Estate Planning

Guntersville, Alabama Estate Planning Lawyer

Wills ● Probate ● Power of Attorney ● Living Will

Estate planning is more than just wills - there are many options available to individuals who wish to plan for the future. At the Scheinert Law Firm, I help clients in the Guntersville area with a variety of estate planning options, including:

• Wills
• Trusts
• Living trusts
• Powers of attorney
• Medical powers of attorney
• Living wills

To find out how estate planning can benefit you and your family, please contact me for a free consultation. Call my office at (256) 582-4880, or contact me online to find out more.

Estate Planning FAQs

As an estate planning lawyer, I meet clients with a variety of questions and concerns. My goal is to answer all of their questions and help them come up with ways to meet their estate planning goals. Some of the questions I get asked are:

What is a valid will and why do I need one?

In a will, an individual states how he or she wants his or her property and estate planning matters handled following death. A will can address topics including:

• Property division
• Beneficiaries
• Gifts to charities
• Care of children, if under 18

A will is invalid if it is not signed or does not comply with certain state laws. I can help you determine the validity of your will, draft an original will or revise an existing one.

What is probate, and when does it occur?

Probate is the legal process that occurs after a death, in which property and other assets are inventoried and distributed as designated by the will. If there is no will, then assets and property are inventoried and distributed according to Alabama's intestate laws.

What are the basic steps of the probate process?

There are three basic steps involved in probate:

• Assets are inventoried and appraised
• The deceased's remaining bills, debts, and taxes are paid
• Property is distributed to beneficiaries as stated in the will

What is a trust and why do I need one?

A trust is a legal instrument capable of holding property. Many people choose a trust to avoid the process of probate following death. I can explain the advantages of a trust, and help you determine the best way to execute one.

If you have questions about estate planning, I would be happy to answer them in a free consultation. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to estate planning. I will work with you to develop an estate plan that helps you meet your unique goals.

Useful Links

The following are some useful links to additional Alabama estate planning resources:

Probate offices:

• Marshall County Probate Office
• Madison County Probate Office
• Jackson County Probate Office
• Etowah County Probate Office
• Cullman County Probate Office

Contact Me

To find out how estate planning can help you prepare for the future, contact me for a free consultation. You can call my office at (256) 582-4880, or complete the online contact form.

My office hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with additional hours by appointment.

I frequently collaborate with other attorneys in the North Alabama area. If there is a chance to improve the quality of service I provide to you by consulting another area attorney, I won't hesitate to do so. Whatever your unique needs, we will work together to find a way to meet them.