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Helping You Protect What Matters Most Through Wills And Trusts

Estate planning is a complex process that includes creating legal documents to protect your assets, your loved ones and your medical wishes. It can be overwhelming to figure out what exactly you need to include in an estate plan to safeguard your future.

That’s where we come in. Our knowledgeable attorneys at Gries Lenhardt Allen, P.L.L.P., are skilled at building strong estate plans for our clients. By working closely with you, they can help you prepare the right documents – such as a will and a trust – and ensure that you feel confident for whatever may come. With offices in St. Michael, Blaine and Bloomington, we help families and individuals throughout Minnesota protect what they value most.

Wills Versus Trusts: Do You Need Them Both?

There are many legal documents that go into an estate plan. Wills and trusts are the most common. Understanding how each document works is crucial when building your estate plan. Here are the basics:

  • Will: This legal document specifies your wishes for how to distribute your assets after death. You can not only outline who receives what assets, but also designate guardianships of minor children and pets, minimize estate taxes and determine who should administer your estate upon your death. Without a will, your estate may end up “intestate,” meaning your assets will go to your closest relatives (usually your spouse or children) according to default rules set by Minnesota law, even if you didn’t want them to receive it.
  • Trust: A trust is very different than a will. It creates a legal entity that lets you transfer money or assets into it, managed by a trustee. The trustee (potentially you, while you’re still living, or someone you have appointed) will then distribute the assets to your designated beneficiaries according to the terms of the trust. Assets that are kept in a trust don’t need to go through probate and typically cannot be contested, which can help minimize conflicts. Trusts are also private, while wills are public records.

These tools each offer unique benefits that can make estate planning easier for you and your family. Both documents work well together to create a much more thorough estate plan. While it’s widely understood that everyone should have a will, a trust may depend on your specific circumstances but can be a valuable tool when planning for the future. We can help you decide if it’s a good option.

Let Us Help You Plan Ahead Through A Will, Trust Or Both

Don’t let the estate planning process overwhelm you. Our lawyers are experienced in handling the complexity of building an estate plan and will work closely with you so your goals are met. By creating a strong will and trust, you will be in a much better place to protect your estate and your loved ones.

Contact our firm today at 612-568-0023 to schedule an appointment. You may also complete our online contact form to send us information about your legal needs; however, the submission of the online contact form does not create an attorney-client relationship.