Estate Planning

Developing and implementing comprehensive estate plans for individuals and families to carry out your wishes.

The estate planning attorneys at KDDK are well-versed in the planning techniques to assist families and business owners in the successful transfer of wealth, while considering the impact of estate taxes and retirement benefit law changes. Estate plans may also need to address sensitive family issues by considering the impact of an inheritance on children with medical needs or other impairments which require protection for the child.  We utilize various estate planning documents to direct the organization, administration and disposition of estates, including wills, testamentary trusts for minors, special needs or disability trusts, revocable trusts, generation skipping trusts, irrevocable trusts, and transfer-on-death (TOD) transfers.  By working closely with a client’s investment advisors, accountants, insurance agents and trust officers, we provide more closely tailored and comprehensive planning.  We offer complex planning for business owners and for clients facing the imposition of federal estate and gift taxes on their estates.

Designating decision-makers in advance of incapacity can accomplish a seamless transition of care during the aging process and avoid court-imposed guardianship.

Our team of estate planning attorneys ensure that the critical step of designating decision-makers is not overlooked in the estate planning process.  As people’s life spans continue to grow longer due to rapid scientific and technological innovation, it has become a necessity to plan for the possibility of becoming incapacitated so that a trusted family member or friend is empowered to make decisions regarding everyday living arrangements, health care and legal matters when you are no longer able to do so.  We assist in providing the following documents:

  • A durable power of attorney for the management of financial affairs
  • The designation of a health care proxy to make medical decisions
  • A Living Will or Life Prolonging Procedures Declaration to properly document one’s wishes with regard to life support issues

If the unthinkable should happen, and these documents have not been implemented, we can assist in obtaining a guardianship for an incapacitated family member.