediately think of money. While it’s true that financial assets are a major part of any estate planning process, in reality a skilled estate planning attorney can help you with a wide array of issues pertaining to your final wishes. From medical treatment decisions to multigenerational trusts, the right attorney can assist you in virtually all areas.

First and foremost, having an estate planning attorney means you’ll have a knowledgeable and objective third-party present when making any decisions related to your estate. When it comes to assigning powers of attorney, especially concerning health and medical related decisions, this alone can prove to be an invaluable asset. An estate planning attorney can help you make the wisest decision in regards to the laws in your state and county.

An estate planning attorney can also help explain some of the more complex rules and regulations regarding setting up trusts, especially as they pertain to tax law. Protect as much of your estate as you can by enlisting an attorney to properly set up your multigenerational trusts so that your family and your family’s family can enjoy the fruits of your labor for generations to come.

Finally, an estate planning attorney has knowledge in the area of business succession. If you have spent a lifetime building up a commercial enterprise, you’ll want to rest assured that when the time comes, the transition of leadership and assets will be as seamless as possible. They can also help ensure that your business assets remain protected from unanticipated tax exposure.

It’s time to protect your assets by preparing for the future with an estate planning attorney. Contact the law office of Goldenberg Heller & Antognoli, P.C. to start the process today. Fill out our contact form, and an experienced legal expert will get back to you as quickly as possible.

When you’re getting married, meeting with a lawyer to discuss an estate plan is probably the last thing on your mind. You and your spouse are busy settling on a new home or apartment and planning the wedding itself. This is a mistake. As you plan to merge lives with the one you love, don’t forget you’ll also be merging finances, properties, assets and possibly even children. For these reasons, contacting an estate planning attorney should be a huge priority as you plan your upcoming nuptials.

Here’s how an estate planning attorney can help you on your road to the altar:

• Draft prenuptial or premarital agreements that stipulate how finances and other assets will be divided up in the event of a divorce.
• Prepare durable powers of attorney, which give your spouse the rights to make decisions regarding finances, accounts and other household matters should you become incompetent or otherwise unable to do so yourself.
• File healthcare powers of attorney and advance directives, which give your spouse the power to make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you’re unable to think or act on your own. These can also detail your preferences on end-of-life care (such as resuscitation).
• Help you plan for future joint tax filings so you can structure your estate as effectively as possible. This will allow you to reduce your tax liabilities and set up trusts and other forms of asset protection.
• Draft wills, allowing you to bequeath certain accounts or parts of your estate to your new spouse or their/your children.
• Change beneficiaries on your life insurance policies, trusts or accounts. An estate planning attorney can also include your new spouse in your business succession plan if you own your own business.

Are you heading to the altar soon? Then contact an estate planning attorney at Goldenberg Heller & Antognoli, P.C. today. Our experts can help ensure a smooth union between you and your spouse.