Estate Planning Law

Estate Planning Services

For many, the thought of planning for the inevitable brings about feelings of stress and anxiety. We know that there are many confusing issues surrounding the estate planning process. We will guide you through the complex process of will and/or trust preparation, educating you about all of your options.

We can prepare simple to comprehensive wills and trusts, which may include a durable power of attorney, an appointment of a guardian, and directions concerning the distribution of your estate property.

We focus on providing individualized estate planning documents that are designed to meet your goals and objectives at reasonable prices. Since each individual’s circumstance is different, we customize a plan that works for you and your family. We learn about you, your family, your estate and, most importantly, your goals. We then design an estate plan based around your goals in a timely, cost-efficient manner. We use the team approach that involves your other advisers, such as accountants, financial planners and insurance advisors, in the planning process to ensure a plan appropriate for you and your family.

As Estate Planning is specific to your situation and needs, we have assembled a brief Q&A section regarding the basics related to this process:

• How Will My Estate be Distributed if I Die Without a Will?
• Last Will & Testament Georgia
• What is a Will
• What can a Will do
• What a Will can’t do
• Who should make a Will
• When should a Lawyer’s services be utilized
• What happens if you die without a Will
• Can you make changes your Will
• Can you revoke your own Will
• What are the requirements to make a valid Will
• What the specific requirements to make a valid Will in Georgia
• Power of Attorney
• What is a Power of Attorney
• What does a POA do
• Should I execute a POA
• Can I revoke a POA
• What types of things can a POA cover
• What are the differences between a general, limited and durable POA
• Georgia Advance Directive for Health Care
• What is an Advance Directive
• What is the purpose of an Advance Directive
• What’s involved with an Advance Directive
• Who can I name as my Health Care Agent
• Should I execute an Advance Directive
• Can I revoke my Advance Directive
• Should I distribute copies of my Advance Directive to my physician, insurance plan, and immediate family members
• Testamentary and Living Trusts
• What is a Trust
• What can a Trust do
• What are the Duties of a Trustee
• What property can be transferred to a Trust
• What are the different types of Trusts
• When should a Lawyer’s services be utilized
• What is a Revocable Living Trust
• What is a Revocable Living Trust
• What can a Revocable Living Trust do
• What are the duties of a Trustee
• What property can be transferred to a Revocable Living Trust
• Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust (ILIT)
• What is an Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust
• What can an Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust do
• What are the duties of a Trustee
• What property can be transferred to an Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust
• Qualified Domestic Trust (QDOT)
• What is a Qualified Domestic Trust
• What can a Qualified Domestic Trust do
• What are the duties of a Trustee
• What property can be transferred to a Qualified Domestic Trust
• Special Needs Trust
• What is a Special Needs Trust
• What can a Special Needs Trust do
• What are the duties of a Trustee
• What property can be transferred to a Special Needs Trust
• The Lawyer’s Role
• What is the Lawyer’s Role
• Estate, Gift and GST Taxes
• Estate Gift and GST Taxes

For over forty years, our clients have relied on Thomas E. Raines, PC to help them make prudent business, financial, and personal decisions in connection with Estate Planning. If you need assistance in the area of Estate Planning, please contact our Atlanta Estate Planning Lawyer at Thomas E. Raines, PC immediately at 770-263-0093 or via email through the contact portion of this website by email.