With mortality rates stuck at 100%, you should have a plan in place that provides loved ones with firm guidance and direction in the event that that you die or become unable to make decisions for yourself. Your plan should address the guardianship of children, the disposition of assets, powers of attorney, and your wishes regarding end-of-life medical care. We can prepare the instruments necessary to establish the right plan for you, which include a Last Will and Testament, trusts (depending on our analysis of potential tax consequences), powers of attorney, and a living will. In addition, we are happy to assist clients with the probate process, which is the court-supervised procedure of proving that a will is valid, paying off all claims against an estate and distributing the remaining assets to the heirs named in the will. Most estates will have to go through the probate process in order to complete the transfer of property to the beneficiaries named in the will.