Estate Planning for Lawrenceville Residents
Securing your family’s future starts today. Contact us for affordable, effective estate planning solutions.
Our Estate Planning Attorneys Help You Create a Lasting Legacy
Emert & Yeom is the leading estate planning law firm serving Lawrenceville, GA and surrounding areas. Planning for the future and protecting your legacy are some of life’s most important endeavors. That’s why having a comprehensive estate plan in place is crucial – but it can also seem challenging. The attorneys at Emert & Yeom understand this, which is why we provide caring, experienced guidance to ensure your estate plan achieves your goals.
With years of legal experience, our attorneys have the expertise to craft customized plans that protect your hard-earned assets and secure your family’s financial future. We know estate planning can be an emotional process, which is why we get to know you on a personal level and treat you like family. Emert & Yeom stands by its core values of integrity, excellence, and compassion. This means you can trust us to have your best interests in mind.
Below we’ll outline exactly what estate planning entails, including:
- Wills
- Trusts
- Powers of attorney
- Healthcare directives
- Beneficiary forms
- Estate tax planning
We’ll also explain the benefits of estate planning and what happens without these important documents in place. By the end, you’ll understand why estate planning is so critical and how Emert & Yeom can help create a plan that’s tailored specifically for you. Call us and let us help you put your financial affairs in order.
What is Estate Planning?
Estate planning refers to the process of managing and distributing your assets during your lifetime and after your death. A comprehensive estate plan accounts for your wishes, goals, and family circumstances. It protects your beneficiaries and provides peace of mind knowing everything is taken care of.
Bottom line – estate planning ensures your assets, healthcare, and livelihood are protected if life throws curveballs your way.
The Importance of Having a Will in Lawrenceville, GA
Having a legally valid will is the cornerstone of any estate plan. Wills are powerful documents that direct how your possessions and assets are distributed upon your passing. Dying without a will means losing control – your estate will then enter probate and be divided according to Georgia’s predetermined intestate laws.
Here are key reasons every adult should have a will made by a Lawrenceville estate planning attorney:
- Distribute possessions as you wish
- Select guardians for minor children
- Establish trusts for loved ones
- Support charitable causes
- Minimize family disputes
- Avoid issues at probate court
Drafting a will may seem straightforward, but estate laws can be complex. Emert & Yeom has extensive experience creating customized wills based on your specific family, assets, and intentions. We ensure your will is ironclad and minimizes the risk of legal challenges.
Using Trusts in Your Lawrenceville, GA Estate Plan
While a will primarily deals with the distribution of assets upon death, trusts are estate planning tools that take effect while you’re still alive. Trusts provide a number of protections that wills alone cannot.
There are many types of trusts that can be created, but common purposes include:
- Avoiding probate
- Financial management if incapacitated
- Protection of inheritances
- Privacy
- Tax minimization
Emert & Yeom attorneys leverage decades of combined experience to create customized trusts based on your financial situation, goals, and needs. From living trusts to charitable trusts and more, we’ll ensure the trust seamlessly aligns with your overall estate plan.
Powers of Attorney in Lawrenceville, GA
Establishing a durable power of attorney is another key estate planning document that allows you to legally appoint someone to manage affairs on your behalf if you become incapacitated. This avoids the need for court intervention which can be time-consuming and expensive.
There are two main types of powers of attorney:
Financial Power of Attorney
Authorizes your chosen agent to make legal/financial decisions if you’re unable to do so. This includes managing bank accounts, paying bills, filing taxes, and more.
Medical Power of Attorney
Grants your selected agent authority to access medical records and make healthcare decisions if you’re incapacitated.
Powers of attorney are critical estate planning documents, especially for aging adults. They provide security knowing your finances and healthcare are still cared for if you become ill, disabled, or mentally incapacitated down the road.
The attorneys at Emert & Yeom help craft comprehensive and compliant powers of attorney tailored to your unique needs. All bases are covered so your affairs remain properly managed no matter what.
Healthcare Directives
Healthcare directives are estate planning documents that outline your wishes for end-of-life medical treatment. This provides clear guidance for your family and doctors in the event you cannot make decisions yourself.
The two main healthcare directives are:
Living Will
This legal document states your preferences concerning medical interventions like resuscitation, breathing machines, feeding tubes, and more.
HIPAA Authorization
Grants your chosen agent access to your medical records and history. Crucial if they need to make healthcare decisions on your behalf.
Having clearly defined directives avoids difficult decisions being made by distraught family members. Your treatment preferences are established ahead of time legally.
Emert & Yeom attorneys will discuss your healthcare goals in depth. We’ll ensure your tailored directives are compliant with Georgia law and your healthcare wishes are fully conveyed.
Designating Beneficiaries
Beneficiary forms dictate who inherits your assets for accounts like life insurance policies, retirement plans, and investment accounts upon your passing.
It’s imperative to name beneficiaries and keep them updated. The designated beneficiaries on these accounts override any instructions in your will. Assets go directly to the named beneficiaries, bypassing probate.
Failing to name beneficiaries can result in assets being distributed based on predetermined company policies or state intestacy laws. This could prevent people like your spouse from inheriting those accounts.
When you engage Emert & Yeom for estate planning, we’ll review your accounts and ensure beneficiary designations align with your overall estate intentions. Keeping forms updated prevents assets from going to the wrong heirs.
Estate Tax Planning
For high-net-worth individuals, minimizing estate taxes is often a top estate planning priority. All assets over $12.06 million in 2022 are subject to federal estate taxes up to 40%. There are also Georgia estate taxes to consider depending on the size of your estate. Strategies Emert & Yeom estate planning attorneys may utilize to reduce estate taxes include:
- Creating trusts to shelter assets from taxation
- Making annual tax-exempt gifts up to IRS limits
- Setting up entities like family limited partnerships
- Making charitable donations that qualify for deductions
- Purchasing life insurance to provide liquidity for taxes
- Ensuring proper titling of accounts and properties
The attorneys at Emert & Yeom have extensive experience navigating both federal and Georgia estate tax codes. Our customized plans maximize the assets passed on to your heirs.
What Happens Without Proper Estate Planning?
If you pass away in Georgia without key estate planning documents, your estate would be subject to the state’s intestate succession laws. Outcomes could include:
- Probate delays
- Unwanted asset distribution
- Loss of control
- Family disputes
- Maximum estate taxes
Don’t leave things to chance and assume your assets will flow smoothly without planning. Contact the trusted attorneys at Emert & Yeom to ensure your estate is protected.
Why Choose Emert & Yeom for Estate Planning in Lawrenceville?
When selecting an estate planning attorney, you need a legal team you can trust fully. Emert & Yeom is a leading Lawrenceville firm with a stellar reputation earned through dedicated client service over decades. Here are key reasons families turn to Emert & Yeom for estate planning:
Experienced Local Attorneys
Our attorneys have years of experience specifically helping Lawrenceville area families create customized estate plans. We stay up to date with the latest laws and regulations so your plan follows all guidelines.
Personalized Approach
We take the time to understand your unique circumstances and goals. Our attorneys get to know you personally and create tailored plans – we never take a one-size-fits-all approach.
Accessible Team
Our attorneys and staff are here to answer your questions and concerns before, during, and after the planning process. We’re always transparent and provide guidance in an understandable way.
Cost-Effective Solutions
Our rates are fair and reasonable compared to other firms. We’re upfront about pricing and offer payment plans that work for your budget.
Contact Emert & Yeom today to start the estate planning process. Our experienced team looks forward to helping protect your family’s future.
Frequently Asked Questions
What documents should be included in an estate plan?
A comprehensive estate plan should include several legal documents such as a will, trusts, financial power of attorney, healthcare power of attorney, living will, and HIPAA authorization. Beneficiary designations on accounts should also align with the estate plan.
When is the best time to start estate planning?
It’s never too early to create an estate plan. Young adults with financial assets or minor children should have basic plans. More complex planning should occur closer to retirement when net worth increases. However, estate plans should be revisited often as life circumstances change.
Can estate planning help reduce taxes for my heirs?
Yes, a primary benefit of estate planning is implementing strategies to minimize state and federal estate taxes. Strategies like A/B trusts, charitable trusts, gifting assets, and more can significantly reduce tax burdens on your heirs.
Do I need to use an estate planning attorney or can I do it myself?
It’s strongly advised to work with a trusted estate planning attorney like Emert & Yeom, especially for complex plans. DIY documents often fail to account for state laws and techniques to minimize estate taxes. Professional legal guidance ensures plans are fully compliant and customized.
How often should I update my estate planning documents?
It’s recommended to review and update estate planning documents at least every 3-5 years. Major life events like births, deaths, marriages, divorces, retirement, moving to a new state, or changes in financial status all warrant immediate updates. An estate planning attorney can help determine when a review is needed.
Our Service Area
While we are located in Duluth Georgia, we provide estate planning, real estate closings, and business law to clients from all around the metro Atlanta area including Buford, Suwanee, Lawrenceville, Duluth, Johns Creek, Alpharetta, and more. Contact us today when you need an experienced attorney to help you with any of these matters.
Our Office Location
Contact Information
6340 Sugarloaf Pkwy #200
6340 Sugarloaf Pkwy, Duluth, GA 30097
Phone: 678-288-2010 Fax: 770-932-5195
Office Hours: Monday - Friday - 9AM - 5PM