Tulsa Wills and Trusts Lawyer
Meeting with an attorney to create an estate plan is a vital step in safeguarding your finances, protecting your family, and preserving your legacy. Many families are unfamiliar with the distinctions between wills and trusts, revocable and irrevocable agreements, pay-on-death arrangements, and powers of attorney.
At Helton Law Firm, our Tulsa estate planning attorneys believe that clients have the right to be educated on all their estate planning options before they are asked to make important life decisions. That’s why we offer a free initial informational meeting to review your choices, learn about your goals, and get to know your family. With this insight, we can design a customized plan tailored to the issues that matter most to you.
Contact an experienced wills and trusts attorney in Tulsa to schedule a free consultation today.
Effective Estate Planning Solutions Provide You With Peace Of Mind
Unfortunately, many people choose to ignore the importance of drafting and implementing a valid will or trust. Although it may be difficult or uncomfortable to engage in death planning, taking action today can prove invaluable to protecting your family should something happen to you.
If you die or become incapacitated without a valid last will and testament or a revocable trust in Oklahoma, the state will determine the distribution of your estate. Going through the probate process can be an expensive, time-consuming endeavor that places a heavy burden on your family. In addition to a will, various types of trusts may benefit you and your family.
Issues a Tulsa wills and trusts attorney can help you consider as you draft a will or revocable living trust include:
- Naming an executor or trustee to your estate, preferably a family member or loved one in good health
- Deciding how to distribute your estate, such as itemizing your property and assets
- Specifying who will receive your property, including family, friends, or charities, as well as individuals you want to disinherit
- Minimizing tax liability
- Avoiding complicated, expensive, and lengthy probate proceedings
- Protecting against family disputes
- Planning for the succession or management of a closely held family business
- Addressing issues that arise with blended families
- Protecting assets for children with prenuptial and antenuptial agreements
- Nominating guardians for minor children or those in your care with special needs
- Providing for children with creditor issues
When you sit down with a wills and trusts lawyer, we’ll be happy to explain all your options for establishing revocable living trusts, irrevocable life insurance trusts, and special needs trusts. We can also discuss joint ownership, payable-on-death designations, power of attorney, and other advance directives that may apply to you.
Types Of Wills And Trusts Our Tulsa Attorneys Handle
The first main initiative in achieving a strategic plan for your future begins with understanding the different types of wills and trusts available. This is because each serves a specific purpose, and selecting the right option can have a significant impact on your estate and family. As such, planning ahead with the right type of will or trust can help ensure that your wishes are followed and that your family is protected.
Some of the most commonly used will options are:
- Standard will: Specifies how your property and assets will be distributed after your passing and names an executor to help ensure your wishes are followed.
- Living will (a.k.a., advance directive): It expresses your medical care preferences in case you become unable to communicate and helps ensure that your health care decisions align with your values and wishes.
- Pour-over will: A pour-over will directs assets not already placed in a trust to “pour over” into the trust upon your death by helping ensure that any overlooked assets are protected within your estate plan.
Before you decide on your preferred option, our wills and trusts attorneys in Tulsa can assist you in selecting and drafting the will that best suits your needs.
Common types of trusts include:
- Revocable trust: Maintains your control of assets during life while providing for a smooth transfer after death, and may help avoid probate.
- Irrevocable trust: An option that permanently transfers assets out of your estate, potentially offering tax advantages and asset protection.
- Special needs trust: Preserves government benefit eligibility while providing additional care funds for loved ones with disabilities.
A legal consultation with a Tulsa wills and trusts lawyer from Helton Law Firm will be the perfect time to help you understand and establish the right trust for your unique family situation, protecting your legacy and helping ensure your intentions are honored.
A Wills and Trusts Lawyer in Tulsa Can Help Protect Your Family Through Proactive Estate Planning
Even if you’ve taken some time to think about your final wishes or written them down, it is still important to work with an experienced wills and trusts lawyer in Tulsa to ensure that you spare your loved ones unnecessary heartache and hardship.
At Helton Law Firm, we will listen as you describe your situation and needs, offer clear advice, and ultimately provide you with the peace of mind that comes with knowing that you, your family, and your estate are protected.
Contact a dedicated Tulsa wills and trusts attorney to schedule a free informational meeting by calling (918) 928-7104 or completing our online contact form.
