When you have decided it is time to discuss your estate planning needs for the first time, it is only natural to wonder where you should start. The easy answer is to begin by contacting an estate planning attorney. After all, protecting everyone you love and everything you own is not the same as fearlessly taking on a do it yourself project around the house. It requires proper guidance from someone who can help you make informed decisions and tailor a plan that covers you and your family’s unique needs from A to Z.

You have options when choosing an estate planning attorney to help you get started. From there, it is essential to assess which document(s) best suit you. The good news is that you do not have to decide which document(s) make the most sense for you and your family. That is why choosing an estate planning attorney like Leigh Hilton PLLC is always the best place to start. We take the time to understand your unique situation and carefully explain every estate planning document and how it may benefit you. For most people, estate planning begins with a Last Will and Testament. 

Having a Will Is a Wise First Step

A Last Will and Testament, commonly called a Will, is a legal document that lets everyone know your final wishes. Wills certainly are not the “end all, be all” to estate planning documents — that said, they are widely viewed as a wise “first step” for anyone new to estate planning. Not to mention, many people prefer them for their simplicity.

Think of your Will as a detailed list of instructions that spell out exactly how you want your property distributed after you pass away and to whom. You can be as detailed as you want with your Will, and it is easy to elect someone to handle these affairs after you are gone.

With a Will, you can do any of the following:

• Create a specific plan for how your estate should be divided and disbursed
• Designate legal guardians for your minor children and other dependents
• Appoint an executor to carry out your wishes
• Name beneficiaries — the people who will receive your assets or money 

Is a Will All I Need?

While a Will is a great place to start your estate plan, it is advisable to explore other estate planning tools. Could you get away with only having a Will? Sure! It is better than having nothing in place at all. However, a well-rounded estate plan has many benefits, including reducing the chance of family conflict, avoiding probate, and reducing taxes. And that is just a shortlist of benefits.

Examples of other estate planning tools you could need, in addition to a Will, include Recovable Living Trusts, Special Needs Trusts, Advanced Healthcare Directives, HIPAA Authorizations, Medical Power of Attorney, and Financial Power of Attorney.

When combined and updated regularly, these documents ensure your bases are covered today, tomorrow, and for years down the road.

The good news is that you do not have to decide which document(s) make the most sense for you and your family. That is why choosing an estate planning attorney like Leigh Hilton PLLC is always the best place to start. We take the time to understand your unique situation and carefully explain every estate planning document and how it may benefit you. I‌ ‌would ‌look‌ ‌for‌ ‌attorneys‌ ‌who:

1. Focus ‌on‌ ‌the‌ ‌practice area you need the most 
2. Have ‌good‌ ‌reviews and ‌that‌ ‌other‌ ‌people‌ ‌are‌ ‌saying‌ ‌good‌ ‌things‌ ‌about‌ ‌them
3. ‌‌Belong‌ ‌to‌ ‌professional‌ ‌organizations‌ ‌in‌ ‌those‌ ‌particular‌ ‌areas ‌

Call Leigh Hilton PLLC Today!

It can be overwhelming when you know it is time to discuss estate planning, but you do not know where to start. Sitting down with a knowledgeable estate planning attorney is your best bet. Call Leigh Hilton PLLC in Denton, and we will work with you to determine the best strategy for your unique situation. Proper planning of an estate helps ensure your wishes are honored.

Leigh Hilton PLLC wants to be your first call every time for any estate planning need. We look forward to serving you.