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Banjak & Associates LLC.
Banjak & Associates, LLC
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The Accessible, Accomplished Representation You Require

Prepare For The Future With Confidence

Last updated on September 10, 2024

There is no telling what the future may bring or what you need to do to prepare for it. If sudden illness or injury should keep you from acting on your own behalf, an estate plan can give your loved ones the answers they need about what to do next for you, but you need to be sure you have an estate plan in place for them to turn to. When you need help creating a strong estate plan, you need the help of a skilled Missouri legal team.

At Banjak & Associates, LLC, we have more than 30 years of experience helping our clients create and update estate plans that meet their unique needs. If you have been putting off your estate planning, now is the best possible time to get started.

Compassionate Guidance Through Every Step

Too many people start an estate plan and then give up before finishing; we are here to make the planning process as painless and simple as possible. When we work with a client, we take the time to learn about their needs before crafting a plan that accounts for all of their needs, including creating facets of an estate plan such as:

  • Wills are legal documents that pass on assets to beneficiaries.
  • Trusts are legal documents that are more secure and more specific with asset distribution.
  • Health care directives are documents that specify your health care preferences regarding matters like organ donation, what procedures you approve of and how long you wish to remain on life support.
  • Power of attorney appointments to ensure someone is looking after you while you are not able to.

Without an estate plan in place, it can take months or years for your loved ones to receive their inheritance through the probate process, and it is possible that someone else inherits those assets entirely. Additionally, an estate plan keeps your loved ones from guessing or fighting about your wishes and prevents family infighting that could damage relationships.

Frequently Asked Estate Planning Questions

At Banjak & Associates, LLC, we will answer any questions our clients may have. While estate planning is a complex process, our decades of experience help us cut through the confusion our clients experience. Here are some of the most common questions we hear:

The cost of your succession will greatly depend on the extent of your assets and what you want to do with your estate. Your succession could cost you and your beneficiaries more if you do not have an estate plan in place. At Banjak & Associates, LLC, we can help you review your estate planning options and aim for your goals while making your plans cost-effective.
Estate planning is a continuous process. While you can update your estate plan at any time, you may want to consider updating your plan at least every three to five years to add any new assets. You may also consider updating your estate plan after any large life event, such as marriage, divorce, health scares, severe injuries or childbirth.
A will is typically just the start of any estate plan that allows you to instruct how your assets are managed. You can do much more with your estate plan than just make a will, such as draft a trust or name a medical power of attorney.
With just a will, your estate plan could be heavily taxed. You can use a trust to prevent heavy taxation and maximize your heirs’ inheritance. Our estate planning attorneys can review your trust options and draft a legal document that protects your estate from taxes.
If you own social media accounts, websites, stocks, video game accounts or cryptocurrency, then you may need to consider adding your digital assets to your estate plan. There are several ways to add your digital assets to your estate plan, such as listing passwords and storing data. However, data privacy laws may impede what digital assets can be inherited. Our attorneys can help you understand what can be passed on and how to do it.

Start Planning For Tomorrow, Today

We want to be the ones who give you and your loved ones peace of mind about your future, and we have the legal skills and experience to make that goal a reality. Instead of putting off your estate planning for tomorrow, take care of it today.

Call our St. Louis office at 314-886-5001 or email us here to schedule your initial consultation to begin creating an estate plan you can count on.