Wills and estates
Wills, powers of attorney and estates
Lorna Gaither handles this work: planning while you're well, and the paperwork after someone dies.
A will
Who gets what, who looks after your children, and who settles it all.
Powers of attorney
Someone you choose to handle money and medical decisions if you can't.
A living will
Your wishes about care at the end of life, written down for your family and doctors.
Probate
Opening the estate in court, paying the bills and passing on what's left.
Estates with no will
Sorting out who inherits under state law when nothing was written down.
Updates
A new grandchild, a divorce, a move: reading an old will against a changed life.
How it goes
From the first talk to the signed papers
- 01
Step 1: We talk about your family and what you own
About an hour, at the office or at home. Nothing is decided yet.
- 02
Step 2: You read a draft
We mail or email it in plain English, and you mark what to change.
- 03
Step 3: You sign with witnesses
Here or at your kitchen table. We bring the witnesses and the notary.
- 04
Step 4: You keep the originals
We tell you where to keep them and who should know.
Questions about wills and estates
Is a will from a website good enough?
Sometimes. The trouble is usually in how it was signed, or in what it leaves out. Bring it in and we'll read it.
How long does probate take?
Many estates close in under a year. Selling a house, a dispute among heirs or unpaid taxes can stretch it out.
Do I need a trust?
Most families here don't. If you own land in two states or have a child who needs long-term care, we'll talk about whether one helps.
Plan it while it's easy
Call or send a note, and we'll set a time to talk through your family and what you'd want.