Comprehensive Estate Planning
The attorneys at Norton, Abert & Jordan, P.C. can assist you with a comprehensive estate plan which will meet the needs of you and your family.
We offer all types of estate and incapacity planning documents
Your attorney will review your family and financial information with you, and will recommend documents specific to your personal circumstances. We are careful not to recommend a specific plan for you until we have discussed your financial and family circumstances in person. Your estate planning documents will meet your specific needs, in the event that you should die or become incapacitated. We can also prepare “pet trusts” providing for the care of your beloved animals after your death.
Helpful Tips for Estate Planning
A funded revocable trust will help avoid probate administration.
Yet creating a revocable trust is only half the job. If your home, accounts, and other assets aren’t actually retitled into the trust’s name, administration of the estate in Probate Court may still be necessary.
Your power of attorney and health care directive matter just as much as your will and trust.
Without a power of attorney and advance directive, your family may have no legal authority to manage your finances or make medical decisions for you if you become incapacitated while you’re still alive.
Review your plan after major life events.
Marriage, divorce, the birth of a child or grandchild, the death of a beneficiary or fiduciary, or a significant change in assets are all good reasons to revisit your documents.
Naming a guardian for minor children is one of the most important decisions in your will.
If something happens to both parents, a court will decide who raises your children unless you’ve named someone yourself.
Beneficiary designations override your estate plan.
Life insurance, retirement accounts, and other assets with named beneficiaries pass directly to whoever is listed, regardless of what your will or trust says. Outdated beneficiary forms are one of the most common estate planning mistakes.
Choosing your executor or trustee deserves real thought.
The right person isn’t always the oldest child or the closest relative; it’s the person with the organizational skills, availability, and temperament to handle the role well, with a trustworthy backup named in case they can’t serve.
A declaration of final arrangements can spare your family a difficult decision.
Putting your wishes for burial, cremation, or memorial services in writing relieves loved ones of having to guess.
Estate planning isn't just for the wealthy.
Anyone with minor children, specific wishes for their care, or even modest assets benefits from having a plan in place — it’s about control and clarity, not net wealth.
Putting it off doesn't make it easier, it just shifts the burden to your family.
The right time to create or update your estate plan is now, while you’re able to make these decisions thoughtfully and on your own terms.