Estate Planning Attorneys

Estate planning is a must for everyone with any property or assets to leave to their loved ones after their death.  The Scroggins Law Firm in Conway, Arkansas helps families in Central Arkansas with any estate planning needs.

Estates and wills

The Scroggins Law Firm assists will drafting and validation, as well as the execution of the will after the decedent had passed.  The lawyers ensure that your estate planning documents are properly drafted and filed, and that after your death, your wishes are carried out as you stipulated. 

The firm can also help you with alternatives to a will to help keep your financial matters private after your passing:

Powers of attorney

Signing a durable power of attorney allows another person to look after your affairs in the event you become incapacitated.  Power of attorney order includes many capacities in which someone acts on your behalf:

Health care directives

A health care directive includes a person's declaration regarding health care—his or her wishes regarding medical care expressed in writing.  This declaration is a contract, which a doctor must follow in the case of incapacitation.  As a contract, an advance health care directive must include the signature of the declarant and two witnesses.

Durable power of attorney for health care allows a person of your choice to make the decisions regarding your health care.  Often, people may choose this option if they are unable or unwilling to direct medical care before it is too late.  Without a health care directive or durable power of attorney, your life could be in the hands of an estranged relative, doctor, or judge.

For additional information on Arkansas health care and estate planning, contact the Scroggins Law Firm today or please click here.

Trusts

A trust transfers ownership of property from one party (grantor) to another (trustee).  A revocable, or living trust is created during the grantor's lifetime and usually allows the family to avoid probate after the grantor's passing.  The grantor can change the trust whenever he or she wants, and upon death, the assets are divided immediately among the beneficiaries. 

An irrevocable trust is a testamentary trust and established in a grantor's will.  Here, your family must go through probate during the inheritance process.  It is, however, easier for the grantor because titles and property do not have to change hands while the grantor is alive. 

Guardianships

Guardianships are a last resort when it comes to financial decisions in estate planning.  They are often time-consuming, expensive, and may not reflect the wishes of the elder or ill person, called the ward.  The guardianship can be limited or total, granting the guardian the respective amount of power, and it can be temporary or permanent.  The two divisions of guardianship are the following:

• Guardian of the estate, where an appointed person makes financial decisions on the ward's property
• Guardian of the person, in which the appointed person makes health care decisions on behalf of the ward

One person can assume both roles. 

Elder care planning

All aspects of elder care planning require serious thought.  The Scroggins Law Firm helps you make decisions and helps your family carry out your wishes involving the following:

Representing families in all their legal needs

The Scroggins Law Firm in Conway helps clients in Central Arkansas:

The law office is located on a main street, with parking available beside the building.  With broad experience in most legal issues that a family may face, the Scroggins Law Firm is your best bet.  Call the office today at 501-450-9313 or contact the firm online to schedule your initial consultation.