Fast and Secure Online Estate Planning
Nobody enjoys thinking about what to do with their assets after they have passed away. However, everybody knows that estate planning is an important process that shouldn't be postponed. Anthony Law believes estate planning should be easy and painless but done the right way. We provide advice and documents tailored to your specific needs. Our estate planning attorneys will guide you through each step to ensure that your plans are documented, legally compliant, and reflect exactly what your family needs.
Our firm provides an entirely online estate planning process. The pandemic inspired us to develop this service, and technological advancements have allowed us to provide many of our legal services without ever having to meet you in person. This forward-thinking approach to estate planning lets you create a comprehensive plan almost entirely from the safety of your own home.
While our services are intended to make the estate planning process require as little in-person interaction as possible, some documents must be signed by witnesses or notarized to be valid. The nature of these activities requires some level of in-person contact. Anthony Law provides e-notarization services and can otherwise instruct you on how to carry out your estate plan in a manner you find comfortable.
Our Estate Planning Services
The most effective estate planning documents give clear instructions and are legally binding. Speaking to an estate planning attorney at Anthony Law will allow you to review your options and understand what exactly each document does.
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A legal document that details your wishes to the probate court upon your death. This document includes how your assets should be distributed, how your debts should be paid, how any dependents should be cared for, as well as how to name the executor of your estate. A will is the first step to avoiding issues with probate.
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A fiduciary agreement that permits a trustee to hold assets for the benefit of your beneficiaries while protecting against various contingencies or risks after your demise. They provide much of the same information as a will, but they are far more detailed. A trust can also provide information regarding how your wealth should be used for a certain cause and protect the future of your spouse or regulating distribution of funds for your children. This will also help keep your property out of probate court, saving both time and money.
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A legal document that names someone to take care of legal and financial decisions. You may state exactly what powers you would like your agent to have.
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Legal documents that state your wishes for health care when you are unable to communicate them yourself. These documents often include your decisions regarding organ donation, end of life care, and final arrangements.
Everyone Needs Updated Documents That Reflect Their Wishes
You might have an idea about what you want to happen to your assets, but it is essential that your family members also know your wishes. Anthony Law offers advice on a number of legal protections and safeguards that can help carry out your plans, such as estate administration, the selection of an executor, estate settlement services, estate taxes, advance directives, and others. We are here to provide you with a comprehensive plan that you can create and set aside.
While every estate plan is unique, all plans require these ten actions and the guidance of an estate attorney to ensure that your property passes to those you select in a seamless, orderly, and economical way. A strong plan will ease the burden placed on your survivors. Our estate planning attorneys can help you do the following:
Document your property and determine what you own and what you owe
Evaluate your insurance policies
Plan for the liquidity of assets to pay debts
Plan for the expenses of your funeral, burial, or body disposition
Name your beneficiaries
Plan a strategy to avoid probate or reduce the property which must pass through probate court
Prepare a Last Will and Testament
Plan a Trust, if needed
Plan to minimize taxes and expenses associated with the distribution of your estate
Review and update your estate plan periodically
Name the Guardian (substitute parent) for any minor children you have
We know it may be daunting, but Anthony Law is here to ensure you have everything you need to create your personalized plan. Our online form allows you to fill out your information at your convenience. We will let you know if anything is missing or needs clarification. Alleviate any concerns you have about the future of your assets by contacting us today.
The Importance Of A Comprehensive Estate Plan
Everyone should be prepared for the future—even folks that are on the younger side. COVID-19 has forced us to realize that the unexpected can and does happen and that we should do our best to prepare. Decisions regarding end-of-life care, the division of property, how children are cared for, and how debts are paid are things only you can articulate. Estate planning is not just for the end of your life, but also for all the stages that come before death.
Wills, trusts, and power of attorney forms are merely base documents necessary for an effective and enforceable estate plan. Not only will a thorough plan put your mind at ease, but it will also alleviate the burden on your loved ones who will already be grieving. It can be challenging to think that far ahead, but getting on it now will prevent further anxiety later on down the road.
Today, 52% of people at or over age 55 don’t have a will or other estate planning documents. A full estate plan will ensure your property is distributed according to your wishes. Without one, your assets will be disbursed based on Ohio state law. If you want to leave money to a specific organization, provide guidance for your business, or appoint guardians for your children, an estate plan will articulate these wishes.
If you do not have a valid Last Will and Testament admissible in Ohio Courts, the Judge will more or less create a Will for you as outlined in Ohio statutes. Accordingly, an absence of planning may result in a judge deciding who would care for any minor children as their Guardian should you leave children behind. At Anthony Law, we believe you are in the best position to decide who should parent your children, and a Last Will and Testament ensures that your wishes are respected. A valid Last Will and Testament can help parents rest more easily, knowing their affairs are in order if they die unexpectedly.
The point of your estate plan is to serve as a roadmap for carrying out your goals and wishes. Creating an estate plan is something you should ideally do once and never revisit. However, if you experience a significant change in your life, it is crucial that you adjust your estate plan to reflect your new circumstances. Let us help you evaluate the best way to do so.
Why Work With Anthony Law
Anthony Law’s experienced estate planning attorneys will guide you through the process from start to finish and help you determine the best estate plan structure. There are many do-it-yourself tools online, but only an experienced lawyer can help you determine what you need to do and ensure that you do it correctly. In fact, doing it wrong can be worse than not having an estate plan at all.
Most of the big online legal services companies do not offer the protection or personalized knowledge our attorneys have as members of the Ohio Bar. Those pre-made forms may help you avoid probate or provide limited guidance to your loved ones, but only an experienced attorney can fully customize your documents to reflect your wishes for different situations.
The proper setup for estates and transfer of assets requires efficient, thorough, and personalized planning. While you may have many of your decisions already made, such as who you want to inherit your assets, other questions may still linger. For example, “What tool should I use to transfer my assets?” and “what if I change my mind in a few years?” are some of the questions we anticipate and will answer when personalizing your plan. Anthony Law offers numerous personalized plans, and we will gladly walk you through a comprehensive list of different pathways before finding the one that best suits your needs and wants.
While free online estate planning tools may seem alluring, working with an attorney will often save you and your family time, money, and headaches in the future. Proper planning with us will minimize transfer taxes, probate costs, and the need for court involvement. We’ll ensure that your documents comply with the current laws and carry out your wishes in the way you want. Plus, Anthony Law will be here as a resource to answer your questions or make changes for you down the road.
Our Online Process Can Be Done Entirely Remotely With No Need to See Anyone Face-to-Face
We are proud to be one of the only law firms in Ohio that allows you to complete the entire estate planning process online. There is no need to come into the office either; we will contact you to meet over a video call to discuss your options. The estate planning process is something people often don’t have time to do, but they know they must do it eventually. That is why we created a streamlined approach that allows you to work with us at your own pace without ever having to leave your home.
You can find our safe and secure online form here. Filling out the information will jumpstart your estate planning process with us.
We know it may seem like a lot at first, but these items are necessary to create an unambiguous plan. Feel free to work on the form over time by using the save button to save where you left off. Take your time ensuring the information is accurate and thorough. Once you submit your form, we’ll take it from there. Relax while we compile your information, and we will be in touch with options for your personalized plan. You will no longer have to worry about what happens to your affairs, and we’ll help you get it done right and at a reasonable price.
