Arkansas
Lonoke County
Estate Planning Attorneys
in Lonoke County, AR
Proudly Providing Legal Aid to Clients Interested in Estate Law Services
Estate planning is the legal process by which individuals and families can make end-of-life decisions, plan for estate taxes, protect their assets from creditors or lawsuits, and make things easier for surviving family members after death. Estate plans also deal with other areas of the law, and your estate plan may need to be updated after certain family law legal matters such as marriage, divorce, child custody, or other legal issues. Additionally, personal injury law can relate to estate plans, as your estate plan could provide clear instructions to your family members and loved ones for what to do if you are ever left incapacitated due to an illness or injury.
At our Lonoke County estate planning law firm, we believe that it is essential for all adults to have an estate plan of some sort. None of us know what’s beyond the next corner or how long we have left on this planet. Tragedy may befall us at any time, and you want an estate plan to protect your interests and provide for your loved ones. While there are do-it-yourself methods for estate planning online, we strongly recommend that you work with knowledgeable lawyers familiar with estate law in your area when creating or revising your estate plan.
The attorneys of Ethos Law have been practicing law for decades and are proud to provide compassionate legal services to clients in need in Lonoke County, Pulaski County,White County and all across Central Arkansas. From our Little Rock, AR, law office and our Searcy, AR law office, we proudly serve clients going through probate, estate planning, and other legal systems.
To learn more about how an estate planning lawyer could assist you through probate court, business succession planning, estate administration, trust funding, and more, please contact our Lonoke County law firm to schedule your free consultation today.
What Estate Planning Services Does Our Law Firm Provide?
When you begin estate planning, you want to work with a legal professional with a law degree who is affiliated with the state bar. Our legal team is affiliated with the Arkansas Bar Association and has extensive experience representing clients with a variety of estate planning needs.
Our estate planning services include the following:
- Business succession planning
- Creating and funding trusts including living trusts
- Designating beneficiaries
- Drafting, reviewing, and executing Wills
- Elder Law
- Estate litigation
- Estate tax planning
- Long-term care and Medicaid planning
- Probate court representation and administration
- The drafting of an advanced health care directive
- Trust administration
- Writing and executing powers of attorney documents
- And much more!
Whatever your estate planning concerns, our legal staff would be proud to assist you in pursuing the most optimal outcome for your case. At our law firm, we understand that, for you, the client, this is no mere legal matter; this is your life. We approach each case with compassion and respect, and we are proud members of the Arkansas community who want to do right by our neighbors.
What is the Probate Process in Lonoke County, Arkansas?
When a person dies, their estate goes through the probate process. In probate court, the executor of the estate must validate the last will and testament (if such a will exists), pay estate taxes, notify creditors, settle debts, and then distribute estate assets to designated beneficiaries. Once all of this is completed, the estate executor must close the estate.
The probate process can be long, complicated, and costly, especially when there is no will. When an individual passes away without a will, this is known as dying intestate. In such cases, the state government will determine how estate assets are distributed and which heirs shall inherit what.
To simplify probate matters, it is recommended that you create an estate plan that takes these concerns into consideration. On top of that, we recommend working with an experienced probate attorney for legal guidance. Our lawyers have extensive experience representing clients in probate legal matters and would be proud to represent your interests throughout the probate process.
Should You Create a Trust in Addition to a Will?
Trusts are fiduciary arrangements wherein the trust creator (grantor) can put assets and property into a trust for the benefit of designated beneficiaries. The trust would then be controlled by a trustee, who is usually a knowledgeable and trustworthy individual close to the family. In some cases, the trust creator could be the trustee themselves.
Trusts are not necessary for every estate plan. However, there are many benefits to creating a trust, such as protecting assets from creditors and potentially avoiding probate. Whether or not your estate plan needs both a will and a trust (as well as other legal documents) will depend on your specific needs and goals.
Contact our Lonoke County law office to schedule your free initial consultation with our legal team today. In your free, no-obligation case evaluation, we will discuss your specific estate planning goals and help you determine what types of estate planning tools are necessary for your personal plan.
When Should Wills Be Reviewed or Updated in Arkansas?
Major life changes are the primary reasons to consider reviewing and revising a last will and testament. Examples of life changes that may be a good reason to review your will include marriage, remarriage, divorce, the birth of a child, moving out of state, the start of a business, and the death of a beneficiary. Regardless of these life changes, we recommend that our clients consider reviewing their estate plan documents every year.
Do You Need to Hire an AR Estate Planning Attorney?
While Arkansas law does not require that you retain professional legal counsel when drafting or executing an estate plan, it is nonetheless highly recommended that you do so. Our law firm provides knowledgeable and compassionate legal assistance to clients in need across the Central Arkansas area. To learn more about how our legal team may be of assistance to you during this challenging legal matter, please contact us to schedule your free initial consultation today.
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