Grissom Law, LLC - Johns Creek, Georgia - Attorney

Did you make any New Year’s Resolutions this year? Statistics show that most people do not keep the New Year’s Resolutions they make. Perhaps this is because we make too many resolutions or the resolutions we make are unrealistic in the time and energy required to meet them.

One resolution that each couple/individual should consider making that has the potential of providing great benefit long term to loved ones is the review, update, or execution of an estate plan to include a Last Will and Testament, Power of Attorney, and Healthcare Directive.

If in reviewing your current plan, you determine that your plan is not current, insufficiently providees for your family, or you have not prepared a plan, you should visit an attorney to discuss revision or creation of your Will. At Grissom Law, we will always meet with you to review your circumstances and recommend a plan to best address your individual circumstances. Call us today at (678)781-9230 or email us at sgrissom@grissomlawfirm.com to schedule an appointment.

Many people call my office and the first question they ask is, “What is the cost of drafting a Will?” There is no easy answer to this question because Wills and Estate Plans are not One Size Fits All.

Your Will and Estate Plan should be customized to your family and circumstances. When we work with you on your Will and Estate Plan, we will collect information about:

• Your family members,
• Your family situation,
• Your property (i.e., bank accounts, investments, businesses, real estate, etc.),
• Who you wish to leave your property to,
• Who you trust to raise your children and be Guardians, and
• Who you trust to act as Executor and/or Trustee.

We will ask questions and listen to understand your family dynamics and how you wish to leave your property. We will also answer your questions. Based on our conversation, you will be provided options that address your needs and wishes, and we will explain the differences in the options provided to help you make an informed decision.

The options we discuss might include a simple Will, a Complex Will with a Testamentary Trust and/or Bypass Trust, a Pour-over Will with a Revocable Living Trust, or one of these options with an Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust, to name a few. We will almost always recommend a Financial Power of Attorney and an Advanced Healthcare Directive as well.

There are many different options available and at Grissom Law, LLC, we will always meet with you to review your circumstances and recommend a plan to best address your needs. Call us today at (678-781-9230 or email us at sgrissom@grissomlawfirm.com to schedule an appointment.

Are you putting off writing or updating your Will because you are not sure who to name as Guardian for your children? Frequently I talk with someone who says they have not completed their Will because they are unsure who they should name as Guardian. During the course of our meetings, we work together to review and discuss the family members and friends who might serve as Guardian and to identify the best choice for Guardian and one or more alternatives.

If you have delayed completing a Will for this reason, call Grissom Law and we will work with you to discuss your situation and to identify family or friends who can serve as Guardians to your children. At Grissom Law, LLC, we will always meet with you to review your circumstances and recommend a plan to best address your needs. Call us today at (678-781-9230 or email us at sgrissom@grissomlawfirm.com to schedule an appointment.

I am asked often, how often should I update my Will? There is no single answer to this question; however, the following are examples of events that would likely cause your Will to need to be updated.

• Marriage – unless your Will is written in contemplation of marriage and includes a statement to this effect, you should revise your Will.
• Divorce – unless your Will is written in the contemplation of your divorce and includes a statement to this effect, you should revise your Will.
• Birth of a Child or Children – if you Will was written prior to children, you should revise your Will to include naming of Guardians; if your Will was written when you had children but you have added children, you should review your Will to ensure that the Guardians named are still appropriate considering the larger family.
• Change in financial circumstances – if your financial circumstances have changed, you should review your Will to ensure that it still disposes of your assets appropriately considering the change.
• If your finances have improved, does the Will address Estate Taxes adequately?
• If your finances have worsened, do you have gifts included in your Will that will deplete your estate?
• Have any of the named Executors, Trustees, Guardians, etc. named in your Will changed in a manner that will preclude them serving in the role?

Any of the above events have occurred, you should visit an attorney to review your Will and determine if a complete rewrite is needed or if a Codicil is appropriate. At Grissom Law, LLC, we will always meet with you to review your current Will and circumstances and recommend a plan to best address your individual circumstances. Call us today at (678)781-9230 or email us at sgrissom@grissomlawfirm.com to schedule an appointment.