Services Provided

Estate Planning: Wills, Powers of Attorney, Health Care Proxies, Trusts

 

Wills describe where your assets go after you die and appoint fiduciaries to marshal those assets. However, not all assets will be distributed according to your Will. Kate can explain which assets, if any, will be subject to your Will.

Everyone needs to plan for incapacity. Health Care Proxies and Powers of Attorney allow you to appoint someone to handle important personal tasks if you are unable. If these documents are not in place and you become incapacitated, then a formal Guardianship proceeding may be required before anyone can pay bills, access your insurance information, choose medical treatments, etc. Guardianships take time and money, and often do not allow for much privacy. Kate urges all of her clients establish Health Care Proxies and Powers of Attorney.

Trusts are a wonderful tool for protecting assets, avoiding probate, minimizing taxes and divvying out funds over time to beneficiaries who may not be ready to receive a lump sum. Kate can discuss Trust options with you to determine which, if any, might be appropriate for your family.

Long-term care Planning and Medicaid Applications

 

Nursing homes are incredibly expensive and the Medicaid rules are confusing. Kate can help you and your family understand how nursing homes and Medicaid will look at your assets and income. With these rules in mind, she can assist you in implementing a plan to ensure you receive good care while preserving some financial security for your loved ones.

Estate Administration

 

Kate can help with Estate Administration after a loved one passes away. She strives to make the court process and asset marshalling as smooth as possible, so the family can focus on grieving, not on legal headaches. Kate handles Probate proceedings, Administrative proceedings, and Trust Administrations.

Guardianship proceedings

 

If a loved one loses capacity and does not have a Health Care Proxy and Power of Attorney, Kate may be able to assist with an Article 81 Guardianship Proceeding to have you or another suitable loved one appointed to make decisions for the incapacitated loved one.

If a person has been disabled since a young age and requires the appointment of someone to handle their financial and/or personal affairs, Kate may be able to assist their loved one with an Article 17A Guardianship proceeding.

Special Needs Planning

 

If you have a family member with special needs, and you are that person’s primary caregiver, you need a plan in place in case something happens to you. This is a difficult and scary place to be, but Kate would love to be part of your team to ensure your loved one is well taken care of after you pass away. Kate can help you with Supplemental Needs Trusts, Guardianships or Powers of Attorney and Health Care Proxies, as appropriate. She can also help you build the team that your successor caregiver will need, and assist you in clearly stating your instructions and wishes for the team.

Charitable Planning

 

Charitable Planning can help you minimize estate taxes, income taxes and capital gains, and can ensure you leave an impactful legacy across your whole community, during life or after death. There are many mechanisms for charitable giving. Kate would love to work with you to discover which option is right for your family.