What is the difference between a will and a trust?

A will outlines how your assets will be distributed after your death and requires probate court for validation. A trust allows you to manage and distribute your assets during your lifetime or after death, and it can help you avoid probate. Koontz Law can help you determine whether a will, trust, or both are best suited for your estate planning needs.

How often should I update my will or estate plan?

It’s a good idea to review and update your will or estate plan every few years or after significant life events, such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or changes in financial circumstances. Koontz Law can assist you with updating your estate documents to ensure they reflect your current wishes and life situation.

Can I appoint a guardian for my children in my will?

Yes, in your will, you can appoint a guardian to care for your minor children in the event of your death. This is one of the most important aspects of estate planning for parents, as it ensures that your children are cared for by someone you trust. Koontz Law can help you draft a will that includes the appointment of a guardian and meets all legal requirements.

What is the role of an executor in the probate process?

An executor is responsible for managing the estate of a deceased person during the probate process. Their duties include filing the will with the court, inventorying assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing assets to beneficiaries. Koontz Law can guide executors through the probate process and ensure they fulfill their duties efficiently and legally.

Wills, Trusts, and Estates

Knowledgeable Lawyer for Wills, Trusts, and Estate Planning

Experienced Estate Planning Attorney

As we age, we begin to think about our legacy and how our property, money or other items of worth will be distributed to our family members or other institutions. It can be overwhelming to think about what is going to happen to all of our possessions when we are no longer around, and whether our loved ones will be taken care of in our absence. This is where a trusted estate planning attorney can come in and take away some of the confusion and stress surrounding the legalities of passing our property along, and provide peace of mind for the ending phases of life. At Koontz Law PLLC, we are happy to offer comprehensive and experienced estate planning services.

What Is Estate Planning?

Estate planning is a subject that requires sensitivity, meticulous attention to detail, and the ability to envision the future needs of your family and loved ones. Put simply, estate planning is moving assets (financial or otherwise) to relatives or loved ones in the event of your death. Some terms often associated with this type of planning are wills and trusts. A will is a legal document outlining your wishes for asset distribution after death. Trusts are agreements in which a trustor (one party) gives the trustee (second party) the ability to maintain the title to assets or property for the well-being of the beneficiary (third party). There are Testamentary Trusts (one enacted through the will posthumously) and Living Trusts (one that is in force during the trustor’s lifetime). Determining what documents and plans are right for you is an important part of estate planning, and we can help you through every step of the process.

Koontz Law helped my father and I navigate putting his assets under a trust. Brandy and crew did an outstanding job being patient with him ... and answering any questions I had about the process.

Our Estate Planning Services

We’ll begin the process by having a consultation with you about your wishes for asset distribution. Our team will then get to work, crafting a personal estate plan to suit your specific wishes, ensuring that your loved ones will benefit from your long-term arrangements. We can help with all sorts of situations, including:

Living Wills and Medical Power of Attorney. Ensure that your wishes for medical care will continue to be met in the future should you become incapacitated.

Wills, Trusts, and Durable Powers of Attorney. Designed especially to fit you, your spouse, your children, and your wishes for your property. We have expertise in handling all types of trusts, including:

Healthcare (instead of medical) POA
Trusts when your property needs protection
Durable POA, for when a person needs someone else’s help in managing their day-to-day activities
Charitable remainder trusts
Grantor-retained annuity trusts
Intentionally defective grantor trusts
Irrevocable life insurance trusts

Guardianship of Property and Person. We will explore options and alternatives for you to consider, or administrate them when you determine they are the best option.

Special Needs and Disability Trusts for Disabled Adults and Children. We can help ensure your loved ones are looked after, regardless of their needs.

Estate Planning Attorney Fees

	Attorney Fee
Initial Consultation (Will be added to the cost of your services)	$300
Simple Last Will & Testament	$375 per person or $525 per couple
Simple Last Will & Testament w/ Trust	$450 per person or $750 per couple
Last Will & Testament w/ Complex Trust	$750-$850 per person
Durable Power of Attorneys	$200 per person plus recording cost
Health Care Power of Attorneys	$200 per person
Living Wills	$200 per person
Codicil	$200 per person

We Know Estate Planning

No matter how unique your family or situation may be, our firm has the strategies to make your wishes for your property and estate come true. We can help you to reduce your gift, put in place a generation-skipping transfer, and calculate estate tax burdens by employing proven tactics such as creating family limited partnerships, limited liability companies, using life insurance trusts, developing charitable lead trusts and charitable remainder trusts, and more. If you’re ready to start the planning process and put up safeguards for your estate, contact us today. Our knowledgeable and friendly staff is looking forward to assisting you.

Contact Us Today

To contact us for a consultation, call us at (336) 751-6235 or click the button below to contact us online.

Our Practice Areas

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Wills, Trusts, & Estates

What is the difference between a will and a trust?

A will outlines how your assets will be distributed after your death and requires probate court for validation. A trust allows you to manage and distribute your assets during your lifetime or after death, and it can help you avoid probate. Koontz Law can help you determine whether a will, trust, or both are best suited for your estate planning needs.
How often should I update my will or estate plan?

It’s a good idea to review and update your will or estate plan every few years or after significant life events, such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or changes in financial circumstances. Koontz Law can assist you with updating your estate documents to ensure they reflect your current wishes and life situation.
Can I appoint a guardian for my children in my will?

Yes, in your will, you can appoint a guardian to care for your minor children in the event of your death. This is one of the most important aspects of estate planning for parents, as it ensures that your children are cared for by someone you trust. Koontz Law can help you draft a will that includes the appointment of a guardian and meets all legal requirements.
What is the role of an executor in the probate process?

An executor is responsible for managing the estate of a deceased person during the probate process. Their duties include filing the will with the court, inventorying assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing assets to beneficiaries. Koontz Law can guide executors through the probate process and ensure they fulfill their duties efficiently and legally.

About Our Practice

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Dedicated To Serving the Community

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Willing To Go Above and Beyond for You

For more information about estate planning or to schedule a consultation, call us at (336) 751-6235 or visit our contact page.

See What Our Satisfied Clients Have To Say

“Mrs. Koontz has assisted our family with several business related matters and we have been nothing but pleased and impressed. She is knowledgeable, kind, and straight forward. We would highly recommend her office.”

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“Mrs. Koontz was absolutely amazing. When she is going up to bat for you she is a force to be reckoned with and I am sure glad she was on my side. You could not pick a better person to represent you.”

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“Our family received courteous, realistic and professional advice from Ms. Koontz. We look forward to working with Ms. Koontz and the kind ladies in her office for all of our future needs.”

Becky P.

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Learn More by Reading Our Blog

The Benefits of Setting Up a Living Trust

June 27, 2024

Setting up a living trust can offer numerous benefits for managing your assets and ensuring your wishes are honored after your passing. It is a powerful estate planning tool that provides more control and flexibility than a traditional will. Here’s an overview of the key benefits of setting up a living trust.

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