Nebraska Estate Planning Attorneys

Creating an estate plan can feel like a daunting task, but with the guidance of an estate planning attorney at Nebraska Legal Group, the process becomes manageable and less stressful. An estate plan is important to ensure your assets are managed and distributed as you intend, while protecting your loved ones beyond your lifetime. Whether you’re starting from scratch or updating existing estate planning documents, having a strong plan in place provides peace of mind and control over your legacy.

At Nebraska Legal Group, your estate planning attorney will collaborate with you to design customized estate planning documents that align with your needs and goals. Working with an estate planning attorney not only streamlines the process but also makes certain that your plan is legally enforceable.

Power of Attorney in Nebraska

A Power of Attorney (POA) is one of the most important estate planning documents. A POA allows someone you trust to act on your behalf in legal, financial, or healthcare matters. This estate planning document ensures that decisions are made according to your wishes if you become unable to make them yourself. Selecting the right agent and defining the scope of their authority is an important component of the estate planning process. With the guidance of an estate planning attorney, you can feel confident that your decisions will be respected, even in challenging situations.

Different Types of Power of Attorney:

1. General Power of Attorney: Grants broad authority to handle financial and legal matters, often used for temporary situations or absences.
2. Limited or Special Power of Attorney: Focused on specific tasks, such as selling a property or managing a particular transaction.
3. Durable Power of Attorney: Remains in effect if you become incapacitated, ensuring continuity in decision-making.
4. Springing Power of Attorney: Activated only under specific circumstances, such as incapacitation.
5. Healthcare Power of Attorney: Allows your agent to make medical decisions if you are unable to do so, covering treatments, procedures, and end-of-life care.
6. Financial Power of Attorney: Dedicated to managing banking, investments, and property matters.

An estate planning attorney at Nebraska Legal Group ensures your wills, trusts, and documents are properly drafted, providing security for your family while advising on trusts that align with your goals.

Wills & Trusts

A will is the cornerstone of any estate plan, serving as a legal document that assures your assets are distributed according to your wishes after your passing. Without a will, Nebraska’s laws will determine how your property is divided, which may not align with your intentions. Including a will in your estate planning documents allows you to maintain control and provide clarity for your loved ones during an already challenging time.

Trusts can further enhance your plan by offering additional flexibility and protection. These estate planning documents allow you to establish specific rules for managing and distributing your assets. It is highly recommended to work with an estate planning attorney to make certain your will, trusts, and estate planning documents are properly drafted and legally enforceable.

Examples of Trusts Include:

• Special Needs Trusts: Designed to protect eligibility for government benefits while providing financial support to a loved one with special needs.
• Pet Trusts: Make sure your pets are cared for after your passing.
• Spendthrift Trusts: Protects assets from beneficiaries who may struggle with financial management.

Working with an estate planning attorney to implement a will and trust strategy into your estate planning documents helps make your intentions clear and provides your family with clarity for the future.

Guardianship & Conservatorship in Nebraska

When a loved one is unable to care for themselves due to illness, injury, or disability, guardianship or conservatorship may be necessary to make sure their needs are met. Here’s the key difference between guardianship and conservatorship:

• Guardianship: Grants the authority to make healthcare and personal decisions, such as medical care and living arrangements.
• Conservatorship: Focuses on managing financial matters, including assets, property, and income.

Advanced Health Care Directives

Advanced Health care directives, often referred to as “living wills” or “healthcare powers of attorney,” allow you to designate someone to make medical decisions on your behalf if you become unable to do so. These estate planning documents also let you clearly state your preferences for medical treatment, including end-of-life care, ensuring that your wishes are honored.

While it’s not always easy to think about these scenarios, having an advanced health care directive in place can relieve your loved ones of the stress of making difficult decisions during emotional times. Your estate planning attorney will work with you to incorporate these directives into your overall plan. An estate planning attorney will also make sure your health care directives are properly executed when the time comes.

Probate

Probate is the legal process of managing and distributing a person’s estate after death. In Nebraska, if a valid will exists, the estate is distributed according to its terms under court supervision, often simplifying the process with a named executor. Without a will, Nebraska’s intestacy laws determine how assets are divided, which may not reflect the deceased’s wishes. The absence of clear direction can complicate probate, leading to potential disputes or delays. An estate planning attorney can help streamline the process, resolving issues efficiently and minimizing any potential drama.

Protecting Your Finances

A well-crafted estate plan with comprehensive estate planning documents protects your financial legacy by reducing taxes, minimizing probate costs, and verifying your wealth is distributed as you wish. Tools like trusts, powers of attorney, and health care directives allow you and your estate planning attorney to create a plan tailored to your goals.

At Nebraska Legal Group, our estate planning attorneys are committed to helping clients create a personalized estate plan that secures their futures. Working with an estate planning attorney provides the guidance you need to confidently protect your assets for future generations. Contact us today to start your estate planning journey.