Estate Planning and Probate

Attorneys

Estate Planning

For many people, estate planning is a difficult and emotional subject to consider. It's easy to put off until it's too late. At Davern McLeod & Nostdahl we understand this and strive to take anxiety out of the process. We encourage our clients to look at estate planning as an opportunity. With proper planning, you can have confidence that your wishes will be followed with regard to medical and financial matters surrounding end of life decisions and that the assets you leave behind will be secure.

Estate Planning is as complex and varied as the people it serves. At Davern McLeod & Nostdahl we implement a multi-dimensional approach tailored to achieving your personal goals. Our clients rely on us to guide them in establishing a plan to manage their healthcare, their property, and their decision-making authority as their lives change and their priorities evolve. We help clients understand their options in estate planning based upon their particular circumstances.

For elderly clients, peace of mind can be found in knowing that the estate you've worked so hard to build will be protected and that your assets will be passed on according to your wishes. By properly documenting your wishes, you can ensure that your loved ones will be spared the unnecessary expense and confusion of sorting out your estate at a difficult and emotional time. For many people, a good estate plan will promote family harmony at a time when family disputes could easily arise.

For young families, estate planning may be the farthest thing from your mind. Nevertheless, it is essential to your family's future security that you create a plan for the worst case scenario. With proper planning, you can be assured that your children will be cared for by the guardians you designate and that they will be provided for in the event of unexpected tragedy.

Even if you already have a will and an estate plan, it is important to review your plan as your circumstances evolve and the laws change. Whether you are married or single, with young children, adult children or no children at all, working or retired, an up-to-date estate plan provides peace of mind throughout your life.

If you have any questions about how to get started, contact the experienced estate planning attorneys at Davern McLeod & Nostdahl. We can provide you with a full range of estate planning services, including preparation of the following:

• Wills
• Trusts
• Powers of Attorney
• Healthcare Directives and Living Wills
• Estate and Gift Tax Planning
• Business Succession Planning
• Trust Administration

Probate

When a person passes away, their loved ones are often left the responsibility of administering their estate and ensuring that their property is appropriately distributed. Estate administration or probate can be a confusing and burdensome process, often undertaken at a difficult and emotional time.

At Davern McLeod & Nostdahl we assist clients in administering the estates of loved ones who have passed away. We help executors, administrators, personal representatives, and others who have been given the responsibility of administering an estate to identify assets, pay the proper claims in the proper order, pay estate and fiduciary taxes, and navigate court proceedings. We will work with you to ensure that all duties have been fulfilled and will represent you in any challenges from beneficiaries, creditors or other concerned parties. Our experience allows us to provide effective and efficient services in probate and non-probate estate administration.