What Is Estate Planning? Estate planning may not be the most exciting topic, but it is one of the most vital steps you can take to protect your loved ones. Working with an experienced estate planning attorney in Augusta, Maine, ensures your wishes are legally documented and honored. Unfortunately, many people delay creating an estate plan, mistakenly believing it’s only necessary for the wealthy or elderly. Estate planning is the process of organizing and documenting your wishes regarding the distribution of your assets, healthcare directives, and guardianship of minor children. By using our estate planning services in Augusta, Maine, you can ensure that your financial and healthcare decisions are clearly laid out and followed, rather than left to chance or the courts. A comprehensive estate plan goes beyond just a will; it includes several important documents and provisions that protect your interests and those of your family. These documents help to manage several key aspects of your life and carry on your legacy, even when you are no longer able to. Key Components of an Estate Plan A solid estate plan typically includes a last will and testament that lays out how your assets will be distributed after your death, as well as trusts that allow you to manage your estate efficiently by transferring ownership of your assets to a trustee who manages these assets. A power of attorney allows you to designate someone to handle your financial and legal affairs. Other documents of an estate plan include a living will, which is a healthcare directive that outlines your medical preferences in situations where you cannot communicate your decisions. Your estate plan ensures that your beneficiary designations align with your overall plans, so it’s easier to transfer your assets to the right people. If you have minor children, an estate plan provides guardianship designations that allow you to appoint trusted individuals as guardians to ensure their well-being and protection in your absence. If you own a business, your estate plan should outline how the ownership and operations will transition after you step down or pass away, protecting the interests of both your family and employees.

Here are some things you should know before you step into a courtroom for your child custody hearing.

Jim Mitchell & Jed Davis, P.A. is a criminal defense lawyer serving the Augusta, ME area. Click here to learn more about the different classes of felonies!

Our divorce lawyers at Jim Mitchell & Jed Davis, P.A. want to help you obtain the child custody rights you deserve. Contact us for an initial consultation today!

Child custody is the legal term used to describe legal custody, which means the parent can make decisions on the child’s behalf, and physical custody, which is referring to the responsibility to house and provide food, clothing, and other physical needs for the child.

When you and a loved one have decided to separate, it can be stressful and overwhelming trying to separate children, belongings, finances, and more. If you and your partner can not come to an agreement civilly, it may be time to receive some legal help.