Smyrna Estate Planning

Find the right Wills & Trusts attorney in Smyrna, GA

In Smyrna, estate planning refers to the process of deciding what should be done with one's assets after their death.

The problems that estate planning raises are sometimes very complicated. Without competent legal and financial advice, many problems can pop up, which can easily throw your entire plan into disarray, and cost your survivors a great deal of time, energy, and money.

Estate planning can have many positive effects on the planner during life, as well. These benefits are typically somewhat intangible, revolving around the peace of mind that comes with knowing that, after your death, you family will be taken care of and that they'll know what your last wishes are. Nonetheless, most people find this very valuable. To that end, you should come up with a power-of-attorney agreement. When you grant someone power of attorney, you have given them the power to make specific decisions on your behalf. You can grant them as much or as little authority as you want. Most people, however, give family members or life partners power of attorney with respect to medical care, so if they become incapacitated, their wishes will still be carried out.

If you want to maximize the odds that your wishes will be followed after your death, you should do everything you can to make them legally binding. While this is not always possible, a Smyrna attorney will be able to make sure that, where it is possible, it is done.

Common Features of Smyrna Estates

Will: This is typically a major component in any estate plan. A will is a document in which a person lays out what they want done with their property after their death. These gifts typically have the effect of transferring legal ownership of the property to the named beneficiary.

Living Will: This is a document which lays out instructions for your medical care, should you become so sick or badly hurt that you are unable to express your wishes. It should state under what cases you want to remain on life support. A well-drafted living will can prevent you from being kept alive in a permanent vegetative state (if that is not what you want), while ensuring that you receive medical care as long as you have a chance at recovery.

Power of Attorney: Power of attorney, while important, is not to be used lightly. This is because it involves granting someone else the power to make legally-binding decisions on your behalf. Typically, your spouse will automatically have power of attorney if you become incapacitated. If you are not married, however, you need to make a document explicitly granting that authority to someone you trust (a life partner or close family member, for instance).

Funeral Arrangements: Some people, for religious and other reasons, have very specific wishes concerning the disposal of their remains after they die. Some want to be buried. Others, cremated. No matter what your preferences on this matter are, it's important that you inform your family of them far in advance. These instructions should be included in a document that is likely to be read before your death (such as a living will), or very shortly thereafter. This excludes a will, because it's frequently weeks after a person dies until their will is read.

Do I Need a Smyrna Estates Lawyer?

A knowledgeable estates lawyer in Smyrna can make the estate planning process much easier. He or she can maximize the chances of your wishes being given effect. Moreover, a good and clear estate plan is far less likely to result in litigation in the future, since disputes of this nature are almost always the result of ambiguity.

Talk to a Wills, Trusts & Estates Law Attorney now!

Life in Smyrna

Located just 10 miles from the state capital of Atlanta, Smyrna Georgia is a city with lots of Southern charm. Smyrna was incorporated in 1872 and is appropriately nicknamed, "Jonquil City" for the many jonquils that bloom naturally in the city's parks and streets during the spring blossom.

Smyrna has a population of 47,000 residents. Smyrna has over 304 acres of parks and open spaces within the city's 15 square miles-- a fact that promotes its residents outdoor activity. The Village Green is the hub of the city and is the "common area" of Smyrna housing the library, civic center, and community center.

The Market Village is an expansive downtown development in the city that has retail, restaurants, and housing for many of Smyrna residents to enjoy. Smyrna is also a popular sport for Atlanta workers to live in and enjoy the perks and space of a suburb. Smyrna is just a fifteen minute drive to downtown Atlanta.

Smyrna has many lawyers that help contribute to the growth and development of the city. Lawyers with a range of specialties to help their fellow citizens with any issue they may find themselves dealing with. Smyrna lawyers are in good company with local doctors, accountants, and other professionals creating a great professional community.

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