Washington D.C.
Washington, D.C. Estate Planning Attorneys
Ensuring Your Wishes Are Carried Out with an Experienced Washington, D.C. Estate Planning Lawyer
Making an estate plan can seem like a daunting task, and it's easy to put off until “someday.” Unfortunately, too many people put off estate planning till it's too late. The truth is that planning for your family's future and ensuring your assets are protected can give you much-needed peace of mind.
Protecting your loved ones and your assets is too important a task to leave to chance. That's why it's important to work with an experienced Washington D.C. estate planning lawyer is essential in ensuring that your wishes are carried out after you pass away or become incapacitated. At J.S. Burton, PLC, our estate planning attorneys understand the importance of providing comprehensive and customized plans that reflect your values and goals.
Our experienced estate planning lawyers in Washington, D.C. can help you prepare a variety of legal documents including wills, trusts, durable powers of attorney, health care proxies, and living wills. We also offer a multitude of other services including estate tax planning, asset protection, and charitable giving.
With our experienced Washington, D.C. estate planning attorneys by your side, you can have peace of mind knowing that your loved ones will be taken care of according to your wishes and that all legal matters are handled properly.
Nothing is More Important than Protecting Your Family's Future
The reality is that many people pass away without having made adequate arrangements to protect their loved ones and assets. This can be a devastating experience for those left behind, who are then forced to deal with complications that could have been avoided had they been prepared.
With over two decades of experience in estate planning, our knowledgeable and compassionate estate planning attorneys in Washington, D.C., understand the value of creating a comprehensive plan to protect your assets and legacies. We will work with you to create a personalized estate plan that meets your individual needs and desires.
Our experienced Washington, D.C. estate planning attorneys provide comprehensive services, which include:
- Drafting Wills and Trusts
- Estate Tax Planning
- Asset Protection Planning
- Charitable Giving Strategies
- Business Succession Planning
- Elder Law Services
- Guardianships and Conservatorships
Our attorneys will take the time to get to know you and your goals, so that they can develop an estate plan tailored specifically to meet your needs. We understand how important it is for you to feel comfortable with your legal arrangements, so we strive to make sure that our clients are kept informed and that their wishes are respected.
Contact Our Washington, D.C. Estate Planning Attorneys Today
At J.S. Burton, PLC, we understand how difficult it can be to think about the future when you’re focused on the present, but we also know that estate planning is essential in protecting your assets and loved ones in the event of your death or incapacitation. We take pride in helping our clients achieve the peace of mind they need by providing comprehensive, sensitive, and personalized estate planning services.
It's never too early or too late to take control of your legacy and make sure that you have a plan in place to protect your family’s future. The important thing is to not put off estate planning till it's too late.
If you’re ready to start protecting your future and the future of your family, contact our experienced Washington, D.C. estate planning attorneys by filling out online form or calling us at (888) 885-9001 for a free consultation. We look forward to working with you!
Opinions That Matter Most
Read What Our Former Clients Have to Say-
“Professional, courteous, vast knowledge and explanations were superior!”
- Nicole G. -
“I found his professionalism, clarity, and expertise very evident and would definitely recommend his practice.”
- Lillie B. -
“John Burton and his team are true professionals.”
- Denise W. -
“Our work with Attorney John Burton was all we had hoped it could be.”
- Jim F. -
“Mr. Burton and his team go above and beyond in ensuring that your assets and future are protected and organized!”
- Adrea J.
Schedule a Free Consultation
Learn About Your Legal Options
FAQs
-
What is estate planning?
When someone passes away, his or her property must somehow pass to another person. In the United States, any competent adult has the right to choose the manner in which his or her assets are distributed after his or her passing. (The main exception to this general rule involves what is called a spousal right of election which disallows the complete disinheritance of a spouse in most states.) A proper estate plan also involves strategies to minimize potential estate taxes and settlement costs as well as to coordinate what would happen with your home, your investments, your business, your life insurance, your employee benefits (such as a 401K plan), and other property in the event of death or disability. On the personal side, a good estate plan should include directions to carry out your wishes regarding health care matters, so that if you ever are unable to give the directions yourself, someone you know and trust can do that for you.
-
How do I name a guardian for my children?If you have children under the age of eighteen, you should designate a person or persons to be appointed guardian(s) over their person and property. Of course, if a surviving parent lives with the minor children (and has custody over them), he or she automatically continues to remain their sole guardian. This is true despite the fact that others may be named as the guardian in your estate planning documents. You should name at least one alternate guardian in case the primary guardian cannot serve or is not appointed by the court.
-
When should a Special Needs Trust be established?Generally, a Special Needs Trust should be established no later than the beneficiary’s 65th birthday. If you have a disabled or chronically ill beneficiary, you may want to consider establishing the Special Needs Trust at an early age. One benefit of having the Trust in place is that if the disabled beneficiary becomes the recipient of funds such as gifts, bequests or a settlement from a lawsuit, they can immediately be transferred to the Special Needs Trust without affecting that individual’s eligibility for government benefits.
-
What is a living will or advance medical directive?A living will or advance medical directive informs others of your preferred medical treatment should you become permanently unconscious, terminally ill, or otherwise unable to make or communicate decisions regarding treatment. In conjunction with other estate planning tools, it can bring peace of mind and security while avoiding unnecessary expense and delay in the event of future incapacity.