Louisville Estate Planning Lawyers

Let's face it. No one likes to think about death or disability. That may be one reason why so many people fail to have an estate plan, leaving their family members guessing about their wishes and intentions after they are gone — or worse — pursuing legal action over their estate or guardianship of their children.

Helping You Plan for Your Future and Your Family's Future

Regardless of the size of your estate, it is very important to have a proper estate plan in place. Our experienced estate planning attorneys will help you make decisions about inheritance, preserve your assets and take advantage of inheritance tax exemptions via comprehensive planning strategies. We also provide estate planning services for same-sex couples who are just recently protected by Kentucky's marriage and inheritance laws.

Call (502) 425-8717 or contact us online to schedule a confidential consultation at our Louisville law office. If you are unable to come to our office, we may come to your home to discuss creating an individualized estate plan for you.

The English Law Group, P.S.C. offers sixty years of legal experience in the area of estate planning. From our offices in Louisville, we serve clients in Greater Jefferson County and Southern Indiana.

At our family-based firm, you will always receive personalized service from a dedicated attorney — not a paralegal. One of our attorneys will meet with you to discuss your goals, establish will or trust and help you plan for the future.

Wills · Trusts · Powers of Attorney · Living Wills

From a simple will to a complex estate plan, we have the knowledge and skills needed to design an estate plan that will meet your unique needs. Our estate planning services include:

Last Will and Testaments:

By your last will and testament you direct who will receive your assets and property after your death and name an executor to probate your estate. A properly drafted will gives your executor the power to sell real property. If a power of sale is not included in the will, the representative may need to get a probate court order to complete any real estate transactions.

Many residents of Kentucky and Indiana do not realize that if they die without a properly executed will their estate will be devised according to state statutes and will probably not go directly to their spouses.

In your last will and testament you can also designate the guardian for any minor or children. Many people find this to be the most important aspect of the document.  Your will can also include a trust so that your children do not get control of the estate until they reach a certain age (i.e. 23 or 25-years-old).

UPDATING AN EXISTING WILL:

Your will should be amended periodically, especially after a major life event such as a divorce or remarriage, or death of an heir. Revoking a previously drafted will without consulting a lawyer can result in later disputes in probate court. Holographic wills (hand-written) are recognized in Kentucky, the entire will must be in the testator’s handwriting and signed by the testator.

Trusts:

A trust is a method of preserving assets or providing continued support for family members. The funds (money or assets) are distributed to the beneficiaries in accordance with the exact terms of the trust. Trusts can be used to accomplish a variety of estate planning goals. Some of the types of trust we often recommend to clients, include:

  • Life Insurance Trusts

  • Marital Trusts

  • Minor's Trusts

  • Generation-Skipping Trusts

  • Charitable Trusts

  • Supplemental or Special Needs Trusts

Living Wills/health care directives:

In a living will/health care directive, you can express your wishes regarding end-of-life care. You can also explain what types of medical treatment you would want if you were unable to speak for yourself.

Health Care Powers of Attorney:

You can name a trusted relative or friend to make medical decisions for you in the in the event you become incapacitated or unable to make your own decisions.

Durable Powers of Attorney:

You can name someone to maintain your personal and financial affairs if you are unable to do so yourself.

Tax Planning:

If you have a large estate, you need to take measures to protect yourself from unnecessary taxation.
Contact the estate planning attorneys of The English Law Group, P.S.C. to arrange your initial consultation.

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