The seasoned central Illinois estate planning attorneys at Featherstun, Gaumer, Postlewait, Stocks, Flynn & Hubbard have years of experience crafting successful estate plans for individuals, farm families and business owners.
We know how important estate planning is for every family. Without a will and any necessary trusts, the government — not you — will decide who gets your assets after death. Estate planning is even more critical for farm families and family businesses. Without proper advice from experienced estate planning attorneys, estate taxes (also known as inheritance taxes or death taxes) can eat into your family's assets.
Decatur Will And Trust Attorneys
Our firm can help you create a will that designates what you want to happen to your property. We will also advise you about the appropriate trust instruments for your individual needs. A trust can safeguard funds, help your beneficiaries avoid probate taxes and benefit loved ones and worthy institutions. Available trusts include:
- Special-needs trusts
- Revocable and irrevocable trusts
- Charitable remainder trusts
- Life insurance trusts
- Dynasty trusts
- Generation-skipping trusts
- Grantor retained income trusts (GRIT)
Probate And Trust Litigation: Contesting A Will Or Challenging A Trust
Will contests most often arise when a person rewrites a will shortly before passing away. In such a case, questions often arise about whether the person was mentally capable of making inheritance decisions. Questions may also arise about whether a beneficiary exerted undue influence on the person writing the will.
Trust litigation often arises if a trustee is being challenged for failing to follow the purpose of the trust (also called breach of fiduciary duty) or if the actual purpose of the trust is being challenged as improper. Our law firm has handled countless will and trust disputes and has the proven trial skills to vigorously defend your interests.
Business And Farm Succession Planning
Any small or medium-sized business or farm must undertake succession planning to ensure that the business continues to operate smoothly after an owner passes away. Our law firm can provide comprehensive legal advice on all relevant business succession and farm succession issues.
Defending Your Health Care Choices And Financial Decisions
Estate planning is not just about making a plan for the distribution of your assets after death. With a strategically designed estate plan, you can also protect your own health in your elder years.
Tools such as advance health care directives, living wills and powers of attorney help you keep control of your health care decisions and your financial affairs until your final days. Without such legal tools in place, you and your finances could be placed under the care of a family member or even the government if you become physically or mentally incapacitated.
Contact Our Estate Planning And Litigation Attorneys
To schedule a prompt and confidential appointment with our knowledgeable estate planning lawyers, call our Decatur office locally at 217-615-4792 or toll free at 800-768-5446, or contact us online.
