Estate Planning
Attorney Elizabeth Gray provides estate planning services to clients of all ages and circumstances. Her goal is to draft an estate plan that provides for the management of your affairs during your lifetime, especially in the event of incapacity, and, at your death ensures your assets will go to the people you want, how you want, when you want.
Her typical estate plan will include:
- Advance Medical Directive: An advance medical directive, which incorporates both a living will (a written declaration regarding your preference for the use of life-prolonging medical care if you are terminally ill) and a medical power of attorney (by which you appoint someone to make your health care decisions if you are incapacitated).
- Durable General Power of Attorney: A power of attorney, which allows the appointed agent to act in your stead; for example, if you are incapacitated, your agent will be able to manage your financial affairs.
- Last Will and Testament: A Last Will and Testament, which directs who will receive your property at your death, names the person you wish to administer and distribute your estate according to your instructions, and, if applicable appoints the person(s) you wish to serve as guardians of your minor children.
- Trust: A trust, which is a legal arrangement through which a “trustee” acts as fiduciary and holds legal title to property for the benefit of a “beneficiary” according to certain instructions which are set out in the trust instrument. Our office specializes in revocable trusts (where the grantor maintains complete control over the trust and may amend, revoke or terminate the trust during his lifetime) and special needs trusts (which enable the grantor to provide for the continuing care of a disabled spouse, child, relative or friend without disqualifying that person from public benefits).