Looking for an estate trust attorney

[Buckshot Bill]

A friend has suggested that we'd be better off with a trust set up for our "estate" instead of a will. Do any of you know a lawyer that you'd trust to do this? I don't want to just pick one from a google list or the yellow pages.
Or maybe a legal aid group ? or something like that to at least talk to and get some info ?
Thanks for any enlightenment,

Buckshot Bill

 

[YNOTAZ]

They all use boilerplate and alter small parts for your needs.

Think about what you want to accomplish, make sure it is revocable, Think about any special requirements, "daughter A wants wedding ring",, "son B" has a felony, no guns to him, and one HUGE point, to consider, most trusts have a part that says when you or your spouse dies, 50% of your estate, yours or her portion becomes an irrevocable trust, the way it is NOW.

Example problem to give you something to think about. You vapor lock tomorrow, and your entire estate is split evenly between daughter A and son B. Your wife lives another 20 years. During her 20 years son B calls her a bitch, demand your money NOW, etc. She is forced to split 50% of your estate as you originally set it up unless she plays some financial games, and son B can come back and sue her over it.

Think it through before you go to attorney.

 

[pneuby]

I was/am quite satisfied with the experience of RJP Planning and Estates on Scottsdale and Thomas.
I believe they are still current advertisers on KFYI, which is where I originally heard about them.
IIRC, the initial consultation was around 90mins, and is free.

 

[xerts1191]

Scott Schoeller (480) 266-4025

 

[Buckshot Bill]

Thanks to you that replied. Gives us a lot to think about.
Buckshot Bill

 

[Joelafives]

I used the software program https://smile.amazon.com/Quicken-Willmaker-Trust-2023-Software/dp/1413330150/ref=sr_1_4?crid=11EN7ZRZPO7M8&keywords=nolo+willmaker+and+trust+2023+software&qid=1670707175&sprefix=trust+software%2Caps%2C164&sr=8-4&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.006c50ae-5d4c-4777-9bc0-4513d670b6bc

 

[Joe_Blacke]

What makes you think you need a trust over a will?

Certain assets automatically bypass probate: investment accounts, retirement accounts, bank accounts, life insurance etc. Basically any type of account that can have a beneficiary designated (or payable upon death like a bank account).

Trusts are good if you have things like lots of real estate or real property and you want to bypass probate.

 

[vvalter_vvhite]

hen we lived in UK, I remember buying a last will and testament kit from amazon, it comes with a software I installed on my computer and used it to guide me with the process, then I printed everything using the included printing papers. That print can be kept by a lawyer, or anyone you trust (and they should not lose it).

I don't know if you can do the same here.

 

[jrleen]

I have had the unpleasant experience of dealing with my Mom's, step father and ex-partner's ending affairs. Overseeing last years caregiver/care details, estate/will and final assignments or debts. No matter how small it appears to be it can be a real shat show and take years. Getting thrown into probate is extremely easy, even with a simple will. Having a trust + complete living will with all the legal component's agreed will help your spouse, kids, family members deal with the unpleasant task at hand. You see another side of people that you thought you knew well. Plus all the institutions get very distant and will flat ignore your intension to help close out accounts.

We found a group that created a very simple list for us to use to help them in making an overall estate plan. Including revocable living trust, pour-over-will, durable power of attorney, living will, funded assets listing , home/auto listing and funding instructions. The final document's were reviewed with us and checked by the attorney and his assistant. Includes contact number for your family/executer and instructions for spouse division of assets. Instructions were made easy to understand and included a how to set of steps to amend or revise. Mid last year it was under $1600.

In my step fathers case it would have saved close to 18K in court/legal fees and hundreds of hours for me on an estate worth less than 80K. My Mom would have had far better use of these funds while she was alive. It was painful to see what my ex-business partners wife had to go through.

Safeguard Estate and Financial. They will also have a several financial products to pitch during the creation of your documents. We chose to leave our investments as they were. Took us 3 appointments over a two week window.

 

[Half Cocked]

Yes. You want to keep your affairs out of the hands of the crooked courts and their lawyer allies. The main goal of the legal system to keep money flowing to the lawyers.

I'm not a fan of AOC, but she was screwed by the crooked courts. From Wikipedia:

Her father died of lung cancer in 2008 during her second year,[23][24] and Ocasio-Cortez became involved in a lengthy probate battle to settle his estate. She has said that the experience helped her learn "first-hand how attorneys appointed by the court to administer an estate can enrich themselves at the expense of the families struggling to make sense of the bureaucracy".[25]

Note that nothing is ironclad. Even a living trust can be overturned by the courts if challenged.

 

[Manitu]

Jaburg Wilke 30+ lawyers on staff mostly business law and trusts are a walk in the park.