Crafting Effective Estate Plans

One of life’s immutable truths is that no one gets to choose when their time on this earth is up.  Regardless of your age or health, the worst can happen at any moment and having a carefully drafted estate plan in place is essential to ensuring that your family and loved ones are provided for when you are no longer here.

At VanderWoude & Roma, PLLC, we take the time to get to know our clients so we can carefully craft an estate plan to meet all of their desired wishes.  Whether it be a Will, Trust, Power of Attorney, Healthcare Proxy, or some combination, we can help you devise a plan to address all of your specific needs so you can rest easy knowing your family and loved ones are adequately provided for when the worst happens.

Last Will And Testament

A Last Will and Testament is the cornerstone to ensuring your assets are divided in accordance with your wishes.  Without it, your family and loved ones will be forced to navigate the laws of intestacy which can be costly and will almost certainly not divide your assets the way you would have wanted.

A carefully crafted Will allows the probate process to run smoothly and minimize the chances of a family member challenging your final wishes.

Trusts

A Trust can be a powerful tool to avoid Probate, provide for your family’s future, or even protect your assets during your lifetime.

We have extensive experience drafting:

  • Revocable/Irrevocable Trusts
  • Medicaid Trusts
  • Special Needs/Supplemental Needs Trusts

Healthcare Proxies

In New York, a living Will does not provide the necessary authority for your designee to make medical decisions in the event you are unable to do so; instead, one must have a healthcare proxy.  There are many considerations in deciding who to choose and how much authority you wish to give them.  The attorneys at VanderWoude & Roma take the time to answer all your questions so that you can make informed decisions.

Power Of Attorney

Part of catastrophic planning involves your continuing and necessary participation in business affairs, even in the event that you should unexpectedly become incapacitated.  A power of attorney delegates various powers to a designated person or people of your choosing who will be able to act in your name with the full authority of law.  Granting someone power of attorney over your assets should not be taken lightly.  Our attorneys are here to counsel you through all the different options and draft a power of attorney for your specific situation.

Begin Building Your Estate Plan Today

At VanderWoude & Roma, PLLC, we understand the importance of estate planning for both you and your family. We take a caring and personal approach, helping clients resolve their concerns effectively and efficiently and communicate openly with our clients throughout the legal process.

To discuss your estate planning need with an experienced attorney, reach out to our Stormville office online or call 845-225-6686 to arrange a consultation.