Carmichael Family Law and Consulting

A simple will identifies your beneficiaries, describes your wishes for your final arrangements, establishes guardians for minor children, and defines how your property should be distributed. Without a will, state law will dictate who inherits your property--leading to disputes--and your children may be left without a legal guardian.

A trust can be a valuable part of your estate plan. A trust can help you avoid probate, plan for incapacity, and give you more control over how and when your assets are used. It's especially useful if you have children or want to distribute assets over time instead of as a lump sum.

A power of attorney (POA) lets someone you trust act on your behalf for financial, legal, or health matters if you want or need them to. A Power of Attorney can be used to help an individual with a disability or an elderly relative maintain their independence while providing needed support with managing common tasks-like household bills. 

An advance directive is a legal document outlining your healthcare preferences. An advance directive lets your healthcare providers and loved ones know what you would want in end-of-life care or situations where you cannot speak for yourself. An advance directive may also be called a "living will" or health care power of attorney.

Special needs planning is multi-faceted process designed to provide a secure financial and legal future for individuals with disabilities while respecting each individuals capacities and maintaining their eligibility for government benefits like SSI or Medicaid.