Law Lingo: Estate Lawyer
Welcome to Law Lingo: a monthly blog series brought to you by The Brown Law Firm, LLC that explains estate planning terminologies in simple terms. This month we will explain an estate lawyer.
Estate attorneys help people navigate the intricacies of law in the areas of:
- Estate planning (wills, trusts, powers of attorney, living will, etc.)
- Business planning (creating a corporation, partnership or limited liability company)
- Estate/trust administration
- Protective person proceedings (guardianships and conservatorships)
- Probate/trust litigation
You do not have to be a multi-millionaire to benefit from an estate lawyer’s expertise. If you own possessions, that means you have an estate. If you have loved ones, that means you should take measures to protect their financial, emotional and social well-being after you leave this earth. If you own a business, that means you should draft legal documents to keep your company running smoothly after your death.
An estate lawyer may introduce you to previously unknown legal documents that will provide an extra layer of protection for you, your family or your business. For example, are you aware of living will documents that allow you to state how you want medical care, such as life-sustaining measures, if you should become seriously injured? If you do not have this type of document in place, your family may have to make unthinkable choices on your behalf – decisions such as ending or continuing life support. Let’s say you feel strongly that you would not want to be kept alive artificially but your family is unaware of this fact. If your family members simply cannot make that type of decision, the result could be long-term medical bills and emotional strain on your loved ones as they continue treatments. A living will with your explicit wishes spelled out will remove the burden from your loved ones.
Estate lawyers assist families through the legal process before, during and after a loved one dies. These situations can be very simple and straightforward or they can be complex and drawn-out. It is important to hire an attorney who has a great deal of experience so they can help you navigate the process – such as contests to the will, problems with executors or guardians, etc.
Still confused by estate lawyer or any other legal terms? The Denver estate lawyers at The Brown Law Firm, LLC are here to help. Contact us at (303) 339-3750 or send us a message online to meet with our experts.