Counting and Protecting Your Blessings Through Trust Planning

As the 2023 holiday season proceeds and we approach the end of another year, most of us find ourselves reflecting over the year, counting our blessings, and thinking about things we might be able to do to make our lives and the lives of our loved ones even better as we enter a new year. Particularly considering the events of the past few years, the current economy and global unrest, I hope you are feeling blessed in many ways and have much to be thankful for…

Perhaps, because of current events, you may be thinking about how to protect the financial and material blessings you’ve been granted.

If this is something you’ve been wondering, this is a perfect time to consider creating an Estate Planning Trust to preserve and protect your assets for your loved ones.

Perhaps you have a Last Will & Testament and think that you’re all set. What most people are not aware of is that while a Will is great to have, Wills are not exempt from probate if you die with assets in your individual name while assets in a trust are. That means it may take months or even years for your beneficiaries to gain access to your assets after you pass away. Funds in an estate planning trust may be available to beneficiaries in only a few days.

Make Sure You Have The Right Kind of Estate Planning Trust

It’s essential that you have the correct type of estate planning trust – there are several different types. Each type of trust serves specific purposes and needs. Some benefit spouses and family members, while other benefit charitable organization. You can even set up a trust for your pet. There is also a special needs trust for loved ones who will need to be provided for in specific ways. You will work with your attorney to establish specific terms for each trust. For instance, you may name your grandchild as the heir of your vintage sports car — but only after they graduate from college.

Include A Healthcare Directive

Many estate plans include a Healthcare Directive which provides guidance for your loved ones and medical providers about the kind of care you want to receive if you are seriously ill or injured, and unable to communicate your wishes. I insist my clients have this important document in their estate plan. Your estate plan can also establish your end-of-life desires. Clarify with your attorney the details of when, where, and how you wish to be laid to rest. Then, your family doesn’t have to make such decisions alone. It’s such a wonderful feeling to have everything arranged in advance so your loved ones do not have to think about these details.

So many people talk about establishing an estate plan, but often they procrastinate until it’s too late.

An estate planning trust could also protect your assets from creditors during your life should debt or a lawsuit become an issue.

Counting your blessings is wonderful. Protecting your blessings through Trust Planning is even better. Call my office at 404-370-0696. Let’s get your assets protected. Then, you can feel even more confident in counting your many blessings.

Looking to find an experienced estate lawyer in the Georgia area who is skilled in asset protection and estate plan preparation? Shannon Pawley is an attorney in Georgia with expertise in estate planning and asset protection. Shannon can provide assistance with creating an estate plan to include making a will and how to establish a trust properly. If you have questions about asset protection or questions about making an estate plan, reach out to Shannon and she will be glad to help answer all the estate planning questions you might have!

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Stacy McKenzie

21:58 07 Feb 24

Shannon and her team were great. Went in for a consultation and got my money worth. She explained and made sure we understood. I will be using them in the future.

Diane J

23:10 24 Jan 24

Waheed Hamid

18:55 17 Dec 23

We had excellent service from Shannon and her team, they are true professionals and helped us and explained every step in the process. We highly recommend The Estate and Asset Protection Law Firm.

Virgil Price Young

20:16 18 Jul 23

Stephanie Deal

15:22 07 Jul 23

My father and I recently used the estate, an asset protection, law, firm for new wheels, new, power of attorney’s, and a creation of a trust. Brooke and her entire team could not have been more helpful and more professional! We loved working with them, and they took everything seriously therefore I didn’t have to worry about a thing. I highly recommend everyone at the law firm.

Barry Amos

01:22 01 Jul 23

Great firm. Had answers to all our questions and explained everything clearly. Never felt rushed to make a decision Could not ask for a better experience. Every one we dealt with was professional and knowledgeable. We highly recommend this firm for estate planning.

Lee Jay

21:30 28 Jun 23

Shannon provided invaluable information regarding a family estate matter. Although her firm did not quite fit our immediate needs, the consultation was informative and extremely HELPFUL! Shannon clearly explained what our next steps should be and offered to assist if we had any questions along the way. Her expertise and willingness to help puts her in a league of her own!

Alice Guppy

02:01 23 Jan 23

Shannon and everyone at The Estate and Asset Protection Law Firm are professional, very knowledgeable, and a pleasure to work with. They answered all our questions in great detail and the plan they developed for us is exactly what we need to protect our assets and estate as we age especially with my husband's health issues.

Lynn McKibbin-Moore

23:09 24 Feb 22

My husband has dementia. This firm has been patient, kind and professional while we went through a move from a house of 37 years in to a condo to be closer to my daughter and her husband. (Miami to Atlanta). There was also a wedding. All in 6 months.We now have a trust, power of attorney. Wills for my daughter and her husband and more. All at a fair price. I could not recommend higher.

Tammy Lee

22:03 29 Jan 22

Shannon Pawley and her team are exceptional at helping families navigate tough situations. We began working with her upon finding out my father had Stage 4 kidney cancer. His decline was more rapid than expected.Attorney Pawley and her entire team expedited paperwork that allowed me to focus on my father’s care, make decisions that suddenly needed to be made for him medically and financially, and has allowed me the ability to focus more on grieving and less on legal matters upon his passing.It is obvious she is knowledgeable about the best ways to navigate estates to protect the assets for the owners and their loved ones. It is just as obvious that she is passionate and has true heart for what her clients go through.We will be using her for own estate needs, and I recommend her expertise to everybody I can.This service is worth every penny we paid as it has saved us more money and time than I could imagine.

H Jessie Brewer

18:26 18 Nov 21

Attorney Shannon Pawley and paralegal Alexis McCoy are legal professionals that my wife and I highly recommend. Their grasp of the Georgia law pertaining to Medicaid assistance and the interworking's of the State department is exceptional. Additionally, their client-attorney relationship skills are excellent. We wouldn't hesitate to use this law firm again should the need arise.

Dawn Hardy

15:06 13 Nov 21

Shannon and her team are the best! They listened to my needs and provided the best advice. They are patient and professional as well as personable, they didn't make me feel like I was just another client. Highly recommend!