Estate planning allows you to protect your assets, provide for loved ones, and ensure your wishes are honored when you’re no longer able to make decisions yourself. In Brunswick, preparing an estate plan means working with an Estate planning lawyer in Brunswick who knows Georgia law and can help you navigate the complexities of wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. Without proper planning, your estate may be subject to lengthy probate proceedings, family disputes, and distribution methods that don’t align with your intentions.
At Taylor Odachowski Schmidt & Crossland, LLC (TOSC), we approach estate planning with decades of combined experience, transparency, and a commitment to creating solutions tailored to your unique situation. We guide individuals and families through every aspect of estate planning, from drafting essential documents to implementing strategies that minimize tax burdens and avoid probate complications. Our personal injury lawyers takes pride in fostering personal relationships with clients while delivering the innovative legal solutions you need to secure your future and protect what matters most.
Why Estate Planning Matters in Georgia
Estate planning is more than just creating a will. It’s about making sure your property, assets, and healthcare preferences are handled according to your wishes. Without a proper plan in place, Georgia law determines how your estate is distributed, which may not align with what you intended. This can lead to family disputes, unnecessary taxes, and lengthy probate proceedings that burden your loved ones during an already difficult time.
A comprehensive estate plan addresses several critical areas. Your last will and testament transfers property and assets to the people or organizations you choose, and names a personal representative and a guardian for minor children. A Georgia Advance Directive for Healthcare lets you appoint individual(s) to make medical decisions if you’re unable to provide informed consent, and it allows you to communicate your end-of-life and after-life wishes. A statutory (durable) power of attorney designates person(s) to handle financial matters and act on your behalf if you become incapacitated.
Depending on your circumstances, additional planning tools may help you manage property and plan for taxes. A living trust creates a mechanism to manage your property during your lifetime and after your passing. For families with significant assets or complex financial situations, a family limited partnership may be appropriate. This structure is used to manage property, similar to a trust, but also allows for additional tax planning opportunities.
Essential Estate Planning Documents
Most estate plans include several key documents, each serving a specific purpose. Understanding these tools helps you make informed decisions about which ones are right for your situation.
Last Will and Testament
This transfers your property and assets to the people or organizations of your choosing. The last will and testament will also name your personal representative and guardian if you have minor children.
Georgia Advance Directive for Healthcare
This allows you to state your healthcare, end-of-life, and afterlife wishes in one place. As such, you can appoint individual(s) of your choosing to make decisions about your healthcare if you are unable to provide informed consent, inform healthcare providers of your wishes regarding your care if you are permanently incapacitated, and instruct the designated person(s) of your wishes following your passing.
Living Trust
This creates a mechanism to manage your property during your lifetime and after your death. Unlike assets held in a will, assets held in a trust avoid probate, which can save time and reduce costs.
Family Limited Partnership
This is used to manage your property, similar to a trust, but it also allows for additional tax planning opportunities that may benefit families with substantial assets.
Statutory (Durable) Power of Attorney
This designates the person(s) of your choosing to handle your financial matters and act on your behalf if you are unable to do so.
Power of Attorney
The intended effect and scope of a POA depend on its purpose. In other words, no single POA will address all situations.
Estate planning documents must comply with Georgia law to be valid and enforceable. Working with an experienced Estate planning attorney in Brunswick ensures your documents are properly drafted, executed, and tailored to your specific needs.
The Estate Planning Process in Brunswick
Creating an estate plan starts with understanding your goals and concerns. We begin by discussing your assets, family situation, and your goals. From there, we recommend the documents and strategies that best fit your circumstances. Some clients need only a will and basic healthcare directive, while others benefit from trusts, tax planning, or business succession strategies.
Once we identify the right approach, we draft the necessary documents with careful attention to Georgia law and your specific wishes. We explain each document’s purpose and how it fits into your overall plan. After you review and approve the drafts, we finalize the documents and ensure they’re properly executed. Georgia requires certain formalities for estate planning documents to be valid, and we make sure every detail is handled correctly.
Estate planning is not a one-time event. Life changes such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or the acquisition of significant assets may require updates to your plan. We encourage clients to review their estate plan periodically to ensure it continues to reflect their wishes and complies with current laws. Regular reviews help identify gaps in your plan and allow you to adjust your strategies as your circumstances evolve.
Probate and Estate Administration
When someone passes away, their estate typically goes through probate, a court-supervised process for distributing assets and settling debts. Probate can be time-consuming and costly, which is why many people incorporate strategies to minimize or avoid it. Trusts are one common method for keeping assets out of probate, allowing for a smoother transition to beneficiaries.
Our firm assists with probate matters throughout Brunswick and the surrounding areas. We guide personal representatives through the administration process, help resolve disputes among beneficiaries, and ensure that estates are settled in accordance with Georgia law. Whether you’re planning ahead to simplify probate for your loved ones or need assistance administering an estate, we provide the guidance and support you need.
Protect Your Legacy With TOSC
Taylor Odachowski Schmidt & Crossland, LLC is a full-service Martindale-Hubbell AV-rated law firm with strategically located offices across Georgia. Our distinguished team of Estate planning lawyers boasts over 350 years of combined experience in various practice areas, meaning there are few scenarios our team hasn’t seen and navigated successfully. We have been in the same location next to the St. Simons Island Lighthouse for decades, taking pride in serving and guiding thousands of clients through legal challenges and crafting solutions tailored to their unique needs.
Whether you need a straightforward will or a comprehensive estate plan with trusts and tax strategies, we deliver the personalized attention and legal excellence you deserve. We also handle matters related to real estate and business law, allowing us to address the full scope of your planning needs. If you’re ready to create or update your estate plan and secure your family’s future, contact us today to schedule a consultation with our experienced team.
