Estate Planning

Our Practice Areas

We practice in all areas of estate planning, including preparation of:

  • living trusts
  • insurance trusts
  • wills
  • powers of attorney
  • advance health care directives
  • trust transfer deeds

We have particular expertise in the area of estate planning/family law crossover issues. We help our clients navigate the sensitive process of estate planning, effectively dealing with issues of:

  • guardianship of minor children
  • selection of fiduciaries
  • family dynamics and estate planning
  • planning timing issues: prior to, during and after divorce
  • transmutation of property

The planning process includes meeting personally with clients in order to learn their needs, desires and objectives and to determine which type of plan will most appropriately accomplish those objectives in a cost-effective manner with the least possible taxes and expenses.

FRIENDLY AND COMPASSIONATE SERVICE
Donna Shapiro, who focuses her practice solely on estate planning, is warm, honest, and compassionate and enjoys working with people and knows how to put clients at ease. In addition to her strong knowledge of estate-planning principles, she knows how to relate to clients and understand their issues. She brings experience and service that is friendly and sincere, reasonably priced, and makes the estate planning process as painless as possible.

ACHIEVING CLIENTS’ GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
FMBK’s estate planning department concentrates on assisting clients in defining their objectives and then accomplishing all those objectives. Our goal is to enable clients to direct their assets to the people they want to receive them, with the least possible erosion or attrition due to taxes, probate administration expenses, or other costs. We benefit clients in terms of achieving their goals and the gratification of their having accomplished something worthwhile.

HELPING YOU PLAN YOUR ESTATE
If you have substantial assets, personal responsibilities, or charitable objectives, you need to make plans for your will and estate. Please contact one of our estate planning lawyers so they may guide you through this complex area of law and life.