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What is Estate Planning?

As you prepare to make sure your loved ones are cared for when you are no longer there to care for them, it is important to consider developing a comprehensive estate plan that is tailored to the unique aspects of your situation. While you may be familiar with wills and how they ensure your property is divided according to your wishes, it is important to make yourself familiar with trusts and how they can protect your property from public scrutiny, probate and taxes.

A trust is a legal entity designed to hold and invest property for the benefit of another. Trusts may be established during your lifetime or after your death as outlined in your will. Some trusts allow you to remain in complete control of your property while others limit your control.

Types of trusts include:

Revocable Trusts—A revocable trust allows `you to maintain ownership and control over your property. The terms of the trust may be changed by you at any time while you are still mentally competent.

Irrevocable Trusts—With an irrevocable trust, you relinquish ownership and control of the property placed in the trust. Once the terms of the trust are in place, you may not change them.

Testamentary Trusts—A testamentary trust is established after your death, through a will.

A competent estate planning lawyer should be able to help you understand the differences between the various types of trusts available to you, make you aware of the tax consequences of each and assist you in selecting the appropriate vehicle to maximize your estate goals.

If you own property, if your marital status has changed, if you have children or if you wish to leave an inheritance to a friend or relative it is important to seek the advice of an estate planning lawyer. An experienced attorney can help you understand all the options you have available to you in the estate planning process and help you develop the best plan for your situation and goals.

Estate Planning Articles

• What is a Living Will? A living will is a legal document that a person uses to make known his or her wishes regarding life prolonging medical treatments.
• Wills: Why You Need One Many people wonder if they really need a will.
• Estate Planning for Fathers As a father, it’s hard to think about not being there for your son or daughter. Estate planning allows you to make sure your family is cared for when you are no longer there to care for them.
• Updating Your Estate Plan It's a good idea to update your estate plan every few years or after the occurrence of significant life events.

Estate Planning Forms

• Estate planning forms by state. Complete estate planning package containing a Will, Power of Attorney, Living Will or Advanced Health Care Directive, Estate Planning Questionnaire, Life Documents Organization Checklist and more!
• Last Will & Testament
• Power of Attorney
• Revocable Living Trust
• Very Simple Will

Estate Planning Links

• ABA's Section of Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section news, publications, membership information.
• American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys A membership organization of estate planning attorneys from across the nation.
• American College of Trust and Estate Counsel A professional association consisting of lawyers from throughout the United States.
• Charitable Gift Planning Case studies, articles, continuing education, professional resources for estate and gift planning.
• Choices in Dying Legal information on dying.
• Robert Clofine's Estate Planning Page Articles on wills, estate planning, death taxes and elder law issues from an estate planning lawyer in Pennsylvania.
• Coalition on Donation Includes information on organ and tissue donation.
• Estate Planning Articles From King, Peterson and Dymond LLP.

Estate Planning Attorneys By State

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho

Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri

Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania

Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico

Featured Estate Planning Attorneys

Houston Texas Estate Planning Attorney-Keith Peterson
Estate Planning is an important aspect of providing for your family. Do you need estate planning help? Are you located in Houston? If so contact attorney Keith D. Peterson. Keith has over 20 years of estate planning experience.