Trusted Local Estate Planning Support From A Widely Recognized Team
Last updated on October 11, 2024
Don’t delay in securing your future and protecting your loved ones. Get a strong estate plan in place that reflects your wishes. We at CJB Law can help. Our proven team, based in Fergus Falls, assists individuals and families in Minnesota and North Dakota with their unique estate planning needs.
Tailored Estate Planning Solutions
With every client here at CJB Law, we always take the time to understand your unique situation and challenges to lay out estate planning that works in your best interest. We’ll listen to your needs and goals and establish strategies to help you meet them. We’re here to advocate for your success. Our estate planning background includes: Estate Planning Documentation | Last Will and Testament | Revocable Living Trusts and Irrevocable Trusts | Codicil | Living Will | Power of Attorney
What Is Estate Planning?
Estate planning refers to the process of planning for the future. An estate plan can help with:
- Deciding who receives a share of your assets
- When and how beneficiaries receive an inheritance
- Who manages the estate (trustee, personal representative, etc.)
- Guardianship for children
- Sale or orderly continuance of a family business
Estate planning is not only a smart choice but also shows your family that you care for their future. Without proper estate planning, you’re leaving assets up in the air for State laws to manage. Court-appointed administrators may not share your idea of where assets should land, leading to possible financial hardship and struggles for family members. Additionally, the lack of estate planning can end in family quarrels regarding assets, which can significantly impact the relationships of those you love.
Our Comprehensive Estate Planning Services
Last Will And Testament
A last will and testament is used to instruct how you want any property to be distributed upon your death. This crucial documentation saves your beneficiaries from fighting over or dealing with the distribution of property after you’re gone. Furthermore, a living will and testament also indicate who will assume guardianship of any minor children in the case that there is no surviving parent. It’s important to note that last wills are subject to the probate process. These can be time-consuming and expensive processes. We can handle pour-over wills and other strategies that can help your family avoid probate with estate transfers and other methods. We’ll explain the law and how to help your family with a last will and testament that protects your beneficiaries.
Trusts
When you need to specify how you want your assets to be handled and divided upon your death, a living trust is a necessity. While on the surface, it may look similar to a will, there are some noticeable differences that can affect your beneficiary’s future. With a living trust, your interest in the property and assets is transferred to the trust during your lifetime. Upon your death, they will pass to your beneficiaries without ever having to go through probate. Not only will this save your loved ones a ton of expenses, but also the time and hassle that are associated with the probate process. We’ll help you create a living trust that ensures a simplified and more affordable future for your loved ones.
Living Will
Also known as an advance health care directive, a living will is a type of legal documentation that specifies what health care actions and decisions you wish for yourself. If, for whatever reason, you are incapacitated and are unable to make decisions, a living will appoints another person to make the decisions for you. A living will can also outline any life-prolonging treatments you want or do not want – in a situation where you are unfit to make your own medical decisions. We can assist with creating an advanced health care directive that fits your wishes and appoints someone you trust in order to make medical decisions in an unfortunate case where you are unable to do so.
Codicil
If you’re in need of an addendum for an existing will, a codicil is what you’re looking for. The probate process is drastically affected by births, deaths, marriages, and even family law situations like divorce – and your personal wishes may change as well. We can help you go over your existing will and review any changes that may require a codicil. We’ll help you create a will that has your best interests in mind and reflects your wishes thoroughly.
Power Of Attorney
Power of attorney documentation can be a complex endeavor. It contains essential information and directives that allow someone to act with authority on your behalf, typically when it comes to financial matters. A durable power of attorney, unless stated otherwise, remains intact even if you become incapacitated. Within the power of attorney documentation, you can indicate financial arrangements, agreements, and instructions in the case of permanent unconsciousness or terminal illness. We’ll advocate for you and your best wishes so that you have the right people by your side in case you are unable to act or decide for yourself – along with setting up a financial future for loved ones.
Get Knowledgeable Guidance Personalized To Your Needs
Protect your goals, assets, family and legacy with a well-crafted estate plan. Our experienced team is here to guide you to the right planning solutions for your goals. For a free consultation with one of our skilled estate planning lawyers, call 218-303-5497 or reach out via our contact form.