Vermont trusts and estates attorneys help you plan for the future
Middlebury lawyers work to protect your legacy
Whether you are planning the care or support of loved ones upon your death or wrangling with the probate process while mourning the loss of a loved one, the attorneys at Wagner Law and Jonathan Heppell, Esq. PLC can help. We assist with all aspects of trusts and estates issues, including:
- Estate planning
- Estate taxes
- Executorship duties
- Guardianship
- Living wills / Advanced Directives for Health Care
- Living trusts
- Probate
- Probate and will disputes
- Wills drafting and execution
- Powers of Attorney for Financial Affairs
Estate planning
You work hard for your family, so knowing that you have planned for their long-term well-being and financial security can bring you comfort. When devising an estate plan, we consider how best to protect your children, support your loved ones and contribute to the charitable causes that are special to you.
We thoroughly analyze your estate and strategize the best means of transferring your assets, minimizing taxes, establishing guardianship for your children, caring for your pets, supporting your personal philanthropic causes and protecting your loved ones. We can draft a will that reflects your desires and establish living trusts if they would serve your individual needs and your estate planning goals.
Probate
We understand that the process of probate follows a time of painful emotional loss. Out knowledgeable, meticulous probate attorneys can ease the stress of probating the estate.
We assist executors in all steps of the complex process of probating a will in Vermont probate court, including:
- Creating a plan of action to probate the estate fairly and expeditiously
- Filing the will with the Vermont probate court
- Closing and opening bank accounts
- Transferring assets from the deceased to the estate
- Paying taxes and other debts
- Locating beneficiaries
- Hiring professional experts when necessary
Probate disputes
The stress of a probate dispute can compound the pain of losing a loved one. When disputes arise, our attorneys’ maintain a composed courtroom demeanor. This helps calm the emotionally-charged process of challenging an invalid will or defending a valid will against erroneous claims made by unhappy beneficiaries. If you choose to preserve amiable family relationships, our attorneys can skillfully mediate disputes to reach just, equitable resolutions with your loved ones. When necessary, we assertively defend your beneficiary rights within the Vermont probate court.
Contact estate planning lawyers you can trust.
Wagner Law and Jonathan Heppell, Esq. PLC serve clients in Middlebury and throughout Vermont. Call us at 802-349-1675 or contact us online to schedule a consultation at our Middlebury office.
