Estates and Probate Services

Common estate planning tools include wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advance healthcare directives, and beneficiary designations. Essential components of estate planning also involve considerations for guardianship and conservatorship to ensure that your wishes are clearly expressed. The primary goal of estate planning is to minimize confusion or conflict among family members, reduce legal costs and delays, such as those associated with probate services, and provide peace of mind that your affairs are in order.

Legal guardianship is a court-ordered arrangement in which the guardian is granted the legal authority and responsibility to care for another person (the ward) who is unable to fully care for themselves. This arrangement can also be related to conservatorship, where decisions about personal, medical, educational, and sometimes financial matters are made. Proper estate planning often includes considerations for guardianship and the need for probate services to ensure that the ward's interests are protected.

Conservatorships primarily focus on financial and property management, including paying bills, managing investments, and protecting assets. In the context of estate planning, some conservatorships may also grant authority over personal decisions, similar to guardianship arrangements. Additionally, individuals may seek probate services to navigate the complexities of these legal responsibilities.