EXPERIENCED ATTORNEYS

Office Building of Schnell & Hancock, P.C.

Davenport Attorneys Helping With Estate Planning And Wills

Too often people put off drafting a will or otherwise planning for their estate until it is too late. While there may always be other responsibilities that seem more pressing, none will give you the same peace of mind as ensuring that your loved ones are provided for and that your wishes regarding your estate are clearly defined in legally enforceable documents. Joint tenancy ownership and beneficiary designations are not sufficient in most instances to fulfill a person’s desires regarding the distribution of his or her property at death.

At Schnell & Hancock, P.C., our Davenport and Rock Island lawyers have more than 40 years of combined experience helping people draft wills, trusts and creating estate plans that give them confidence that they have done what was necessary to provide for their loved ones. Further, an effective estate plan can also put in place the necessary directions about who will be making decisions for you should such a situation ever arise. By starting today, you can rest assured that your loved ones will be taken care of in the way you would want.

Helping Craft Comprehensive Estate Plans That Meet Your Goals

While most people often have some idea regarding their estate planning goals, most people benefit greatly from discussing their goals and circumstances with our attorneys. We can help you create a will or a more complex estate plan that clearly and definitively directs the distribution of your assets. A proper estate plan can result in:

  • Avoidance of unnecessary taxes
  • Decreasing the potential for conflict among heirs
  • Clearly designating who you would want to make health care or financial decisions for you should that be necessary
  • Providing for loved ones with special needs
  • Nominating a guardian for minor children
  • Clearly directing the transfer of your assets

A will can be complemented with trusts, as well as financial powers of attorney and health care powers of attorney, in addition to advance directives/living wills and other estate planning instruments. We will work to ensure that your will or estate plan takes care of all your needs.

When the estate plan includes a gift to a minor child either during life or upon death, parents or other family members should consider a Uniform Transfer to Minors Account (UTMA). These accounts name a custodian who controls the property until the minor reaches the age of 21, without the need for a formal guardianship or conservatorship.

Contact Our Lawyers For Help With Wills And Other Estate Planning Tools

Drafting a will or taking other steps to plan for your estate can provide peace of mind. Turn to the attorneys of Schnell & Hancock, P.C., for the help you need. To schedule an initial consultation, call 563-359-7112 or contact us online. From our Scott County offices, we provide legal representation throughout eastern Iowa and western Illinois.