Estate Planning Services that come to you.
Integrity - Compassionate Guidance - Diligence
Practice Areas Include:
Wills
Trusts
Pet Trusts
Power of attorney,
Health care directives
Guardianships for minor children
LGBTQ+ Estate Planning Considerations
Estate Administration and Probate
To ensure that your estate planning documents meet your goals, Attorney Veronica Mcilraith takes the time to meet with you and gain a thorough understanding of your wishes and concerns. After gaining the necessary understanding of your assets, your family, the needs and abilities of your intended beneficiaries, and the way that you want your property distributed, she will then create an estate plan that incorporates all of your goals and concerns.
We had a fantastic experience working with Veronica. She was so well-organized and did everything we discussed efficiently and even came to our house to execute all the documents. It was a great experience!
- HM
Do something today that your future self will thank you for.
A Common Question: Do I need a Will?
Answer: The short answer is a resounding “Yes!”. A Last Will and Testament (commonly referred to as a Will) is one way that you can provide instructions for the distribution of your assets and property after you pass. Here are some factors to help determine when a Will may be beneficial for you based on life events.
The top 3 reasons you should create a Will
You want to be the one to decide how your assets will be distributed. When a person dies in New York without a Will, a judge will follow a set of default laws set by the State of New York that lays out the distribution of your assets, and property. Almost all estates have to go through probate court to start the legal process overseeing the distribution of assets but, when you don’t have a will, this process can get especially complicated and can be time-consuming, expensive, and even contentious process for your loved ones. One sentence can sum it up: if you don’t decide now, a judge will decide for you later.
You want to name the Guardian for your minor children. If you don’t appoint a Guardian, a judge will appoint one for your minor child(ren) and they may not be the relatives or friends that you would choose. Additionally, Guardianship proceedings may cost your loved one significant amounts of money. Average cost of court and Attorneys’ fees can be as much as $20,000. Don’t cost your family and children added money and stress by not naming Guardians during your life.
Lower the potential for family disputes. Without a properly executed Will your assets and property may end up in the hands of someone you do not intend to leave anything to. If you have complicated family dynamics, such as a second marriage, step-children, or are in a domestic partnership, there’s a good reason to have a will. When you die without a will, your family will have to guess at what your final wishes were. And chances are, they won’t always agree. This ambiguity can create friction, and even fights, which sometimes lasts a lifetime. Creating a will solves the problem by eliminating the guesswork for your loved ones. In addition, LGBTQ+ families still face discrimination under current state laws, especially if they are both partners of a same-sex, non married relationship. It is critical that both partners create wills specifically designating their partner as a beneficiary. For example, if one partner were to die without a will, the courts would decide who should inherit the deceased’s assets, which would always be a “blood relative,” even one remotely related, instead of a life partner.
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