Estate Plans: Where Care Meets Planning.

Estate planning can often be an intimidating process for people to go through, and nothing helps more than having someone experienced to walk you through it. Often there are beneficial tools or ways to reduce taxes that only become clear when discussing your plans as a whole! At Ruth P. George Law PLLC, we simplify and customize your estate plan based on your goals, loved ones, finances, and life stage. We also plan to periodically review your plan to ensure it stays up to date and relevant with any life changes. Give us a call today or schedule a consultation at our Williamsville office to ask any estate planning questions you might have.

Estate Planning is a Process

Estate planning is not always a quick process, and often it is an ongoing one (which is a great thing!) We love taking the time to get to know you and your specific situation so that the plan we make, the documents we use, and the tools we take advantage of are the correct ones. Make sure to check out our Estate Planning 101 Document that you can find in the Resources section of our website, as this is a great guide to getting started! It includes many of the things to start thinking about as you venture into planning your estate, and can be a great place to work from as we continue to define your plan. Got questions before you get started? Give us a call or Contact Us through our website - We are happy to answer any questions you have!

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What Steps are Involved in Estate Planning?

Estate planning can include many different documents and components, but you don't need to walk through it alone. Here is a guide to the basic concepts of any estate plan, which we customize to you based on your goals and specific situation.

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Assets & Liabilities

Every estate plan begins by taking a detailed inventory of all assets, including business interests, real estate, investment accounts, life insurance, and more. We also inventory any debts, mortgages, and liabilities.

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Goals & Priorities

Clearly defined goals are what guide the most thorough estate plans. What do you want to achieve through your estate plan? Your legacy and your hopes for caring for yourself, your family and loved ones is what guides us through this process.

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Choose Agents & Beneficiaries

Who would you like to act on your behalf during your life to take care of your financial and health care matters if you need help? What powers will they have? Who would you like to receive your assets at the time of your death? We make sure that your estate plan clearly designates the right agents and beneficiaries.

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Consider Taxes

Taxes can often be an unfortunate surprise, and we can help you proactively plan for every scenario. No one wants their life's legacy to go to the Federal and/or State government in the form of taxes. No one wants this kind of surprise, which is why we educate you on potential tax implications and work with accountants for helpful teamwork!

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Choose an Executor

Who do you want to act on your behalf when it comes to your will? We work with you to identify and nominate your executor and alternates, as well as factoring in other fiduciaries like guardians for minor children and trustees for any trusts in your will.

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Consider a Lifetime Trust

Lifetime trusts are living breathing documents that can grow with you, unlike a will. There are many benefits to setting up a lifetime trust, and it can be a valuable tool in the estate planning process, depending on your unique needs.

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Create Documents

We consider your need for other potential documents, such as a power of attorney, health care proxy, living will and other documents. We can also help you appoint someone to handle your financial matters, handle medical decisions on your behalf, and much more.

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Update Accounts

We walk you through assigning the proper beneficiaries to all of your accounts to make sure that these are in line with your estate plan. These can include bank accounts, investments, and other financial accounts. If you have a lifetime trust, this also can be used for beneficiary designations.

Review & Update Your Estate Plan Regularly.

Creating an estate plan is the first step, keeping it up to date is something that we will do together over time. We schedule regular check-ins with you to review your plan, determine if anything in your life has changed, and if that could mean your estate plan should also change. To put things simply, we are here for you to get your questions answered, discuss different scenarios and life situations, and think strategically when it comes to your own wellbeing and legacy and how you plan to handle it.

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Your Estate Planning Questions, Answered.

  • What is a trust?

    A trust is a legal arrangement between you, a trustee who holds your assets, and beneficiaries. It is a beneficial way to manage property during life, and can act as a will substitute at the time of your death. Only assets that are in a trust can be handled in this manner. Beneficiaries can greatly benefit through this proactive estate planning technique. During the estate planning process, we work with you to determine what assets and which beneficiaries may benefit most from a trust, and help you put a specific plan in place.

  • What is an estate plan?

    An estate plan is the complete arrangement of how you are taking care of yourself during life, and what should happen upon your passing. This encompasses much more than what people often think! There are a whole range of factors to assess, and to plan for so that you and your loved ones can live the best lives possible.

  • I don't have a ton of money. Do I still need an estate plan?

    OF COURSE! An estate plan involves so much more than just your assets - It involves health care decisions, your wellbeing, and even simple tasks like paying your bills. Assets also grow over time, and therefore no matter where your assets stand now, it is still important to have an estate plan in place to offer clarity to your loved ones no matter the size of your estate. Minor children, pets, and even personal property must be carefully thought of. It's about creating a smooth transition for your family after your death.

  • What happens to my kids when I die?

    This ultimately depends on the situation, however, when minor kids are involved it is always appropriate to be proactive with planning. This can mean nominating standby guardians, and guardians in your will. This is so important to consider and plan for with your estate planning attorney! We believe that ensuring our children are left in the most caring and loving environment possible, and not always who a judge would appoint, is one of the best gifts that someone can give when they pass away.

  • I have some debt. Do I need to even worry about an estate plan?

    Yes!!! We always advise doing what you can to get out of debt, and working with professionals can be so helpful in doing so. Part of your planning will involve short term and long term goals, and this can help you prepare better for the future. Additionally, you definitely still want to name the right person to act as your power of attorney and your executor to handle debts and financial matters as appropriate. Your planning can also encompass ways to minimize the affect of potential future creditors. If you have debt, we should plan!

  • Do I have to work with an attorney to create an estate plan?

    No, you don't. You also don't need an attorney to buy or sell a house in some states, you don't need to work with a financial advisor to invest in the stock market. Whether or not those are wise decisions, however, is a completely different matter. Obviously we are big fans of getting your plan with an attorney knowledgable in the legal issues that come up and specifically strategizes how to minimize that for you. We know the process inside and out and are able to pass that experience along to make everything easier and smoother for you and your loved ones!

  • Does estate tax apply to me?

    For the vast majority of New Yorkers, this will not be a concern. However, we are able to help those in this category. There are incredible, creative estate planning vehicles that can (AND SHOULD) be used to avoid federal and state estate taxes. Instead of seeing assets go to pay estate taxes, there is planning that can be done, including charitable planning. Work with your estate planning attorney to determine if this tax applies to you, and how you should effectively plan.

  • Where do you offer estate planning services?

    As a New York State attorney, Ruth P. George offers legal services and consultations for New York State matters.  Estate planning matters are typically handled in certain surrounding areas and counties within New York State.  We will be meeting in person for different appointments, including the consultation and the signing appointments.

Check out the Latest News from the Desk of Ruth P. George

image of a woman creating her estate plan. Click on this image to read this news post!

Estate Planning 101: Every New Yorker needs a Plan

By Ruth P. George • 12 Oct, 2024
What is Estate Planning anyways? We're so glad you asked! Creating a thoughtful and effective estate plan has some moving parts, but we're here to simplify them for you.
Image of woman holding her face in her hands in frustration, click image to read blog post

Our Top 5 Estate Planning Mistakes to Avoid

By Ruth P. George • 09 Oct, 2024
Getting started on writing your will or creating an estate plan? These are the top 5 mistakes that we see coming across our desk! Avoiding these will give you more peace of mind and save you time and money in the long run in your estate planning journey.
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Welcome to the Desk of Ruth P. George!

By Ruth P. George • 08 Oct, 2024
Welcome to News from the Desk of Ruth P. George! We look forward to keeping you up to date on developments in the estate planning and probate world, as well as offering our insight into estate planning, creating wills, trusts, and other legal documents during the estate planning process, and much more!

Have a Question? Just Ask!

Estate planning and probate can be tricky, and it can be tough figuring out where to start. That's why we're happy to answer any of your questions to help guide you on your journey. Feel free to send us a message through our secure form and we will get in touch with you as soon as possible!

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