Leesburg Estate Planning Attorney
Wills, Trusts & Estates
Estate planning is a necessary element of planning for your life and the future of your loved ones, no matter your age. Many people delay estate planning because of the intricate legal process, but the Leesburg estate planning attorneys at Simms Showers, LLP are here to help guide you! We will help you ensure that your needs and the needs of your loved ones are met in case something happens to you.
Wills
If you die without a will, your estate is distributed under state “intestate succession laws.” While intestate succession laws generally pass property to close family members, a will can be more nuanced to better reflect your wishes and reduce family conflict. In addition to distributing property, a will also names an executor for your estate, guardian(s) for your children, and creates trusts for children and other young beneficiaries if needed. When drafting a will, you must adhere to a number of legal requirements. Otherwise, there may be confusion and difficulty when executing the will. Hiring an experienced estate planning attorney to help you through the process can eliminate that issue.
Power of Attorney
An aspect of estate planning that is often overlooked is creating a power of attorney. A power of attorney is a document that gives authority to someone you trust to make decisions, usually financial or health care related decisions, on your behalf while you are living. Whereas a will does not come into effect until your passing, a power of attorney is used while you are alive but unable to make decisions for yourself. You can have one document granting decision-making authority over all matters to a person, or you can have different documents granting specific authority to a person or persons.
Advance Medical Directive
An advance medical directive is a document that expresses what medical treatments you wish or do not wish to receive, particularly when suffering from a terminal condition. An advance medical directive is often called a “living will,” and it is an important element of your estate plan. It provides guidance to your loved ones and decision makers, and helps them know what decision you would want them to make in very difficult and heart-wrenching situations.
