Wills, Trusts, Estate Plans & Guardianships

Does everyone need a will? No.

– The state does not get your property. Your property, that is in your name only, will be distributed to your heirs by a statute call the “intestate” statute.

– A will does not govern the distribution of property that is jointly owned with someone else or that has a designated beneficiary.

Who needs wills, trusts and estate planning?

– Every person’s situation is different and some people simply do not need any of the above. However, if you have assets, family, a desire to provide for a friend, pet or charity or want to minimize death taxes, then you do need an estate plan.

What is an estate plan?

– It is a term that encompasses the use of wills, trusts, and powers of attorney to handle health care, disability and death issues.

What is probate?

– Probate is to be and can be avoided. It is a court process through which your assets are distributed after your death. Although the probate courts are professional and dedicated, the process is time consuming and costly. It can usually be avoided with some simple estate planning.

What is a guardianship?

– There are several types of guardianships. They all involved the court appointing someone or some institution to be responsible for a person and/or their property who is incapable of handling their own affairs.

At Rubino Ruman we have decades of experience in handling these matters. Our goal is to do so promptly and with sensitivity to the needs of our clients.