Estate Planning

At Martin & Squires, we handle a wide range of estate planning.

Services include:

• Trust services, including creation of trusts, administration of trusts, defending and contesting trusts, and other trust matters (see below for additional information)
• Probate and estate administration
• Wills, trusts and estate planning
• Establishing a conservatorship, power of attorney, or assisting in preparing annual accountings for the same
• Establishing a guardianship or assisting in preparing health care directives
• Complex estate planning, including wealth preservation, business succession planning, tax minimization and other asset protection measures
• Litigation, including will contests, trust contests, petitions to remove a trustee and actions to recover assets transferred outside of an estate 

Our attorneys work closely with clients to provide legal services that are tailored to meet their and their needs as well as those of their families. It is important to have attorneys that can represent your interests from the start of planning to the administration of your plans after you are gone, including the ability to litigate in order to protect your interests in the event a tax challenge or claim arises with respect to any claims involving
your estate.

Wills

A will is a document by which a person directs his or her estate to be distributed upon death. The estate planning attorneys at Martin & Squires listen to their clients’ wishes and advise them on the best courses of action to ensure their will is followed in accordance with the client’s wishes.

Regardless of the size of the estate, proper planning and advice can ensure that you do not leave your estate to an uncertain determination by the courts. Tax laws change frequently and/or sunset provisions set without notice. Your final directives should not be left to fate. Our attorneys will be there for your family after you are gone.

Living Wills

Our estate planning attorneys are knowledgeable of the laws by which a person wishes to refuse medical treatment and to release healthcare providers from all liability if the person becomes terminally ill or unable to communicate. Also known as an Advance Directive, this very important document must be constructed in accordance with the laws of the state and in accordance with the client’s desires.

Don’t leave this highly emotional decision to family members to make at a time when emotions may or may not be in alignment with your wishes. Our estate planning attorneys can advise you on all of the options legally available to you and then craft a directive that will ensure that your wishes are carried out as you direct and that family members don’t have to make such an emotional decision that will rest with them long after you are gone.

Estate and Inheritance Tax

Estate or inheritance tax is the tax imposed upon the property transferred by a will or by intestate (without a valid will) succession. Also known as a “death tax,” this governmental infringement upon what was accumulated over a lifetime or even generations can dramatically alter the dreams of the deceased and his or her family.

Get the facts and take the necessary actions to minimize the amount the government diverts from your family and rightful heirs – don’t leave such an important consideration to chance. The estate planning attorneys at Martin & Squires, PA are very well versed in tax law and can help you navigate a minefield that can devastate the heirs of an estate.

Succession Planning

Succession planning involves all matters that relate to the act of ensuring that a business is taken over or acquired by the person or entity to whom you wish it to pass. Too often, individuals fail to plan for this very important continuum in their business planning, and valuable time and resources have to be diverted to deal with matters following the withdrawal or death of a business principal.

At Martin & Squires, our business attorneys and estate planning attorneys work closely together to ensure each is kept abreast of the latest trends and up to date with tax laws to ensure that financial disruptions are minimized and that your business continues to operate in an efficient and profitable manner.

Prenuptial and Antenuptial Agreements

Often times in situations where an individual has significant assets, family assets or is entering a second marriage with children, it is important to protect assets, insurance or income that is intended for family purposes.

If such a situation exists, it is important to address this prior to marriage and for both parties to have appropriate representation in the drafting of the documents. Martin & Squires attorneys have experience negotiating this delicate situation and are effective in moving interests forward in a constructive, respectful way.

Our Estate Planning, Wills and Trusts attorneys include John Martin, Richard J. Savelkoul and Mike O’Neill, who have been handling estate, probate and trust matters for years. For highly qualified representation and superior client service, you can rely on Martin & Squires.