Planning for the future, to maintain, protect, and pass down your assets to family is important. While many believe that estate planning is something done by individuals who are rich and entering their golden years, it’s important for everyone to prepare for the unexpected. Our Master Certified Estate Planner, Barbara O’Leary is here to provide estate planning services in Alexandria, and help you make the right decisions for your family. We create a plan designed to offer you the peace of mind you deserve.

Developing an estate plan is preparing for the future, so that all assets, including your home, checking and savings accounts, and personal possessions, are given to your heirs after you die, with the least amount paid to taxes, legal fees, and court costs. There are various ways to manage your estate, to ensure that your wishes are carried out, and to avoid probate.

Last Will and Testament – It’s important to keep your will up-to-date and instructions are provided to distribute assets to your beneficiaries accurately. A last will and testament is an order for the court to review your estate and to make sure that property goes to the individuals outlined in the will after you’ve passed. If you have minor children, the will can appoint a guardian to distribute their inheritance once they come to legal age.

Revocable Trust – Also known as a living trust, helps pass assets to your heirs without probate, it’s important to be mindful that a Revocable Living Trust may still subject to estate taxes. This trust is treated like any other asset you own during your own lifetime. You do not lose control of these assets during your life. You have the ability to name yourself as trustee and trustor to retain control and ownership over the trust. It allows your property and assets to pass to your beneficiaries without court involvement.

Barbara J O’Leary, LLC answers any questions regarding the estate planning process and offers recommendations to help clients make the right decisions for each part of their plan. We understand the significance of your property and the importance of what happens to it once you’ve passed. Let us help you avoid probate through estate planning services that include the use of living trusts so that transferring your wealth to your descendants is manageable. Barbara works with a licensed attorney to set up the Revocable Living Trust.

Our estate planning services in Alexandria, VA are designed to offer peace of mind, no matter your age or the state of your health. Barbara J O’Leary, LLC can help you avoid probate through the use of living trusts when transferring wealth to your descendants. Contact our firm today for your consultation and to learn more about how we can help.