Columbia Estate Planning Lawyer

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Congratulations on your decision to leave this important legacy to your family and loved ones.  Your estate plan will make the management of your estate clear with the help of a skilled attorney.  Without an estate plan, the government decides what happens to your property and children.  Our Columbia estate planning lawyers are available to guide you through the estate planning process.

It may be unpleasant to think about, but keep in mind that the difficult decisions you make today will save your family and loved ones from the stress of uncertainty should they otherwise have to guess at your wishes.

The typical estate plan consists of four basic documents:

  • Last will & testament
  • General durable power of attorney
  • Health care power of attorney
  • Advanced medical directive (living will)

If you are thinking of putting together your estate plan, call our office for a qualified Columbia estate planning lawyer now.

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    Last Will & Testament
    Last Will & Testament

    The most important tool in your estate plan.

    Created Specifically For You

    The primary document that everyone 18 and above needs.

    General Durable Power of Attorney
    General Durable Power of Attorney

    Appoint someone to look after your business affairs when you’re not able to.

    A Broad and Powerful Document

    Your agent will take care of things when you can’t or choose not to.

    Health Care Power of Attorney
    Health Care Power of Attorney

    Your trusted agent makes the important medical decisions when you aren’t able to.

    Ensure your medical wishes are carried out

    Appoint someone who knows how you want to be cared for and treated.

    Living Will
    Living Will

    Spare your loved ones from making the decision only you can.

    AKA Advanced Medical Directive

    Provide documentation ahead of time so your doctors know if you desire (should the situation arise) to be kept on life support.

    More Information on the Basic Four Estate Planning Documents

    Click on the tabs to the right to learn more about the four essential documents that we include in all estate plans.

    Last Will & Testament General Durable POA Health Care POA Living Will

    The Last Will and Testament is a legal document that directs and governs how your property will be transferred to others upon your death. There are formalities to a formal Will that must be followed, for example a proper attestation by witnesses. Trusts may be used inside complex Wills. An Executor, also called a Personal Representative, will be responsible for probating the Will at Court, and for carrying out the Will’s provisions.

    The General Durable Power of Attorney is a legal document that empowers another person, called an Attorney-in-Fact (meaning, Agent), to be responsible for carrying out your business affairs. This person can collect money owed to you, pay bills you owe, handle your bank accounts and investments, and buy, lease, or sell property in your name. You can make the Power of Attorney effective once it is signed, or delay its effectiveness until you are disabled from carrying on your own business affairs.

    The Health Care Power of Attorney is a legal document that directs and empowers another person, called an Attorney-in-Fact (meaning, Agent), to make health care decisions on your behalf. This Power of Attorney is usually drafted so that your Attorney-in-Fact only makes such decisions for you after you become disabled and unable to communicate with your medical providers.

    The Living Will is an advance directive to the medical providers who will be attending you at the end of your life. Since you may at that time be disabled from communicating with your medical providers, the Living Will allows you to record ahead of time your wishes for the treatment you want to have, and the treatment you do not want to have, at the end of your life. An example would be your choice as to the continuation, or not, of artificial feeding after your physician has concluded that you will not be recovering from your terminal condition.

    If you’re ready to ensure that your legacy continues and your affairs are in order, click the button
    to the right to get in touch with one of our estate planning attorneys.

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