Creating an Effective Estate Plan

The will and the trust documents are the cornerstones of an effective estate plan. It is never too early to start thinking about who you want to inherit your wealth and possessions and how you want this transfer to occur.

As an Indianapolis will attorney, I have been helping clients draft wills and trusts for more than 30 years. At Anderson and Associates, P.C., you will receive personalized attention, valuable counsel, thorough planning and meticulous drafting of your will and trust documents.

Wills

The will is a document that controls the passing on of your wealth and assets. It allows you to name the people to whom you wish to pass on assets. In the will, you name an executor and describe how you want your assets to be divided among your loved ones.

Trusts

A trust is a wealth transfer instrument that can work in tandem with the will. Trusts provide many benefits to donors and beneficiaries, depending on the circumstances, including:

• Control: Some trusts give the donor more power to control how and when assets are distributed and limit the uses of the assets by the beneficiary.
• Tax benefits: When created properly, trust instruments can greatly reduce gift taxes, estate taxes and inheritance taxes.
• Avoiding probate: Trusts can help avoid probate and estate litigation.

I can help you establish a will and any trust documents necessary to create an estate plan that will communicate your testamentary wishes clearly and effectively. If you are part of a will contest, trust dispute or inheritance dispute that requires estate litigation, I can help with that as well. I have more than 20 years of experience focusing on litigation, and I emphasize litigation in my estate practice.