Indiana Estate Planning

Estate planning involves a variety of documents and a comprehensive plan that aligns with your specific family goals. It helps your loved ones make critical financial and health care decisions if you become disabled or after your death. A proper strategy minimizes unnecessary costs, such as additional legal fees and tax consequences. Every family has unique needs, so it’s essential to find an Indiana estate planning attorney who carefully listens to your priorities and offers solutions to meet them.

At the Law Office of Matthew Allen, we provide legal advice tailored to your personal situation and family structure. We address particular concerns regarding costs of health care as you age, evaluating and protecting assets, choosing beneficiaries, designating specific individuals to make decisions on your behalf if you are not able, preparing for disability, securing your wealth, and communicating your values to the next generation.

Indiana Wills and Trusts

Almost everyone has something of value they would like family members to inherit from them. A will ensures your wishes are carried out and allows you to protect your spouse and children. It designates who inherits your real property like a home or land and personal property like bank accounts, investments, jewelry, etc. A will determines how your property is distributed and can designate who will care for your minor children after you die.

A thorough estate plan includes a will and trusts (revocable living trusts or irrevocable trusts) to mitigate confusion, protect assets, and avoid unnecessary legal fees, taxes, and delays in the dispersion of assets. They also include powers of attorney to designate individuals to make important decisions.

Financial Power of Attorney

This durable power of attorney designates a trusted individual to manage your financial and business affairs. When you become incapable of making critical decisions, this person is responsible for carrying out your wishes to the best of their ability. This document is not just for seniors. An unforeseen illness or unfortunate accident can render a healthy, younger individual incapacitated and in need of financial assistance.

Advance Directive for Healthcare Decisions (Advance Directive)

An Advance Directive is a healthcare proxy and permits a designated person to make health care and medical decisions according to your specific instructions or their best understanding of your wishes. Again, choosing a healthcare representative for medical care decisions is not only relevant to seniors. An unforeseen illness or accident can render a healthy, younger individual incapacitated, which is why an Advance Directive is a crucial Indiana estate planning document.

The Law Office of Matthew Allen has over 20 years of legal experience helping clients in Indiana understand estate planning, elder law, trust administration, Medicaid and Veterans planning, and business law. Attorney Matthew Allen is accredited by the United States Veterans’ Administration to represent Veterans and is a member of the Elder Law and Real Estate Sections of the Indiana State Bar Association.

To learn more about our legal services in Central Indiana, including Indianapolis, Carmel, Greenfield, Lafayette, Anderson, and more, please contact us.