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Serving the legal needs
of Alabamians over 50
of Alabamians over 50
ELEMENTS OF ESTATE PLANNING
WILL or REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST
Any competent adult person (age 19 or over) can prepare a will or a
trust. To be valid, in Alabama the will must be signed by you and two
witnesses. To be “self-proving” the Will must be notarized. Through a
Will or trust you can accomplish:
• Distributing your assets according to your wishes;
• Save on estate taxes if your estate is over $3.5 million in 2009;
• Name a guardian or trustee for disabled spouse or child;
• Reduce probate costs.
DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY FOR BUSINESS AND FINANCE
An agent you appoint in this document can handle your business and
personal affairs if you become unable to make or communicate
decisions for yourself. A power of attorney is effective only during a
person’s lifetime. Signing a power of attorney usually avoids the need
to go to court to have a guardian
or conservator appointed if you become incapacitated.
DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY FOR HEALTH CARE
An agent you appoint in this document can make health care decisions
for you if you become unable to make or communicate your choices. It
does not have to be the same agent you appoint for business and
financial decisions.
ADVANCE DIRECTIVE FOR HEALTH CARE
The living will statute was amended in 1997 and again in 2001. The
new Advance Directive for Health Care allows you to have control over
end of life health care treatment. You can state whether or not you
would want life-sustaining treatment or to receive nutrition or hydration
through a tube if you were terminally ill or in a permanent coma. A
proxy (i.e. agent) you appoint can help carry out your wishes.
WILL or REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST
Any competent adult person (age 19 or over) can prepare a will or a
trust. To be valid, in Alabama the will must be signed by you and two
witnesses. To be “self-proving” the Will must be notarized. Through a
Will or trust you can accomplish:
• Distributing your assets according to your wishes;
• Save on estate taxes if your estate is over $3.5 million in 2009;
• Name a guardian or trustee for disabled spouse or child;
• Reduce probate costs.
DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY FOR BUSINESS AND FINANCE
An agent you appoint in this document can handle your business and
personal affairs if you become unable to make or communicate
decisions for yourself. A power of attorney is effective only during a
person’s lifetime. Signing a power of attorney usually avoids the need
to go to court to have a guardian
or conservator appointed if you become incapacitated.
DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY FOR HEALTH CARE
An agent you appoint in this document can make health care decisions
for you if you become unable to make or communicate your choices. It
does not have to be the same agent you appoint for business and
financial decisions.
ADVANCE DIRECTIVE FOR HEALTH CARE
The living will statute was amended in 1997 and again in 2001. The
new Advance Directive for Health Care allows you to have control over
end of life health care treatment. You can state whether or not you
would want life-sustaining treatment or to receive nutrition or hydration
through a tube if you were terminally ill or in a permanent coma. A
proxy (i.e. agent) you appoint can help carry out your wishes.
| 256-536-9494 |
2306 Pansy Street SW
Huntsville, Alabama 35801
Huntsville, Alabama 35801
