- GuardianshipNo one would be able to make decisions for you in the case of your incapacitation without being appointed as a guardian by the probate courts. Guardianships are a lengthy and expensive process.
- Business DisputesWith years of experience in estate planning and business law, I have successfully drafted wills, administered probate estates, and created plans for my clients’ futures. Aside from my practice, I enjoy learning about history, have a passion for collecting political items, and spending time with my wife.
- Real Estate TransactionsWHETHER YOU NEED HELP WITH AN ESTATE PLAN, THE PROBATE PROCESS, OR A REAL ESTATE TRANSACTION, I AM HERE TO ADVOCATE FOR YOUR NEEDS
- Estate PlanningI can help with all your special needs planning. Special needs estate planning focuses on providing for the special needs of our loved ones with disabilities when we are no longer there to organize and advocate on their behalf. Parents of children with special needs must make very careful estate planning choices to coordinate all of the legal, financial, and special care needs of their children – both now and also in the future.
- WillsThe most well-known document in an estate plan is the Last Will and Testament. A Will is important because it allows you to dictate how you want your estate to be distributed and administered upon your passing. According to a survey by Caring.com, 2 out of 3 Americans do not have a will in place. Dying without a will, called intestate, causes a multitude of issues. When you die intestate, the Probate Court decides how your estate will be administered by following the laws of inheritance. This includes distributing your assets, and determining who will administer your estate. A will allows you to avoid this by naming a personal representative, and listing how you want your estate administered. One common misconception, however, is that a will allows you to avoid probate altogether. This is not true, your estate still needs to go through the probate process. But a will helps streamline, and simplify the probate process. At Stilley Law Office, we offer full will drafting and execution services. We will work with you to craft your will how you want.
- TrustsTrusts can be very beneficial, but it depends on every individual’s needs to determine whether they need a trust or not. A trust is an agreement between one party with another party to have assets held by a third party. Whether your situation could benefit from a trust depends on several factors. These factors include, but aren’t limited to, number of beneficiaries, whether you have beneficiaries who are minors, and length of asset distribution. Trusts are beneficial because they allow a great deal of flexibility. First and foremost, assets in a trust avoid probate. Also, a revocable living trust allows for the terms of the trust to be changed at any time. Irrevocable trusts can allow large estates to avoid some estate taxes. A trust also allows you to decide not only who will get certain assets, but when they will get those assets. You can also dictate how certain assets are used. Another benefit of a trust is unlike a will, which is a public record, trusts can be kept private. At Stilley Law we also specialize in Trust Administration. Our individual and personalized approach allows us to maximize your benefits from a trust if your situation is a good fit.
- Power of AttorneyA Power of Attorney names someone to make decisions, both healthcare and financial, on your behalf in the case of your incapacitation or illness. It is important that everyone has Powers of Attorney in place.
- Probate
- Tax LawHistorically speaking, the federal estate tax is levied on the transfer of a person's money/assets after death. In actuality, it is neither a death tax nor an inheritance tax, but more commonly known as a transfer tax. Legal planning to avoid or minimize federal estate taxes is both an important and prudent aspect of comprehensive estate planning. I can help with any questions relating to estate tax planning with their extensive knowledge in this field.