Estate Planning & Probate
Planning for Death or Disability
With a home, retirement funds and life insurance policies, most people have a larger estate than they realize. But it's not the size of your estate that matters. A properly drafted estate plan spares loved ones from divisive squabbles and difficult decisions and provides for efficient transfer of wealth according to your wishes, and an estate plan will also allow you to appoint a guardian for your children if something should happen to you and your spouse.
The Janesville law firm of Meier, Wickhem, Lyons & Schulz offers a comprehensive but cost-effective approach to estate planning. Attorney Mark Schulz provides the basic documents every family should have, as well as sophisticated strategies for avoiding taxes and probate. He also handles estate administration and probate disputes.
Basic Estate Planning
We represent clients in Rock County and surrounding counties of southern Wisconsin. Call 877-692-2098 to arrange a consultation to discuss:
- A will to cover inheritance and funeral instructions
- Durable power of attorney for business and financial affairs
- Healthcare power of attorney and living wills
- Guardianship for minor children
Advanced Estate Planning
Mr. Schulz has advised professionals, executives, business owners and other high net worth clients. He can properly structure trusts to minimize or eliminate estate taxes, limit capital gains taxes for heirs, or spell out how and when children will inherit. Based on your goals, your asset base and factors such as a second marriage, he can recommend the appropriate vehicle, including credit shelter trusts, revocable trusts and irrevocable life insurance trusts. He can also advise on nursing home planning and allowable gifting of assets to heirs.
If you have a disabled child or family member with special needs, we can protect that person's inheritance with a special needs trust through WisPact, the state's pooled trust fund. Mr. Schulz has extensive familiarity with the trust, which is approved by Social Security to preserve eligibility for government benefits.
Estate Administration
Settling the estate of a loved one is an overwhelming task for the average person. Mr. Schulz will efficiently guide you through the process: getting appointed as personal representative, opening the estate, gathering and liquidating assets, paying debts and taxes, distributions to heirs and final accounting. In most cases, you need not even step foot in the courthouse. We often represent out-of-state clients.
Mr. Schulz can also represent the estate, beneficiaries, excluded heirs or personal representative in will contests or allegations of breach of fiduciary duty.
Estate planning is most effective well in advance of the events that trigger its provisions. But even if you have put it off for years, we can help get your affairs in order. Call our Janesville office at 877-692-2098 or contact us online to make an appointment.
