Delaware Estate Planning Lawyers Helping You Protect Your Future
It is common for people to avoid or delay estate planning. Some don’t like to dwell on their own mortality; others assume that they’ll have plenty of time to get to it someday. In spite of these understandable attitudes, it is important for your future and the future of your loved ones to have a well-written estate plan in place.
At the Law Office of Kevin A. O’Brien, we help individuals and families in Delaware and Pennsylvania make estate planning easy, convenient and affordable. And, because our practice is focused exclusively on estate planning, administration and probate, you can be confident that your estate plan will be comprehensive, thorough and legally sound.
Who Needs An Estate Plan?
Estate planning is not only for people with large estates, complicated finances or significant wealth. If you own a home, have children, maintain bank accounts, run a business or want a trusted person to make decisions for you if you become unable to do so, you can benefit from having a clear plan in place. Without one, your family may one day have to make those important choices during an already difficult time.
A well-prepared estate plan can also help you control what happens to your property, protect your loved ones and reduce confusion after your death. If you have minor children, blended family relationships, property in more than one state or a loved one with special needs, advanced planning becomes even more important. These situations often require careful document choices and clear instructions.
We are estate planning attorneys who can help you understand which documents best fit your circumstances and which ones may not be necessary. You do not need to know every answer before you speak with us. During your initial consultation, we can talk through your goals, your family situation and your concerns so that you can make informed decisions about the plan that is right for you.
The Basics: Included Documents And Pricing
Our estate planning services begin with a standard set of documents. At the very least, your estate plan will include:
- A will
- One or more trusts
- A deed to transfer your home to a trust
- A living will
- Designated powers of attorney (both financial and medical)
During an initial, no-obligation consultation, we will help you determine whether you need additional documents that may be more complex. Examples could include a special needs trust or an insurance trust.
Unlike other attorneys, we do not bill by the hour. Instead, we charge a flat fee based on the specific documents and services you will require. We can give you a no-obligation quote at the end of your initial consultation. Before you spend any money whatsoever, you’ll know exactly how much our services will cost and exactly what you can expect for that fee.
Common Estate Planning Mistakes To Avoid
Once you understand why estate planning matters, the next step is making sure your documents actually reflect your needs. Even a thoughtful plan can cause confusion when people delay it, leave it incomplete or make it difficult for loved ones to find. Some common mistakes include:
- Postponing necessary choices: Starting earlier gives you more time to decide calmly before illness, relocation or family conflict makes planning urgent.
- Selecting generic forms: Online templates may seem convenient, but they may not reflect Delaware or Pennsylvania law, specific property or personal relationships.
- Overlooking major changes: Marriage, divorce, births, deaths and new assets can affect who should receive property or make decisions for you.
- Missing incapacity documents: A will only applies after death, while powers of attorney and a living will can guide trusted people during your lifetime.
- Storing papers casually: Loved ones may face added stress if they cannot find the signed records when the time comes.
Working with estate planning lawyers can help you avoid these problems before they create uncertainty for your family. We take the time to explain your options, prepare the documents you need and keep your plan accessible through secure document storage at our office.
Going Above And Beyond For Our Clients
As estate planning lawyers, we understand that our commitment to clients doesn’t end once all the papers are signed. If you ever have questions about your documents (even years from now), we are happy to answer those questions at no charge. We also provide free, secure document storage in our office, so you’ll never need to worry about losing paperwork.
Call Us To Get Started On Your Estate Plan
If you live in Delaware or Pennsylvania, we are ready to help with all your estate planning needs. To learn more, please fill out our online contact form or call our Greenville, Delaware, office at 302-888-2707.