Affordable Estate Planning

AFFORDABLE & CONVENIENT… IT’S THAT SIMPLE

The Law Office of James J. Jones, PLLC, was founded upon the vision that estate planning should be both affordable and convenient, thus making essential estate planning documents available for families (young and old) of any means.

Affordable

Estate planning is an essential process that every individual and every family should consider. This is not a task, however, that should be undertaken without professional counsel to ensure that the appropriate state laws are followed, and also to ensure that the individual needs of each family member are appropriately appraised. Unfortunately, such planning comes at a cost, a cost that is often out of reach for many families. The Law Office of James J. Jones, PLLC, believes that these essential documents should be available for families of any means. To that end, considerable effort is undertaken to make essential estate planning services available and affordable for almost any budget. Additionally, estate planning packages are offered at a flat fee. That means no hidden costs.

Convenience in Estate Planning is Now a Reality

Meeting with an attorney can be both intimidating and inconvenient. The Law Office of James J. Jones, PLLC, recognizes these concerns and strives to make the estate planning process more convenient. Client consultations are frequently held in the clients’ homes where familiar surroundings allow for greater comfort while discussing important decisions. This also allows families with young children, or families with health concerns, avoid difficult travel situations. Evening or Saturday appointments are often available to lessen the need to adjust for hectic schedules or family activities (consultations often occur after children have been put to bed). Finally, depending upon the documents required, and if the client is able to travel to the Law Office of James J. Jones, PLLC, in the northwest valley, it may be possible to complete the estate planning process in one visit, once again providing convenience, and saving the costs and headaches of needless time spent on the road.

Why Young Families Need Estate Planning?

It may seem silly to engage in “death planning” when families are often young, healthy, and likely years from facing health concerns or death. We all know, however, that the length of our lives, and how healthy and prosperous we would like them to be, is not always in our control. The fact is, anyone may fall victim to an untimely and tragic death or suffer a debilitating illness that leaves them unable to communicate or function coherently. Those who have considered these difficult but potential circumstances, and who have taken the appropriate steps to be prepared, will find greater peace in knowing they have responsibly accounted for the troubling “what ifs” that may be lurking in their future. They can also find peace in knowing they have put in place a plan to properly protect their families.

Families should consider including the following provisions in their estate planning:

  1. Life Insurance. Talk to your agent to discover how little it may cost to provide potentially huge benefits to your family in the event of the unexpected.
  2. Nominations for Guardianship of Minor Children. If tragedy strikes, and parents fail to make it home one evening, who will raise their children? Unfortunately, young families often overlook this critical step. Parents know their children best. They should therefore be actively involved in choosing those individuals who the parents believe will be loving and encouraging, thus providing the greatest opportunities for happy and productive futures.
  3. Testamentary Provisions. This is another element of estate planning that is often ignored by young families. Consider the potentially wasteful ramifications of handing a large sum of money to a young adult. Testamentary provisions allow inheritances to be placed in Trust and to be managed and distributed at the discretion of an experienced individual who is designated to provide for the best interests of the beneficiary.
  4. Financial and Health Directives (POAs). Becoming incapacitated and unable to make sound financial and medical decisions can quickly threaten a family’s future. An essential element of estate planning involves designating health and financial agents who will step in and make the critical decisions to protect families and estates until capacity is regained.

Responsible parents recognize that they may not always be there to protect, love, and provide for their children. A well drafted estate plan, however, may provide peaceful assurance now, and critical direction later.