Estate Planning

The estate planning attorneys at Thrift McLemore have extensive experience working with people of all ages and estates of all sizes.

We offer comprehensive guidance on estate planning tools, including Georgia Last Wills and Testaments, Georgia Revocable Living Trusts, Georgia Health Care Powers of Attorney, Georgia Living Wills, Georgia Powers of Attorney, Georgia Special Needs Trusts, Georgia Pet Trusts, and Georgia Inheritance Trusts. No matter what you need, we’re here to walk you through the process.

Every estate plan we create is tailored to the client’s unique family dynamics, goals, and assets. Whether you want to keep things simple for your loved ones or need advanced distribution and tax planning strategies, we use our deep knowledge of current laws and legal best practices to design a plan that works for you.

If you’re starting an estate plan for the first time or updating an existing one, we’re ready to help.

Estate Planning Essentials

If you don’t have an estate plan, Georgia law creates one for you. The following estate planning tools allow you to stay in control of and protect what you care about most:

Last Will and Testament: A Last Will and Testament ensures that your assets pass according to your wishes. It names your chosen beneficiaries, appoints someone to be in charge of settling your estate, and if you have a child or children under the age of 18, it nominates a guardian to care for them if something happens to you and the other parent.

Revocable Living Trust: Similar to a Will, a Revocable Living Trust controls the disposition of your assets upon your death. Unlike a Will, the Revocable Living Trust has the added benefits of protecting you and your assets if you become incapacitated, and it avoids the costs, delays, and publicity of the probate process.

Financial Power of Attorney: This designates someone (called your “agent”) to act on your behalf if and when it is necessary. Your agent may perform any of the powers you give them, but only while you are alive.

Georgia Advance Directive for Health Care: This combines the prior Georgia Power of Attorney for Health Care and Living Will. It allows you to do the following: (1) name someone (called your “agent”) to make health care decisions for you if you cannot make health care decisions for yourself;  (2) express any one of three treatment preferences for end of life care if you have a terminal condition or if you are in a state of permanent unconsciousness;  and (3) nominate a guardian should the need for one arise.

Communication

At Thrift McLemore, we understand how important it is to communicate properly and ensure that everyone is on the same page, especially when it comes to this personal and sensitive practice area.

We take the time to listen to your concerns and provide thoughtful guidance tailored to your needs. We are always available to explain our services and answer questions, from the big-picture issues to the finer details of the plan that might get overlooked.

Protect what you care about most

A proper estate plan protects you, your loved ones, and your assets. When it comes to your family’s time, peace of mind, and wealth, the stakes are far too high to cut corners with your estate plan. Talk to an experienced Georgia estate planning attorney today by calling 678-882-0830.