Personalizing Your Last Will and Testament

When a person dies without a will (technically known as being intestate), control over the administration of his or her estate will be given to the courts and governed by state law. What a last will and testament can do is avoid state control over your assets and allowing you to make important decisions involving the guardianship of your children and the distribution of your assets.

At The Piatchek Law Firm, we offer thoughtful guidance, clear explanations and a high degree of personal attention in our estate planning practice. We listen, then help clients identify and clearly express their goals in legal documents that will stand the test of time.

As part of this practice, we create new wills and revise existing wills to account for life's changes, like second marriages and the birth of additional children. Our lawyer also uses more sophisticated strategies such as a pour-over will and living trust combination to provide maximum control and ensure a smooth transfer and distribution of property later on.

For quality, affordable legal services in Springfield or southwest Missouri, call us at 417-882-5858 or, send us an e-mail and we'll call or send a response as soon as we can.

There are Limitations on What a Will Can Do

There are limits to what a standard last will and testament can accomplish. The most common misconception is that a will allows you to avoid probate. This is not true. A will simply allows you to retain control over the administration of your estate, resolve guardianship concerns and name beneficiaries for your property and other assets. It will not keep assets out of the probate process by itself, but it may be able to if used in combination with other estate planning tools.  Only through titling of assets in the appropriate manner, including (but not limited to) titling items in a Revocable Living Trust, can avoid probate.

Springfield, Missouri, Last Will and Testament Attorney

Serving Your Family

Talk to estates and trusts attorney Joseph J. Piatchek about your concerns today. To do that, call our offices directly at 417-882-5858 or contact the firm online to set an appointment.

We offer free initial consultations for estate planning and are available for evening and weekend appointments. We can also arrange a home visit if you are unable to travel to our offices.

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