Plans that actually
protect your family.

What estate planning actually does

A good estate plan answers three quiet questions before they become loud ones: Who decides if I can't? Where does what I have go? Who looks after my children?

Without a plan, the state of Minnesota answers those questions for you — typically slowly, publicly, and at meaningful cost. A plan replaces that default with one written for your family.

What we typically build

• Last Will & Testament — directs who receives what, names a personal representative, and (importantly) names guardians for minor children.
• Revocable Living Trust — avoids probate, keeps the estate private, and lets distributions happen on a sensible timeline. Funded properly, not just signed.
• Healthcare Directive — names who speaks for you medically and records your wishes for end-of-life care.
• Durable Power of Attorney — names who handles financial matters if you can't.
• HIPAA authorizations — so the people named above can actually get information when they need it.
• Beneficiary review — retirement, insurance, and TOD/POD accounts pass outside the will. We check them.

How the engagement works

• 1. Conversation — a 30-minute consultation, free, to understand your family, your assets, and what you want the plan to do.
• 2. Design — we recommend the structure that fits and quote a fixed fee. No mystery invoices.
• 3. Drafting & review — you read everything in plain English. We answer questions. Nothing gets signed until it makes sense.
• 4. Signing & funding — proper signing (witnesses + notary) and then the often-skipped step of actually retitling assets into the trust. A plan that isn't funded is a plan that doesn't work.

Common situations we handle

• First-time plans for young families with minor children
• Updates after major life events: marriage, divorce, new child, inheritance, business sale
• Plans involving real estate in multiple states (avoiding ancillary probate)
• Blended families with children from prior relationships
• Plans involving a small business or rental property portfolio
• Special needs planning for a beneficiary who receives or may need public benefits