Wills, Trusts & Estates

Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Administration

Estate planning is the process of preparing for the management and transfer of property during life and after death.

Black Ballard McDonald P.C. assists individuals and families with wills, trusts, powers of attorney, estate and gift tax planning, business succession planning, probate, estate administration, trust administration, and guardianships.

Wills

A will provides instructions concerning the disposition of property following death and can address other important estate matters.

Our attorneys assist clients with preparing wills designed to reflect their wishes and individual family and financial circumstances.

Trusts

Trusts can be used for a variety of estate-planning and property-management purposes.

Depending upon the individual's objectives, a trust may be used to manage assets, provide for beneficiaries, plan for future incapacity, or address how property should be distributed following death.

Our attorneys help clients determine whether a trust is appropriate and prepare trust documents when they are part of the client's estate plan.

Powers of Attorney

Estate planning also includes preparing for the possibility that an individual may become unable to make certain decisions independently.

Powers of attorney can authorize another person to make specified decisions concerning property, finances, or health care.

Black Ballard McDonald P.C. assists clients with powers of attorney for health care and property as part of a comprehensive estate plan.

Estate and Gift Tax Planning

For individuals and families whose circumstances require additional tax planning, our attorneys provide estate and gift tax planning services.

The appropriate planning strategy depends upon the client's assets, family circumstances, objectives, and applicable tax laws.

Business Succession Planning

Business owners may need to consider what will happen to a company or ownership interest following retirement, incapacity, or death.

Business succession planning can coordinate corporate and estate-planning objectives and establish a framework for transferring ownership or management.

Our firm's experience in both corporate law and estate planning allows us to assist business owners with these overlapping considerations.

Probate and Estate Administration

Following a death, an estate may require probate or other legal administration.

Our attorneys assist executors and other representatives with determining whether probate is necessary, identifying and inventorying estate assets, addressing claims and estate obligations, preparing required documents and accountings, distributing property to beneficiaries, and completing the legal administration of the estate.

Trust Administration

Trustees have legal responsibilities concerning the management and distribution of trust property.

Black Ballard McDonald P.C. provides legal counsel to trustees concerning trust administration and assists with the preparation of accountings, distributions, and other matters associated with administering a trust.

The firm also represents beneficiaries when legal assistance is required concerning their interests in an estate or trust.

Guardianships

Our attorneys assist with guardianship matters involving minor children and disabled adults.

This can include establishing a guardianship through the court and providing ongoing legal guidance concerning the responsibilities and rights of guardians and wards.

Probate Avoidance and Estate Planning

When appropriate, estate planning may include strategies intended to reduce or avoid the need for probate.

Whether probate avoidance is desirable depends upon the client's property, family situation, estate plan, and objectives.

Our attorneys work with clients to develop an estate plan based upon their individual circumstances rather than relying upon a one-size-fits-all approach.