Estate Planning

Everyone should have a will, regardless of the size of one’s estate. Having a legal will makes the intentions of the decedent clear with respect to distribution of assets and the care of minor or special needs children. A will also names an individual to make sure the intentions stated in the will are carried out. When an individual dies without a will, someone must petition the court to be named administrator. If no one steps forward, the state will allocate property according to its own rules. The end result may not reflect the decedent’s wishes.

Our attorneys draft simple wills and trusts as well as highly complex and substantial legal instruments. When working with a client to write a will, we try to anticipate the unexpected. We make sure that the instrument names guardians for minor children, relieving family members of the need to petition the court for guardianship. We advise on the selection of an executor, whether an individual, an attorney, or a fiduciary agency. We counsel on the organization of assets so that they can be distributed with the smallest possible tax liability to heirs.

A legal will or trust is one component of a comprehensive estate plan. It is critical to contact an attorney in order to create a document that properly reflects your family’s goals. A knowledgeable attorney will advise you about your options. To learn more, contact the Law Office of Jessica Sousa, P.C. at (978) 777-7272 for a free consultation. We have the knowledge and resources to help you protect you and your family.

A Power of Attorney is a written instrument by which a person, acting as a principal, appoints another person as his or her agent (or attorney-in-fact) and bestows upon the agent the authority to act in place of the principal for the purposes stated in the instrument. The Durable Power of Attorney remains effective notwithstanding the disability or incompetency of the principal. The Durable Power of Attorney is invaluable in avoiding the need for guardianship or conservatorship. To inquire how to make this essential document part of your estate planning package, contact the Law Office of Jessica Sousa, P.C. at (978) 777-7272 for a free consultation. We have the knowledge and resources to help you protect you and your family.

A Health Care Proxy is a written instrument by which a person, appoints another as their "health care agent" to direct their medical care in the event they are unable to do so themselves. The Health Care Proxy is an essential part of your estate plan. To inquire how to choose a health care agent and to learn more about the role of a health care agent, contact the Law Office of Jessica Sousa, P.C. at (978) 777-7272 for a free consultation. We have the knowledge and resources to help you protect you and your family.