The Ritchie Law Firm is actively engaged in assisting people in estate related matters. The firm assists clients in planning, creating and implementing estate plans to provide and protect for their family now and after their passing.
Generally speaking estate planning involves the ordering of assets and creation of a plan that provides for the security of the family and an orderly carrying out of the plan after death.
The most basic of estate planning involves wills, advance health care directives (living wills) and powers of attorney. More specific information can be found elsewhere in this site. In each of these instances the objective is that the person's wishes be carried out with respect to who inherits their property on death, that their wishes are carried out with respect to the kind of healthcare they receive in their final illness, and that the family be equipped with the proper legal documents creating the authority to make decisions and conduct business in accordance with the best interest and wishes of the passing family member.
The passing of a loved one is a difficult, trying and confusing time. The foresight to make an estate plan, whether it be small and simple or complex involving the big estate, is a gift to your family that a price cannot be put on. The estate plan provides peace of mind to you during your life that you have taken care of your family. The estate plan provides peace of mind to your family that they are carrying out your wishes after passing. The estate plan prevents or minimizes conflict in some situations where remaining members may have different ideas about how things should be handled because the person that has passed left a clear direction, plan and directive regarding what should be done. An estate plan saves money by avoiding expensive estate processes and taxes and minimizing costs of administration of the estate.
The Ritchie Law Firm welcomes the opportunity to assist you in planning for your estate and helping those who have lost a family member to close out the matter of their estate.