Charleston Estate Planning Attorneys Help to Secure Your Future

Trustworthy advice on West Virginia wills & trusts and other wealth management tools

Estate planning means identifying and memorializing your wishes for management and distribution of your property interests and financial assets upon your disability or death. At Pullin, Fowler, Flanagan, Brown & Poe in Charleston, our attorneys are knowledgeable about West Virginia law and responsive to your concerns. We begin with a discussion of your goals, both for retirement and beyond. We then suggest strategies to protect your assets in the event of unforeseen circumstances such as illness, permanent disability or divorce. We discuss ways to minimize tax obligations and other costs upon your death, so your intended beneficiaries can receive the maximum value from your estate. We take the time to tailor an estate plan to meet your needs now and in the future. That’s the PFF difference.

Essential elements of a comprehensive estate plan

Estate planning makes use of various legal instruments, such as:

  • Wills
  • Trusts
  • Durable powers of attorney
  • Healthcare proxies
  • Living wills
  • Declarations of guardianship
  • Burial or cremation instructions
  • Business or farm succession plans

Our attorneys guide you through each step of the estate planning process. We assist in evaluating your needs, suggest a plan that fits your specific goals and concerns, draft your plan documents, review them with you and provide you with the formalities and guidance necessary for their effective execution and use. If you consult financial advisors, wealth managers or accountants, we coordinate your estate plan with those financial professionals.

Charleston, West Virginia wills and trust lawyers ready to address your concerns

An estate plan ensures that your property is transferred according to your wishes. Executing a will is an essential part of the plan, which may also include trusts to help you better manage your assets and provide financial security for your spouse and/or other family members. A trust can also help protect your estate from the rising costs of long-term medical and nursing home care. If you own a business or a family farm, you should have a succession plan to ensure operation after you relinquish responsibility. If your estate is large enough to be taxable, we can suggest strategies to ensure that your estate pays the least amount of estate taxes possible.

You also need to be concerned about your health and welfare as you age. Preparing for an unforeseen illness or other personally debilitating situation is an important part of the estate planning process. A well-designed plan includes a durable power of attorney that allows you to appoint a trusted individual to handle your affairs, thus avoiding a court-administered guardianship in the event of your incapacity. You can also create a living will that allows you to control what medical treatments and life-sustaining procedures will be provided or withheld should you become mentally incapacitated. You can also make a healthcare power of attorney, appointing an agent to make decisions about your care when you are unable to.

At the end of the estate planning process, you should walk away feeling like you are prepared for the future and have peace of mind that your affairs are organized and will be taken care of as you want them to be.

Continued assistance after your plan is in place

Our firm also assists clients after a loved one has passed. With wills and probate services, we help executors to settle estates in a timely and efficient manner. We also serve as trustees of trusts our clients have created, providing meticulous and prudent management of assets.

Contact our Charleston, WV office to discuss our estate planning needs

Pullin, Fowler, Flanagan, Brown & Poe in Charleston creates thorough and precise estate plans for clients throughout West Virginia. To consult with a knowledgeable estate planning lawyer, call 304-344-0100 or contact us online. We have offices in Charleston, Morgantown Beckley and Martinsburg to serve you.