Probate and Estate Planning

Protecting Your Family's Future

One of the most important things any person can do to help their family deal with the inevitable is to create a comprehensive estate plan that minimizes the costs associated with probate and estate administration. Not all issues can be resolved before the fact, but at least you can assist with resolving the majority of the issues.

At Lewis Wagner, LLP, our attorneys guide families through the process of estate planning, estate administration, and probate. To learn more, contact our firm, in Indianapolis, Indiana, to schedule an appointment.

The Goal of Estate Planning

Estate plans provide methods and instructions to the court and your family concerning the distribution of your property and your healthcare decisions. Accomplished by using a variety of estate planning tools and documents, an estate plan is the best way to ensure that your family knows your intentions after your death or incapacitation.

Some examples of the estate planning tools our firm utilizes include:

• Wills and trusts
• Living wills / health care powers of attorney
• Durable financial powers of attorney
• Legal guardianships
• Special needs trusts

Probate and Estate Administration

After a family member dies, typically the administrator or executor must settle the affairs of the estate. Sometimes, issues related to property ownership, creditor rights, and beneficiaries' interests can delay the settling of an estate. Our firm helps guide people through probate as efficiently and quickly as the process allows.

At Lewis Wagner, LLP, we represent clients in estate and other probate-related disputes. Specifically we represent people in will contests, trust disputes, estate/beneficiary disputes, and contested guardianships. If you have questions about probate or your estate plan, contact one of our lawyers to schedule an appointment. We provide estate planning services and probate representation to clients throughout Indiana.

Jarrell B. Hammond