Boise Estate Planning Lawyer

Boise is the thriving capital city of Idaho. It is home to thousands of people, many of whom are entering their retirement years. No matter your age or wealth, having a comprehensive estate plan in place is vital for your future and that of your loved ones. At Senior Edge Legal, our Boise estate planning lawyer can guide you through all aspects of building an estate plan. We can make sure your legacy continues long after you’re gone.

Why have an estate plan? You have spent a lifetime carefully building financial stability. Now you need a formal plan in place to protect you and your family during your lifetime and after you are gone. Estate planning is for everyone, whether your total assets are $50,000 or $10,000,000.

Many of our clients are anxious about being a burden, losing their independence as they age, running out of money and leaving a mess after they die. We help our clients develop clear actionable estate plans to protect their independence, assets and families.

They set up a plan to address how to manage their funds for the rest of their lives and after they die. Their plans identify who are the people to help make decisions when they are too sick or die, giving them peace of mind.

While nobody wants to think about death or disability, establishing an estate plan is one of the most important steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones. Proper estate planning not only puts you in charge of your finances, it can also spare your loved ones the expense, fights and frustration associated with managing your affairs when you pass away or become disabled.

Aspects of a Comprehensive Estate Plan in Boise

Though the senior population of Boise is around 15.3% of its residents, only around 45% of them likely have a solid estate plan in place. Some people think that having an estate plan is only for rich or famous individuals. However, this is quite untrue. People of any age, health, or status in the community can greatly benefit from a sound estate plan. No matter the amount of assets you own, having an estate plan is vital.

Senior Edge Legal can guide you through all the key aspects of a Boise estate plan. These include:

Last Will and Testament

This document can establish several terms to secure both your legacy and that of your loved ones. A will can allow you to name legal guardians for your children should you pass away with minors still under care. You can also appoint an executor to handle your estate through probate.

Additionally, your will enables you to name heirs and allocate certain assets or pieces of property to those heirs upon your death. A will does need to go through probate, however, and this process can be both time-consuming and expensive. That is why having an attorney to help you create your will is so important.

Trusts

More and more people are choosing a Revocable Trust (Living Trust) over a Will with good reason. A Revocable Trust meets the needs of many of today’s families better than any other plan, and has far fewer risks.

Like a Will, a Revocable Trust is a legal document that lets you specify who you want to receive your assets after you die.  But it does much more.  Here are just some of the benefits:

• It avoids the costs, delays, and publicity of probate.
• It prevents the court from taking control of your assets if you can’t because of dementia or physical problems.
• It prevents the court from controlling assets you leave to minor children and grandchildren.
• It allows you to decide who receives your wealth after you die with no risk of unintentional disinheriting.
• It can protect assets for your children if your surviving spouse should remarry.

Powers of Attorney

In Idaho, this legal document gives another person, your agent, the ability to make decisions on your behalf when you cannot do so yourself. There are two main types of POA in Boise, including:

• Durable financial power of attorney. This allows your agent the power to manage your bank accounts and investments, pay bills and taxes, apply for government benefits, and make business decisions on your behalf if you can’t.
• Medical power of attorney. This enables your agent to make certain healthcare decisions when you cannot communicate your desires. Your agent is granted access to your medical records. They can make end-of-life care decisions on your behalf. They can also consent to or refuse medical treatments.

Consult a Trusted Estate Planning Lawyer in Boise Today

A comprehensive estate plan starts with looking at your health, finances and family circumstances. The plan takes into consideration your goals for the remainder of your life and how you want to protect your family after you are gone. The best estate plans create a bridge between your current situation and your goals.

Estate plans may be simple or complex. At Senior Edge Legal we specialize in helping you create a plan that fits your unique needs and avoid costly mistakes.

Call and make an appointment with Susan M. Graham, a Certified Elder Law attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation, who can look at your overall estate picture to decide what makes the most sense in your case.