Estate Planning & Guardianships

Estate planning is the process whereby individuals and families develop a plan to ensure that the assets they have worked so hard to accumulate during their lifetime are protected at their death and are distributed as they choose. Estate planning also allows parents of minor children to designate a guardian to care for their children if they should pass away. In addition, a thorough estate plan includes the execution of powers of attorney that allow you to appoint individuals to make decisions regarding your care and finances in the event you become incapacitate such that you are not able to make decisions for yourself. During this process, Gail B. Goodman and Erin Kinley will work with you to make sure that you have a thorough understanding of your estate planning documents and that these documents reflect your wishes.

Probate is the process by which an individual ‘s estate is administered following his or her death. We can assist the personal representative (also known as an executor) with his or her duties during the probate process.

A guardianship is necessary when someone is not able to make decisions regarding health care or personal care due to his or her minority status or incapacity. Similarly, a conservatorship is necessary when someone is unable to manage his or her financial and business affairs. We can assist you with the process of filing a petition for guardianship and/or conservatorship as well as the court process.

Gail B. Goodman or Erin Kinley would be happy to meet with you for a free consultation to discuss your individual needs as well as what you can expect from the process.

We provide competent legal counsel for:

• • Wills 
  • Medical and Financial Powers of Attorney
  • Probate (Estate Administration)
  • Guardianships
  • Conservatorships