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Before Your Curtain Call, Make Your Plan
In the summer of 2023, the niece of legendary soul singer Aretha Franklin found a handwritten will in a surprising place: Under the singer’s couch cushions.
A Michigan jury would go on to rule that the will was indeed valid, sparking a legal battle between the singer’s sons over some differences between it and an earlier version of Aretha’s will.
With all due R-E-S-P-E-C-T, it might be a good idea to keep your will in a safer place than your couch. Find the guidance you need with an elder law attorney who can help you navigate all the steps of setting up a good estate plan, ensuring that nobody will be searching through your cushions, and that your wishes will be clarified for your family. — Jessica Alyea
Choose Peace of Mind Over Probate Court
Losing a loved one is never easy. What’s even harder is having to grieve while spending the next six months (minimum!) sorting out a loved one’s legal affairs through an expensive, public process in court.
The good news is that you can spare your family from this court process — called probate — after your passing by setting up a revocable living trust. An elder law attorney can help you create this trust as part of your estate plan, ensuring that you are the one who determines how your property and possessions are settled, not a government official.
“Every adult should have a revocable living trust,” says attorney Nathan Mitchell, owner of Stone Legal Group, PLLC. “It keeps your estate private and avoids probate. It allows for your spouse and children to immediately access any funds you want to give them without having to get permission from the court. And, it allows for long-term planning for distributing your estate according to your wishes long after you’re gone.”
The team at Stone Legal Group has been helping Louisvillians build strong estate plans for more than three decades. By providing expert guidance through the complicated legal system and carefully ensuring that each necessary document is in place, the team helps families gain peace of mind knowing their estate will be handled privately, professionally, and as they planned.
By Jessica Alyea
