These core Documents are the foundation of an Estate plan
Will
Trust
Trust
A Will is the legal document that directs who will receive your property after you pass away. In Indiana, to be valid, a Will must be in writing, signed by you, and witnessed by at least two adults.
- What it does for you: A Will lets you choose a personal representative (executor) to manage your estate, name a guardian for your minor child
A Will is the legal document that directs who will receive your property after you pass away. In Indiana, to be valid, a Will must be in writing, signed by you, and witnessed by at least two adults.
- What it does for you: A Will lets you choose a personal representative (executor) to manage your estate, name a guardian for your minor children, and dictate exactly how your assets will be distributed. Without a Will, Indiana law, not your wishes, determines who inherits your property, and this can lead to unintended outcomes and family disputes.
Trust
Trust
Trust
A Trust is a flexible legal arrangement that allows a trustee to hold and manage assets for the benefit of a third party, the beneficiary. Unlike a Will, a Trust can be used to manage your assets during your lifetime and after you pass.
- What it does for you: For Indiana residents, a key benefit of a Trust is that assets held within it typ
A Trust is a flexible legal arrangement that allows a trustee to hold and manage assets for the benefit of a third party, the beneficiary. Unlike a Will, a Trust can be used to manage your assets during your lifetime and after you pass.
- What it does for you: For Indiana residents, a key benefit of a Trust is that assets held within it typically avoid the costly and time-consuming probate process. It offers greater control over your wealth, providing a seamless way to transfer property to heirs and even to manage your assets if you become incapacitated.
Power of Attorney
A Power of Attorney (POA) is a document that grants a trusted individual the authority to act on your behalf. In Indiana, a POA is considered durable unless it specifically states otherwise, meaning it remains valid even if you become incapacitated.
- What it does for you: You can create a financial POA to grant authority over your banking
A Power of Attorney (POA) is a document that grants a trusted individual the authority to act on your behalf. In Indiana, a POA is considered durable unless it specifically states otherwise, meaning it remains valid even if you become incapacitated.
- What it does for you: You can create a financial POA to grant authority over your banking and legal matters. This document ensures that a trusted person can pay your bills, manage your investments, and handle your affairs without court intervention, providing a safeguard for you and your family.
Advance Directive
Also known as Healthcare Directives or Living Wills in Indiana, this document makes your medical wishes known in advance. It takes effect only when you're unable to communicate your decisions yourself.
- What it does for you: An Advance Directive allows you to specify your preferences regarding medical treatments, such as life-prolonging ca
Also known as Healthcare Directives or Living Wills in Indiana, this document makes your medical wishes known in advance. It takes effect only when you're unable to communicate your decisions yourself.
- What it does for you: An Advance Directive allows you to specify your preferences regarding medical treatments, such as life-prolonging care. This not only gives you control over your health but also relieves your family of the emotional burden of making difficult decisions on your behalf, ensuring your wishes are respected.
The estate planning questionnaire
We are dedicated to making the estate planning process as
clear and efficient as possible for you. The first and most important step is to
complete our Confidential Estate Planning Questionnaire.
Why do we ask you to do this?
Your time is valuable, and we want to make the very best use of our initial
meeting. By taking about 30-45 minutes to complete this form, you provide us
with a foundational understanding of your unique situation. This allows us to:
- Be Prepared: We can review your information in advance, so we're ready to discuss specific strategies and options tailored just for you.
- Focus on Solutions: Instead of spending our meeting gathering basic information, we can immediately focus on your goals, concerns, and the legal solutions to achieve them.
- Ensure Accuracy: The questionnaire helps you gather all the necessary details in one place, reducing the chance of overlooking a critical asset or family member.
Why Completing This Questionnaire Matters?
While the document may seem lengthy, completing it in advance of your consultation provides two key benefits:
1. Efficiency – By reviewing your information beforehand, we can focus our meeting on analyzing your situation and discussing your goals, rather than collecting background details.
2. Cost-Effectiveness – Supplying this information in advance reduces the attorney's time needed for information-gathering, which helps lower your overall costs.
What to Expect in the Questionnaire
The form is designed to be straightforward and guides you through gathering information on:
- Your Family: Details about you, your spouse, your children, and other loved ones.
- Your Finances: A high-level overview of your assets (real estate, bank accounts, investments) and liabilities (mortgages, loans).
- Your Wishes: Your initial thoughts on who you would like to appoint as guardians for your children, executors of your estate, and agents for your powers of attorney.
How to Complete the Questionnaire
Don't worry if you don't know the exact answer to every question. The form is a
starting point, and we will clarify any details during our meeting. Please fill out
what you can to the best of your ability.
Once you have completed the questionnaire, please submit it to our office. You
will then be prompted to schedule your initial consultation.
We look forward to meeting with you and helping you create a plan that protects
your legacy and provides peace of mind for you and your family.
If you need help completing the Questionnaire
Email us at info@angelareidbrown.com or call us at 317-406-7655