Estate planning allows individuals to take control of what will happen in the future if they become incapacitated and when they die. At Foley Freeman, we believe in empowering clients. A comprehensive estate plan is more than just a will. With the right estate documents, you can ensure your minor children are taken care of if you die, and you can determine what care you will receive when you grow old. Contact us today to speak with an Eagle estate planning attorney about your needs.

Providing for Loved Ones

There is no one-size-fits-all estate plan. Instead, our lawyers will meet to review your financial goals and discuss your family. An estate plan should provide comfort and peace of mind, while also minimizing burdens on loved ones who will inherit your estate.

We can create many of the most common elements of an estate plan:

  • Wills: Our clients use wills to leave assets to loved ones. You will also name a personal representative to shepherd your estate through probate and pay any bills. We can also use the will to appoint guardians for minor children if both parents pass in an accident.
  • Living trusts: Some clients use a trust, which is a method of holding property. A trust does not need to go through probate, so many clients prefer the ease of creating a living trust, also called an inter vivos trust.
  • Special needs trust: Leaving money to a disabled adult in a will could disqualify them from means-tested benefits. Instead, we use a special needs trust to provide for these beneficiaries, which preserves their eligibility for critical government support.
  • Life insurance: Some of our clients buy life insurance to provide an immediate source of income to their loved ones while the estate is in probate.

We have worked with people from all walks of life to create wills, trusts, and other documents. Estate planning is not reserved only for the wealthy.

Taking Control of the Future

Estate planning also considers what will happen if you are incapacitated or cannot make choices for yourself. As we age, many people develop dementia or Alzheimer’s and lose capacity, or they end up in a coma due to illness. These estate planning tools can help you determine today what will happen in the future:

  • Living wills and power of attorney for health care. Decide ahead of time what end-of-life care you want, as well as who can make choices for you when you can’t make medical decisions for yourself. Without these directives, your children could end up in a tense legal fight for control.
  • Power of attorney for finances. Incapacitated adults need someone to handle their finances, such as paying bills or depositing checks. Let us help you identify the correct agent to serve and draft an airtight power of attorney document.
  • Business succession planning. Do you own a business? You will benefit from intentional business succession planning. It is critical that qualified people take over the business when you can no longer handle it on your own. Without planning, some businesses will fold when a founder retires or passes away.

Please avoid any DIY forms you see online. An attorney provides many benefits, such as helping you decide who should serve as an agent for medical or financial decisions.

Why Foley Freeman?

Our firm hung out a shingle in 1978 in a small house in Meridian. Since then, we have helped countless people in the Treasure Valley with family law and estate planning needs. Our lawyers have achieved individual recognition by the Idaho legal community and are active in the Idaho State Bar.

We take pride in the relationships we have developed over the past 40 years, and have seen how estate planning can transform lives. With a detailed estate plan in place, men and women can face the future without worries about what will happen if tragedy strikes. We are eager to listen to your story and help you craft an estate plan for your family.

Speak with an Eagle Estate Planning Attorney

It is never too late or too soon to create an estate plan. Call Foley Freeman to schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys to discuss a will, trust, or other estate documents. We can also help you revise an existing estate plan if you’ve experienced a significant life event, such as divorce or the birth of a child.