Marietta Trust and Estates Lawyer

Trust and estates are areas of law that allow you to have a final say in how your home, savings, and property will be distributed after your death. A skilled trust and estates lawyer can also assist anyone dealing with legal proceedings after a loved one passes away. Our attorneys can also help you plan for your family’s future and ensure that your end-of-life wishes will become reality.

To achieve this, the experienced lawyers at our firm use various strategies and legal tools, such as Powers of Attorney, Wills, and Trusts. If you want to control what happens to your belongings after you pass away, speak with a Marietta trust and estates lawyers at Nelson Elder Care Law. We can help you create a plan that protects your family and prepares for anything life throws your way.

Important Terms in Trust and Estates Law

Our knowledgeable attorneys can walk you through your choices and explain the following important concepts in trust and estates planning.

Wills

A Will allows you to dictate how your property is transferred to your heirs after you pass away. In the state of Georgia, anyone over the age of 14 can create a valid Will if they sign the document in the presence of two witnesses, who also sign. Your Will must also be in writing, as the state of Georgia does not recognize audio recordings or videos as valid.

Probate

Probate is the legal process that validates a Will through the courts. It allows your property and savings to be distributed to your heirs. In your Will, you should name a person to oversee this distribution. This person, known as the executor or personal representative, will be responsible for gathering your property, paying off your taxes and debts, and distributing the remaining money to your heirs.

If you were named as an executor, our trust and estates lawyers can help you fulfill your duties and successfully navigate the probate process. We have experience with every stage of the proceedings, from filing the Will to creating the final report for the probate court.

Trusts

A Trust is a legal arrangement which allows you to transfer certain savings or property to a trustee, essentially to hold onto. When you die or at a certain noted date in the future, the trustee will pass on these belongings to heirs you have named. Revocable Trusts avoid Probate and allow you to be your own trustee while you are alive, but your assets are not protected from Medicaid or lawsuits. While Irrevocable Trusts do protect your property from Medicaid, you are not able to be the trustee and must appoint someone.

A knowledgeable attorney at our firm can advise you on which type of Trust best suits your needs.

Medical Care Planning Options

Beyond creating documents like Wills and Trusts, which protect your savings and belongings after you pass away, an experienced trust and estates lawyer can also help you establish a plan in the event that you become incapacitated. A sudden illness or injury can affect anyone at any time, so it is never too early to think about what you would like to happen when life throws you a curveball.

Advanced Health Care Directives

Advanced Health Care Directives are a way of outlining your medical preferences in case you are unable to communicate your desires. In this document, you can state what type of treatment you want to receive and when to cease medical interventions.

Durable Powers of Attorney

A Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA) lets you designate another person to make decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated. Unlike many other trust and estates tools, which only take effect after you pass away, a DPOA is applicable while you are still alive.

Plan Your Future with a Marietta Trust and Estates Attorney

It is scary to consider the future once you have passed away, but you can gain peace of mind by discussing your worries and wishes with a skilled attorney. At Nelson Elder Care Law, our Marietta trust and estates lawyers are experienced in helping people achieve their goals and protect their family’s financial futures. If you are considering end-of-life plans, contact our firm today to go over your legal options.

Hear From Our Clients

“On the threshold of retirement, we finally decided to quit thinking we could self-prepare the requisite documents. We had previously had only a very simple will. We needed the necessary legal (including updated will) & health care docs but didn’t want to deal with the time & complication of legalese. Cindy made the process relatively painless. She took the time to explain and answer questions without trying to upsell services. We were done in 2 meetings plus the reading of emailed drafts. In addition to preparing the documents, Nelson Eldercare will be there when our adult children need advice on executing the plans we’ve put in place.So glad it’s behind us and would recommend Cindy and her helpful staff.”

- Bonnie

Cindy and her company treat their clients like family. Nelson’s offers clear, direct, and honest guidance in planning for your families security and future. No one wants to actively sit down and make these decisions, but Nelson’s makes this process seamless. I was so impressed with their willingness to answer all questions big or small. So glad I made the decision have them help my mom and dad and now me. You can’t go wrong with Nelson’s Elder Care Law.

- Hope

The very best elder law attorney and staff anyone could ever ask for! I have referred a number of clients to Cindy and she never disappoints. She is kind, caring, and extremely thorough in making sure everything is completed as it should be. I highly recommend Cindy for anyone needing lawyer services; she truly goes above and beyond for every client she helps and has had a huge impact in so many peoples’ lives. Thank you, Cindy and staff, for everything that you do- I’m so glad to know you!

- Kerri

I heard Cindy’s presentation at a Senior Luncheon at my church, and was very impressed. She helped my daughter and me understand many aspects of elder law. Josh has also been very helpful in my planning to enter an independent living situation . I have told many friends about them.

- Charlotte

Cindy and the Nelson Elder Care Law team are trustworthy and helpful. They are the experts in elder care law. At Leaf Cremation, we entrust our families to the care of the Nelson team when their services are needed.

- Pierce