Estate Planning And Long Term Care

Helping Brattleboro With Long-Term Care Plans

Making arrangements regarding our children, property and everything we value in life is very important. Who will care for our minor children in the event we pass away unexpectedly? Who will receive our property? What if we become incapacitated and lose the ability to make decisions on our own? Who will be in charge of our affairs or finances?

State law will dictate what happens to our children or property in the event we die intestate (without a will) or become incapacitated. However, it may not coincide with our own specific plans.

Helping You Make Arrangements For The Future

At Costello, Valente & Gentry, P.C., we can create plans that make sure the people and things you value in your life are carried out only the way you want them to. Our attorneys have over 35 years of experience assisting individuals in Brattleboro, Vermont, and surrounding areas with long-term care planning and other legal needs.

We often create:

  • Wills, or legal documents that stipulate your specific wishes regarding the care of your minor children or pets and the distribution of assets upon your death.
  • Living wills, or legal documents that specify your wishes regarding your medical treatment in the event you become incapacitated.
  • Trusts, or legal arrangements that hold your assets on behalf of another that are administered by a trustee or third party when you pass away.
  • Living trusts, or revocable trusts, that allow you personally to hold and control specific assets on behalf of another while you are still alive.
  • Health care directives, or legal document that outlines medical treatment protocols for you in the event you are unable to speak or make decisions on your own.
  • Guardianships, or legal arrangements that designate an individual who will be in charge of the food, housing and personal care of a minor or incapacitated adult.

Additional Benefits Of An Estate Plan

Along with carrying out your wishes, estate planning documents also have additional benefits. They can save time by dodging the probate process, protect a person’s privacy and reduce the amount of estate taxes owed.

They also tend to reduce conflicts among family or beneficiaries. If your wishes are outlined in specific detail, there is no discrepancy in who gets what and when the time comes.

Probate Litigation

In addition to estate planning, our lawyers are also experienced in probate litigation. If you feel that a loved one’s wishes are not being carried out, come and meet with us to discuss how we can help.

Contact us at 802-257-5533 or via email to discuss how we can create estate plans that protect you and your future.