Estate Planning Attorney

Wills, Trusts and Medicaid Planning

Estate planning isn't just for seniors or people with large estates. There are important documents that people of any age and income should have in case of emergency and for the sake of their loved ones peace of mind. Even if you think you don't need a Last Will and Testament, it's a good idea to have a medical directive and a medical power of attorney.

Any time you experience a major life change you should look again at your estate plan to ensure it still reflects your wishes. After a divorce you will almost always need to make changes. Few people want an ex-spouse to make end of life decisions for them or to inherit all of their possessions.

If you'll be leaving the country for a period of time, you may want to give someone financial power of attorney to handle business affairs in your absence.

Estate planning attorney at The Family and Consumer Law Center, Christopher Lefebvre, P.C., can help you prepare estate planning documents at an affordable price. Call us at 401-728-6060 (toll-free at 800-851-1829) or contact us online to schedule a visit.

• A Will: A will is a straightforward, cost-effective way to communicate who should receive your assets after your death. You can use a will to name guardians for your children and leave instructions for your funeral and other matters you'd like your family to understand.

• A Living Trust: More expensive than a simple Will, a living trust distributes your assets after death without your estate having to go through probate, which can be time consuming and costly.
• Quitclaim Deed: A Quitclaim Deed can be used to transfer real estate.
• Power of Attorney: A Power of Attorney is an essential tool to avoid emotionally and financially costly court battles should you or a family member become incapacitated. A Power of Attorney must be done while a person is still competent to make decisions. If a family member is suffering from dementia and did not have a Power of Attorney in place, it is too late to create one. A Power of Attorney gives a person of your choice the ability to make decisions for you, to handle your financial affairs and to pay your bills. You can craft a time-limited Power of Attorney or a Power of Attorney to execute only one specific task.
• Medical Power of Attorney: Also called a healthcare proxy, this document specifies who can make healthcare decisions for you. It's wise to name a back-up person as well, should the first party be unavailable. You'll also need a HIPPA document to give that person access to your medical records and doctor.

Estate planning is practical and can be done quickly and cost-effectively, when done early. Don't wait until there's an emergency. Stop in for a visit. We work with clients in Rhode Island and southern Massachusetts. Estate lawyers at our firm are waiting to help. Email our Pawtucket or Providence law office or call 401-728-6060 (toll-free at 800-851-1829).