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Estate Planning Attorneys in Arkansas
Protect the legacy you worked so hard to build.
Our professionals will work with you and your advisors to clarify your goals and objectives. Then, we will create an estate plan tailored to your needs.
Helping Arkansas Residents with Estate Plans, Wills & Trusts
As we all know, life is unpredictable, and we can never be too sure of what the future holds. That’s why so many of us attorneys say it’s crucial to have a plan in place for your estate to ensure that your loved ones are taken care of in the event of your passing.
Trustable estate planner
Having the right estate planning attorney from a notable law firm by your side can make all the difference. At Butler Law Firm, our team of trust and estate counsel is dedicated to the practice of helping hardworking individuals and families create a plan that reflects their unique legal needs and goals.
Knowledgeable
An estate attorney has the knowledge and expertise to help you navigate the intricacies of trusts, wills, and other legal documents.
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Highly Experienced
An estate planning attorney guides you through the complex process of creating the necessary estate planning documents. We understand that the legal jargon of estate law can be overwhelming, which is why we take the time to explain everything in a down-to-earth and honest manner. We want you to feel comfortable and confident in your decisions.
Humble
So, whether you’re a hardworking farmer or a small business owner, our team of estate planning lawyers at Butler Law Firm is here to fight for your best interests. Let us be your trusted advisor as you plan ahead for the future and protect what matters most to you.
Helping Arkansas Residents with Estate Plans, Wills & Trusts
10+
Years of Experience
100 +
Trusted Clients
500+
5 out of 5-star client reviews
1000+
cases we’ve handled over the years
Everyone needs an estate plan. Why?
Your estate makes up everything that you own or have an interest in. For example, bank or brokerage accounts, residences, physical assets, etc. are all part of your estate.
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Proactively creating a plan can ensure that these assets are distributed how you wish versus how a statute defines. If you don’t plan ahead, “Uncle Sam” or your state of residence may become your heir.
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In New York, if a decedent has a spouse and children, the spouse inherits $50,000 plus half of the estate value and the children inherit the balance – outright. To avoid this, couples can draft a will and create trusts to make use of federal and state lifetime exemptions and protect their assets for the surviving spouse and children.
Your will should be an integral part of your estate plan and helps to outline to whom your wealth should be transferred.
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Where should you begin?
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Start by putting together a list of all your assets and to whom you’d like to leave your assets to. From there, consult our professionals as well as a lawyer or any other advisors that you currently work with. We’ll work side-by-side to ensure your assets are protected and your estate is properly planned.
Wills and Your Estate Plan
When it comes to your estate plan, one of the key components is creating a will. And let’s be honest, the idea of writing a will can seem daunting and, maybe even a little morbid. But, having a will in place ensures that your wishes are carried out after you pass away and helps prevent disputes among family members.
Here are a few things to consider when creating your will:
Choose an executor
An executor is the person responsible for administering your estate and ensuring that your wishes are carried out. It’s important to choose someone you trust and who is capable of handling this responsibility.
List your
assets
Make a detailed inventory of your assets, including your property, bank accounts, investments, and personal belongings. This will help ensure that nothing is overlooked in the distribution process.
Consider guardianship for minors
If you have minor children, it’s crucial to name a guardian who will take care of them in the event of your passing. This decision should be made after careful consideration and discussion with the potential guardians.
Healthcare
directives
In your will, you can also include your medical directives, like what kind of medical treatments you want or don’t want. This way, your loved ones know exactly what your wishes are when it comes to your health.
GET IN TOUCH
Contact Butler Law Firm PLLC for
PERSONALIZED ESTATE PLANNING
Address
PO Box 250970, Little Rock, AR 72225
Trusts and Your Estate Plan
When it comes to your estate plan, don’t overlook the power of trusts. Now, I know what you might be thinking, “Trusts? Isn’t that just for the fancy folks?” Well, let me tell you, trusts are for everyone, especially hardworking folks like yourself. Trusts can be a game-changer in your estate plan, providing added protection and flexibility for your loved ones.
Here are a few types of trusts an estate planning attorney can help you explore:
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Revocable Living Trusts
This type of trust allows you to retain control of your assets during your lifetime and provides for the smooth transfer of those assets to your beneficiaries upon your passing. A living trust attorney can guide you through the process of creating a revocable living trust and help you customize it to meet your specific goals.
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Irrevocable Trusts
Irrevocable trusts cannot be modified or revoked once created, providing a deeper level of asset protection and tax benefits. They are commonly used for estate tax planning and protecting assets from creditors.
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Special Needs Trusts
If you have a family member or loved one with special needs, a special needs trust can ensure they receive the necessary care and support without jeopardizing their eligibility for government benefits.
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Charitable Trusts
If you have philanthropic goals, a charitable trust allows you to support your favorite causes while also providing potential tax benefits.
Special Needs Planning
Planning for the future of a loved one with special needs can be a challenging task. As parents or caretakers, you want to ensure that they are taken care of even when you’re no longer around. However, leaving money and assets in a typical will or trust may not be the best option for those receiving SSI and Medicaid benefits.
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A “Special Needs” or “Supplemental Needs” trust allows you to hold assets for your loved one while still maintaining their eligibility for government benefits. It ensures they can continue receiving the necessary public monetary benefits for basic necessities, while the trust assets can be used for a better quality of life.
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An Arkansas estate planning attorney can help you organize a Special Needs Trust to provide the funds to meet the supplemental needs of your loved one. We understand the complexities of these trusts and can guide you through the process with compassion and expertise.
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It’s important to note that the Special Needs Trust can only supplement basic public benefits and cannot replace them. Additionally, the trust does not provide funds directly to the disabled beneficiary. Instead, it pays third parties for goods and services for the beneficiary’s use and enjoyment.
What Does an Arkansas Estate Plan Cost?
At Butler Law Firm, our estate planning law firm offers different plans to meet your unique needs. Our trust plans include a living revocable trust, an irrevocable trust, a last will and testament, a power of attorney, a healthcare power of attorney, a living will, a personal property memorandum, funding of the trust, deeds, and even an LLC if necessary. But don’t you worry, if you just need a single part of that list, we got you covered too.
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Our will plans include a will, a power of attorney, a healthcare power of attorney, a living will, and a personal property memorandum. The best way to determine the cost is through a free 30-minute consultation where we can discuss and determine the necessary services for your estate planning needs. So, let’s saddle up and have a chat about your future.