Estate Planning Lawyer in Manchester, NH

Death is something no one wants to think about, but it's even more difficult to deal with by yourself. By mapping out your trust and will ahead of time with Schubert Law Offices in Manchester, NH, you'll ensure that your loved ones will have less stress and burden, so that there will be more time to embrace the happy memories and spend time with family and friends.

We have a team of compassionate and skilled estate planning lawyers who can assist you with estate planning services to help you map out the best plan for everyone involved. If you are just getting started in planning your estate, don't worry because we can help you with the entire process. Everyone has an estate and it is important to ensure that your possessions are taken care of when you're gone. Think of estate planning as services to assist in transferring all of your property to your loved ones so that they are taken care of.

Don't wait until it's too late to designate your estate. Too many people fail to complete their estate planning and then their beneficiaries are out of luck. Call Schubert Law Offices to schedule an appointment and to initiate your will and trusts. We can discuss the differences and choose what's best for you. Get piece of mind with an estate planning lawyer that can protect your family. There's no better time than now to start planning. Contact us today for more information.

Wills, Trusts, and Estate Planning Services

• Inventory Your Physical Belongings - Make a list of everything you own that's worth $1000 or more. This could include jewelry, firearms, collectibles, vehicles, appliances, tools, and so on.
• Inventory Your Non-Physical Belongings - These are things that you own that don't occupy physical space: insurance policies, retirement accounts, brokerages, IRA accounts, and such.
• Make a Credit Card and Debt List - It's always good to have an updated account of any credit cards, lines of credit, mortgages, vehicle or student loans, or other debts you might have.
• Review Insurance Policies - Life insurance and annuities pass by contract to your designated beneficiaries upon your death, so make sure your policies are updated appropriately.
• Review Retirement Accounts - Make sure your listed beneficiaries are in order. 
• Assign TOD Designations - Many bank and financial institution accounts have a "Transfer On Death" feature that allows your beneficiaries to avoid costly probate processes. Your assets will transfer directly to them upon your demise.
• Select an Estate Administrator - Carefully consider who will be the most responsible person to administrate your estate once you're gone. This person could be a spouse, a child, a parent, or a trusted friend or relative.

Wills and living trusts are just two ways to dictate your estate plan. 

• Trusts account for your well-being in the event of an accident or illness, as well as helping your family avoid probate courts in the event of your demise. If you become ill or disabled, a trust appoints a close individual, such as a spouse or other trusted family member, to oversee your affairs and manage your estate. They also prevent your finances from ever becoming a matter of public record. Trusts are a little more expensive than wills but are more convenient in the long run. 
• Writing a will is a less expensive alternative to a living trust. A will is a written document that indicates what you would like to happen to your assets and minor children after your death. It is signed, witnessed, and can be changed over your lifetime. 

• Start Early: Planning your estate is an uncomfortable topic to consider, but it's best to make your plans as early as possible in order to ensure the well-being of yourself, your family, and your estate.
• Remember Your Digital Footprint: Because we're living in the digital age, it's important to keep your digital presence in mind. Consider who you would like to have access to your digital belongings, including photos, banking information, blogs, social media logins, and more. Put a plan in place for someone to access these things after you're gone.
• Keep Your Insurance Up-to-Date: Did you know that your will does not control who receives your insurance assets after your death? These determinations are made by the beneficiary designations on your policies. Make sure to review your life, home, auto, and health insurance policies in order to make sure your beneficiary information is current.
• What Happens to Your Kids? Estate planning helps parents prepare for the worst. We'll help you designate who will inherit guardianship of your children in case it becomes necessary.
• Make Provisions for a Living Will: This document helps you state your wishes for end-of-life medical care, life support, and more. It's important to prepare such a document ahead of time in case you become unable to communicate your decision for yourself.

What to Bring to an Estate Planning Appointment

• Family Information - We'll need full names, nicknames, ages, and contact information for your spouse, former spouse(s) (if applicable), children, stepchildren, and grandchildren. If there are any others who are part of your inheritance plan, include information for them as well.
• Financial information for Your Assets - This includes any non-retirement assets, such as bank accounts, investment accounts, stocks, bonds, and the like. You can bring specific account numbers and current statements, we are most interested in how the assets are titled and in their order of magnitude.
• Life Insurance Information - This includes any 401(k) accounts, 403(b)s, 457s, IRAs, Roths, TSPs, retirement savings you inherited, and any relevant pension information. We would like to know the type of asset, beneficiary information, and the name of the institution or employer. 
• Retirement Savings Information - This includes the policy type, the ownership, the providing company and any beneficiary information. In this case, bring exact information, including account numbers and recent statements.
• Tangible Property - If you own any material possessions (antiques, collectibles, cars, jewelry, art, etc.) that has value, we should know about it so you can plan for it.
• Business Information - If you have any participation in a business, let us know. We'll need to know more information about the type of business, its location, and more.
• Inheritance Information - This includes any current or anticipated inheritance you might have. You should also indicate whether you have or might at any point have an interest in a Trust.