The attorneys of Boles Holmes White LLC provide a wide variety of services relating to probate law, including estate planning, will drafting, trust instrument drafting, power of attorney, estate administration, advance directives, beneficiary representation, non-probate transfers, and business organization. When people think of estate planning, they typically think of a will. However, there are many available methods of effecting the intent of a client with regards to what happens to his property and minor children after he is gone. Here we will take a quick overview of some of these methods.

About half of all property passes through probate. This means the property is either passed under a decedent’s (person who dies) will or through intestacy (property of a decedent who had no will). The other half is considered non-probate property, and passes outside of probate under an instrument other than a will. Examples of non-probate transfers include joint tenancy, life insurance, contracts with payable-on-death (POD) provisions, and interests in trusts. Trusts have become an increasingly popular option for clients, due to the greater flexibility and control they offer over traditional wills.

Possibly the most important reason to consider a Last Will & Testament in Alabama is to determine who gains custody of a minor child in the event both parents are deceased.  The death of both parents can be traumatic enough, without a custody battle between surviving relatives.  A carefully drafted Last Will & Testament can resolve these issues, with the hope they never arise, but with the comfort of knowing the children are taken care of in a worst case scenario.

Another important area of practice is in advance directives and health care proxies, which enable a person to make difficult medical decisions, such as whether to remove life support, in advance. While ensuring the client’s wishes are carried out, this also relieves loved ones of difficult decisions in trying times.

Our office also provides services to those wanting to start a business or dissolve an existing one through our corporate attorneys.  Our team includes attorneys knowledgeable in corporate creation as well as the formation of limited liability companies (LLCs), limited liability partnerships (LLPs), and professional corporations (PCs).  We can help decide which entity is right for your new business, and help you draft and file the appropriate paperwork. Boles Holmes White LLC is here to offer our experience and unique expertise to assist you with all your estate planning and business creation needs. Contact us or give us a call and let our legal team go to work for you.