Estate Planning Attorney Serving Green Bay, Wisconsin 

The peace of mind that comes from appropriate estate planning is priceless. Unfortunately, not everyone knows how important estate planning is until it is too late. So, take the first steps towards being prepared, and reach out to our attorney Jim Lewis. We proudly serve Green Bay, Wisconsin, and neighboring areas, including Brown County, Oconto County, Shawano County, Kewaunee County, and Door County. Protect your loved ones. 

What Is Estate Planning? 

Estate planning consists of the preparation of written instructions that tell your loved ones what to do in the event of your death or severe illness. Estate planning is about more than who gets what. It involves powers of attorney, advanced health directives and establishing funeral plans and burial instructions.

Two of the most common documents used in estate planning are a will and a trust. These documents help protect loved ones by ensuring they get the support they needed after when someone passes on.

Why Is Estate Planning Important? 

Estate planning is crucial for the following reasons: 

• Everyone needs an estate plan regardless of age, health condition, or financial status. Making these arrangements provides peace of mind and the knowledge that your loved ones have been protected. 

• Probate is when the court decides who gets what. Probate can be a costly and lengthy process. Meanwhile, your beneficiaries may be in a tough financial situation following your passing. An estate plan greatly reduces or eliminates the need for a lengthy probate process. 

What Documents Are Included in an Estate Plan? 

The following documentation is typically included in an estate plan: 

• A will. Drafting a will consists of writing down our last wishes and instructions for the distribution of our assets or guardianship of minor children. A will ensures you protect those who need it most. A will is a public document and must go through probate. Please note that estates valued under $50,000 do not need probate. 

• A trust. Establishing a trust is similar to drafting a will. The difference is that a trust is a private document, so it is not subject to probate. In a trust, beneficiaries get access to property after certain conditions have been met. A common condition is receiving property after turning a certain age.  

• A power of attorney. Choosing a power of attorney can complement a will or trust. In this document, the named person retains the legal authority to oversee the estate following a person’s passing or make end-of-life decisions. Additionally, a power of attorney gives the named individual the right to make decisions in case of temporary or permanent incapacitation.  

Please note that a smooth probate process (especially if there is a will) can take as little as six to nine months in Wisconsin. However, a complicated probate process can take two years or more, depending on the specific situation.  

How Can an Estate Planning Attorney Help? 

An estate planning attorney can help bring peace of mind for a variety of reasons: 

• Working with an estate planning attorney helps folks find the right solution for individual needs. After all, there is no one-size-fits-all plan. The right legal counsel helps establish the right plan for individual needs. 

• While it may be tempting to use online will-writing tools, these wills can be easily contested in probate. Working with an estate planning attorney helps build an enforceable document that ensures loved ones are protected. 

• A professional estate planning attorney ensures proper trust administration. They can support the named executor every step of the way.  

• Enlisting an experienced estate planning attorney is crucial to help navigate the waters of potentially complicated probate proceedings.