• Estate Planning Law Book

Wills and Estate Planning and Probate

Over half of Americans over 55 years of age do not have a will or any written plan to control or indicate how their assets should be distributed after their death. It may not be something that people want to think about, but if you have any assets, you need to consider what will happen with them after you pass away. If you don't do it yourself, the State will control their distribution, and in addition to conflicting with your intentions, that could also reduce their eventual value due to inheritance taxation or other legal obligations.

There are many legal tools that we can use to meet your personal goals after a thorough personal consultation with you about your assets and intentions.  You may not even need a formal will that needs to be probated in the court system, or a complex trust.   Those alternatives are almost always less expensive than probate or a trust.  Your personal needs could be met with something as simple as a deed to property you own, or directing money in your accounts be made "payable on death".

Nebraska is one of the few states that has an inheritance tax, and that can be a significant burden.  We can help you create a plan that avoids or minimizes the financial impact of that tax.

Most importantly, we can give you the peace of mind knowing that you have made the necessary arrangements, and do it inexpensively and quickly.

  • 1. We Determine What Your Goals Are and What Assets Are Involved

    We consult with our clients to first thoroughly explore and learn about what their wishes and plans are, then help them determine and put into writing the best way to accomplish them at the least cost. 

  • 2. We Help You Decide the Best Way to Achieve Those Goals at the Lowest Cost

    This could be by drafting a will, or it could be by using other legal devices that avoid or minimize the need for probate that a will would require. Such legal devices can include transferring real estate using a joint tenancy or transfer-on-death deed, and taking such measures as designating beneficiaries on other assets where that is permitted.


    Our goal is to put into practice, in the least complicated and most affordable manner, your plan for the distribution of your estate after your death or in the event you become disabled, and to provide certainty while you are alive and another person needs to become involved due to your disability. We prepare wills, and related documents such as durable powers of attorney, health care directives, and living wills to implement our clients' plans. Other devices available to meet our needs include Transfer on Death Deeds and similar ones that help avoid probate if that is your desire.


  • 3. We Make Sure the Documents Used Are Easily Understandable to You and to Everyone Involved

    We understand these are often difficult decisions and our staff is dedicated to making the process easier and understandable. We avoid the use of "legalese" in drafting documents and use terminology that is easily understandable to everyone who will need to rely on it in carrying out these important matters. Then we help you make sure those who need to play a role in the process are informed of that so your intentions are carried out at the appropriate time.