Niagara Falls Estate Planning

Find the right Wills & Trusts attorney in Niagara Falls, NY

"Estate planning" in Niagara Falls refers to the decisions a person makes regarding what is to be done with their assets after their death, and the process of implementing those wishes.

If you want to start the process of planning your estate, you've made a good choice, especially if you care about what happens to your survivors after you're gone. You should be careful, however, and make sure you have the help of a legal and financial expert every step of the way. This will likely prove quite helpful in the long run, avoiding a lot of problems in the future.

In addition to post-death decisions, estate planning also concerns matters that might affect you during your life, such as granting power of attorney to a family member or trusted friend in case you become unable to make your own decisions regarding your finances or medical care. Moreover, effective estate planning can minimize the impact that estate taxes and court fees will have on your final disposition to your loved ones.

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 Niagara Falls attorney will be able to make sure that, where it is allowed, it is done.

Common Features of Niagara Falls Estates

Will: This is the centerpiece of most estate plans. A will is a document written by a person (the "testator"), typically with the help of a lawyer, which says what is to be done with their property after they die. Most provisions in a will are legally binding, to the extent that ownership of the property legally passes to the named beneficiary. However, a will cannot compel a person to do anything against their wishes (though it can certainly state your preferences on the matter, phrasing them as requests).

Living Will: Living wills are also very crucial for most people. Basically, a living will tells everyone concerned (your next of kin, and your doctor) what type of medical care you want if you become incapacitated. It normally includes the circumstances under which a person wishes to be kept on life support, when they want to be taken off of life support, and, sometimes, instructions on when medical staff should and should not attempt resuscitation.

Power of Attorney: Power of attorney allows you to grant someone else (typically a trusted family member or friend) the power to make certain decisions in your place, with the same legal effect as if you had made them yourself, in the event that you become unable to do so (typically due to mental or physical incapacity). If you decide to give someone power of attorney, you should make your wishes known to them in advance, so they are more likely to make the same decisions that you would make, if you were able to. And, of course, you should only give this authority to someone with whom you would trust your life because that is, in some cases, just what you're doing.

Funeral Arrangements: Whatever your preference on this matter (if you have a preference) you should make it known to your family both verbally and in writing. If you have very specific wishes concerning the final disposition of your mortal remains, you should not put those instructions in your will. Or, if you do, you should also put them somewhere else. Wills are normally not read for quite some time after a person dies, and the funeral is typically long over by then, so it will be too late to follow your instructions.

Do I Need a Niagara Falls Estates Lawyer?

A knowledgeable lawyer in Niagara Falls can make the process of estate planning as straightforward as it possibly can be. He or she can help ensure that your wishes are given effect, and minimize the chances of disputes between your survivors.

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

Life in Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls, New York is a city in Niagara County. It is named for the famed waterfall on the Niagara River, where the town is located. It is right across the river from the city of Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. Both cities are named for the falls, and form an international metropolitan area. Niagara Falls has a population of about 55,000 people.

The economy of Niagara Falls is largely driven by tourism. Also, the falls provide more than enough hydroelectric power to power the town, giving it a cheap and effectively unlimited energy source. This led to the growth of industry in the town's early days. Modernly, however, tourism (with the falls being a major attraction for visitors from around the world) is the driving force of the local economy. However, this has not been enough to create real prosperity, since the departure of heavy industry. Over the last 40 years, Niagara Falls, New York has experienced severe economic hardship. However, there have been signs of improvement in recent years, and city officials and businesses are working very hard to ensure that this forward momentum continues.

If you live in Niagara Falls, New York, and need a lawyer, chances are good that you can find one. Niagara Falls, New York lawyers are able to handle just about any case that can be thrown at them.

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