Unique Estate Law is a leading estate planning practice serving individuals, couples, and families from all walks of life in Excelsior, Minnesota. We provide professional, friendly, and cost-effective services, from wills and trusts to guardianships and probate. As a gay-owned and operated firm, we understand the unique estate planning needs of the LGBTQ+ community.
When you work with us, we will tailor our services to your estate planning objectives and protect your interests. Lead attorney Chris Tymchuck is not only an innovative estate planner but she is also a compassionate person who loves what she does and cares about her clients. Contact our office today so you can start planning your financial future.
Representing Estate Planning Clients In Excelsior Minnesota
Our comprehensive estate planning services include:
- Wills
- Trusts
- Planning for children
- LGBTQ+ estate planning
- Incapacity planning
- Special needs planning
- Guardianships
- Probate/estate administration
You can trust our team to guide you through your estate planning journey, whether you only need a will-based plan, can benefit from establishing trusts, or need assistance administering a loved one’s estate. Regardless of your family background or financial status, planning your estate is a wise and responsible step in safeguarding your assets and securing your future.
What Estate Planning Documents Do I Need?
A will is the cornerstone of an estate plan that determines how your assets will be distributed after you die. But estate planning is not merely a matter of who gets what but also protecting your loved ones. For instance, you can name a guardian for your minor children in your will and establish a testamentary trust to provide for their care if you become incapacitated or pass away.
A well-conceived estate plan also includes a durable power of attorney and advanced healthcare directive that designate representatives to manage your finances and make medical decisions on your behalf if you become temporarily or permanently incapacitated.
In short, every adult should have these foundational estate planning documents, and that’s a good start. At the same time. Many of our clients can benefit from establishing trusts, and there are two types – revocable and irrevocable:
- A living trust takes ownership of your property, allows you to manage them during your lifetime, and is primarily used to avoid probate, which saves time and costs associated with administering your estate.
- Irrevocable trusts cannot be altered, modified, or revoked and can achieve several objectives, such as providing for a loved one with special needs, planning for incapacity, protecting assets, and avoiding estate taxes.
At Unique Estate Law, we just don’t prepare estate planning documents. We work to understand your concerns and objectives and provide ongoing counsel to ensure your estate plan is aligned with life’s transitions, such as starting a family, accumulating wealth, and preparing for retirement. Our attorneys will be there every step of the way, offering you trustworthy advice and guidance.
Guardianships
At Unique Estate Law, we regularly advise families in Excelsior on guardianships, a legal arrangement in which a disabled adult or child (the ward) is placed under the supervision of a court-appointed guardian, typically a family member or close friend. If you need assistance establishing guardianship for a minor without a parental guardian or an adult who cannot make decisions about their person or property, we can help. We can assist with preparing and filing the petition, represent you at the guardianship hearing, and work to ensure your loved one is protected.
Excelsior Probate and Estate Administration Lawyer
Many are familiar with the term “probate” but are unfamiliar with how it works. Probate is simply the court-supervised process for administering a person’s estate after death. If you have been appointed as the executor in a loved one’s will, our probate attorney can advise you on your important duties, including:
- Validating the will with the probate court
- Filing all required notices
- Inventorying and appraising estate assets
- Paying outstanding debts
- Filing and paying estate taxes, if applicable
- Distributing the estate assets to the beneficiaries
- Closing the estate
If a loved one has died without a will, the court will appoint an estate administrator who must administer the estate according to the intestacy laws of Minnesota. We are familiar with the rules of the probate courts in Excelsior and will provide you with knowledge, compassion, and personal attention during this difficult time.
Contact Our Experienced Excelsior Minnesota Estate Planning Lawyers
When you come to Unique Estate Law, you will find a supportive environment where you can make informed decisions about your financial future. We offer flat-fee pricing, cost-effective services, and compassionate, efficient representation. When you become our client, you will have peace of mind knowing that your estate plan will protect your well-being, your assets, and your loved ones. Contact us today to get started.