We deliver custom estate planning services specific to your individual needs.

Whether it’s drafting a will, establishing Power of Attorney for a loved one or completing a health care directive, planning for the future – whatever it may bring – is the smartest way to protect your family and assets during uncertain times. At Eckberg Lammers, we deliver custom estate planning services specific to your individual needs so you can enjoy peace of mind today and avoid unnecessary stress tomorrow.

Estate Planning

When you develop an estate plan with Eckberg Lammers, you are proactively ensuring that your assets are protected and distributed to the beneficiaries according to your wishes, both during your life and after death. You’re also helping to minimize potential tax and financial burdens for your family.

  • Wills
  • Revocable Trusts
  • Irrevocable Trusts
  • Insurance Trusts
  • Estate Tax Planning
  • Legacy Planning
  • Charitable Trusts
  • Powers of Attorney
  • Health Care Directives
  • Guardianships
  • Conservatorships
  • Special Needs Trusts

 

Probate & Trust Administration

Whether you’re working with the courts to transfer assets out of a deceased loved one’s name or following the directives of a pre-existing trust agreement, Eckberg Lammers can help you navigate the often complex – and sometimes delicate – issues that arise when closing an estate after death.

  • Asset analysis and administration
  • Formal & Informal Probate
  • Supervised and Unsupervised Probate
  • Estate Inventory, Accounts and Distribution
  • Debt Assessment & Notice to Creditors
  • Trust AdministrationAsset Transfer assistance
  • Estate Fiduciary tax return preparation and assistance

Estate Planning Questions & Answers

  • Do I need an Estate Plan if I'm not wealthy?

    Many people believe estate planning is only necessary for the wealthy; however, that is far from the truth. Estate planning is essential for anyone with personal property, financial assets, real property, dependents, and/or minor children, regardless of the age of the person, the size of the estate, or the value. A well-crafted estate plan can help to ensure that loved ones are protected when you are gone and that assets are distributed according to your specific wishes.

  • What is "Probate"?

    “Probate” is the general administration of a deceased person’s estate, either through the deceased person’s will, or through the relevant state laws through the probate court. A Personal Representative (“Executor”) is nominated – either in a will, or if no will, by the deceased person’s heirs, and appointed by the court to complete the probate process on behalf of the deceased person. This involves collecting the deceased person’s assets, pay remaining debts and liabilities, and distributing any remaining assets to beneficiaries or heirs. Having an effective estate plan can avoid the necessity of probate.

  • What is the difference between a "Will" and a "Trust?"

    Both Wills and Trusts are legal documents that outline how assets will be distributed, and who will be responsible for such distribution. However, there are many key differences between a will and a trust, and depending on one’s specific circumstances, an estate planning attorney will recommend one or the other, or even both. Here are the biggest differences:

    First, a will only takes effect upon death, whereas a trust is created and effective during the individual’s lifetime. Next, individuals transfer assets to their trust in order to avoid probate, minimize estate taxes, and protect assets from creditors. A will alone does not avoid probate, does not minimize estate taxes, or protect your assets from creditors. Finally, a will nominates a Personal Representative to manage your estate after your death, and a trust appoints a Trustee to manage your assets not only upon death, but in the event of incapacity.

  • What is the difference between a “Personal Representative” (i.e., Executor) and a “Power of Attorney?”

    A “Personal Representative” is an individual nominated in a person’s will to manage the person’s estate upon their death. A “Power of Attorney” is a legal document that nominates an “Attorney-in-Fact” to act on one’s behalf in the event the individual becomes incapacitated or unable to make financial decisions for themselves. A Personal Representative does not act until after a person’s death, and an Attorney-in-Fact under a Power of Attorney acts while the individual is alive but incapacitated – the Power of Attorney terminates upon the individual’s death.

  • Do I even need an attorney to create an Estate Plan?

    Simply put, you can write some of your own legal documents that make up part of an estate plan. With today’s technology and infinite online resources, there are plenty of “DIY” templates that help you write them. However, the question you really should be asking yourself is, should you write your own estate plan? In asking yourself that question, you also need to ask yourself: will those do-it-yourself legal documents be valid? Will they hold up in court if ever contested? Estate planning attorneys are lawyers who have specialized knowledge related to estates, trusts, probate, elder law, real estate, tax, and many other legal issues that you need to consider in creating your estate plan. An estate planning attorney can provide you with personalized advice based on your specific situation and wishes.

Our Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Team

Guides & Forms

In Our Clients’ Words

Legal matters are never easy to deal with, and then add these times of uncertainty and it becomes very stressful. This was not the case in my will and directives planning. The team made what I expected to be a complicated drawn out process into a smooth well informed result that not only accomplished our end goal, but made me and my father feel comfortable and kept us informed.
S.W.
Thank you. You, and everyone else from your office has been beyond helpful. I couldn’t have done all this without the great guidance and support from your team.
C.Z.
Thank you once again for your professionalism and your caring ways. You treated me with such respect and this case was so grueling and went in so many directions but we pulled through. Thank you Patrick you are an asset to Eckberg Lammers.
Estate Planning Client