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Arkansas Estate Planning Law Firm in Springdale

Northwest Arkansas Estate Planning for Minor Children

Show Your Family How Much You Care

Estate Planning For Minor Children

Feel secure, maintain control, and have peace of mind by Protecting you, your loved ones, and assets the best way possible

Estate Planning For Minor Children

Without a Plan You are Leaving Legal Mess for Your Family

  • If you don’t plan, Arkansas has written a plan for you
  • Without an estate plan, Arkansas will automatically use its default plan for your estate
  • Your family will pay the price in pain, expenses, time, and frustrations of probate and more legal messes
  • Leave an expensive and time consuming legal mess for your family to cleanup
  • You don’t decide gets what, when, how, and how much…a Judge does
  • If you’re suddenly incapacitated, and you can’t make decisions for yourself who will make those decisions for you?

It doesn’t have to be that way. 

Protect Your Minor Children With an Estate Plan

You get to decide who will manage their money, what it is used for, and when they get it. You also get a say in who will raise your children…instead of a Judge alone.

Protect Your Home From the Nursing Home and Probate With an Estate Plan

Don’t give it all to a nursing home. Don’t lose a big chunk to probate. Know somebody you know and trust will be in charge when you can’t be.

Rest Easy & Stop Worrying When Your Estate Plan is Done

Your plan will give you peace of mind and confidence that you’ve done all you can to protect you, your family, and your money the best way possible.

We Understand…Estate Planning Seems Hard and Intimidating so We’re Here to Help

Estate planning can be intimidating and seem difficult. Not only are you forced to think about what happens when you die, but you also have to make potentially family and life altering decisions.

The good news is — it doesn’t have to be this way!

With a little help, you can be sure that your assets go to whom you want, when you want, and in the way that you want. I offer a free 15-minute call just to get to know each other and Discover if … and how … I can help you. Book a call now.

Estate Planning For Minor Children
Gary DeWitt Attorney At Law

 Your Guide to Success

I know first hand how hard it is to lose somebody and the headaches that follow. I know the importance of having a plan in place.

My father passed away of a sudden heart attack in 2010. Because of this, mom and I had to take the family ranch through probate – for the third time since 1975.  This was an extremely long and stressful process and it is the last thing that anyone wants to go through while they are mourning.

I decided then and there a better way must exist. And it does. That better way is an effective estate plan.

I’ve helped 1000’s of families avoid probate and other legal messes.

John Krueger
May 4, 2023.
Gary is excellent. I highly recommend him to anyone.
William Smith
April 3, 2023.
Heard radio ad several years ago for DeWitt firm. Recently decided wisdom of setting up a trust for our estate. DeWitt has been most helpful, thorough and fee is very reasonable. We highly recommend.
Robert Shipe
March 30, 2023.
Gary was very easy to work with and walked me through the probate process. I live out of state and was able to handle everything remotely. Excellent communication and quickly answered any questions I had. Highly recommend!
Bill Durham
March 16, 2023.
Great people! Very experienced with constant communication. I highly recommend the DeWitt Law Firm.
Nannie 6
February 9, 2023.
The DeWitt firm helped us through this difficult time of dealing with the probate process of our deceased son's estate. We appreciate his thoroughness and effiecency during this time....communication and helping to guide us through this has been key. We appreciate Gary in his expertise of all of our legal affairs.
Arkansas Fitness Network
February 7, 2023.
I am extremely pleased with my experience working with DeWitt Law Firm during a difficult time. The team, led by Gary DeWitt, was by my side before and after the passing of family members. They took special care in ensuring that not only was our estate protected, but our family was made comfortable while living. Their professionalism, compassion, and expertise made the process seamless and stress-free. Gary and his team went above and beyond to make sure our family was taken care of during a challenging time. They were knowledgeable, responsive, and always available to answer any questions we had. The peace of mind that comes with having a solid estate plan in place is priceless, and I will be eternally grateful for the support DeWitt Law Firm provided us. I highly recommend DeWitt Law Firm to anyone in need of estate planning services. Whether you're just starting to think about estate planning or you're ready to update your current plan, Gary and his team are here to help. They truly care about their clients and their families, and I couldn't be happier with my experience working with them. Danny White
Martha Carson
January 24, 2023.
They are the BEST !!!!
Carl Wilmsen
January 24, 2023.
Over the years, we have engaged attorneys to help navigate the legal process for various reasons. In the last three years, we have had to engage estate attorneys in two different states to assist with probate matters. Not being from Arkansas, we didn't know of any attorneys and were given a referral to Gary DeWitt. Wow! What a different experience for us. Gary is punctual, friendly, responsive, family-oriented, kind-hearted, and very knowledgeable. We are forever grateful for the referral to his law firm. From our view, when we have a legal question, we want answers as soon as possible, but most attorneys get to you when they can. Gary, however, makes you feel as if you are the only client he has - although we know this not to be the case. He truly does respond quickly to questions and goes - in my mind - above and beyond. It was over the holidays when I needed a letter to move things along with an insurance company. Gary was out of the office, but still replied and was able to assist us with the letter. No, I didn't really expect him to meet my timeline, but we were certainly grateful he went above expectations to get this letter to us! If you have any doubts about engaging Gary's firm, please don't. You will be happy working with him! Go meet with him. You will see for yourself he was made from a unique mold. I have not experienced an attorney like him in all my years! This is not a paid review. Just a review to motivate others like me to pick a good attorney!
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Estate Planning For Minor Children

Guiding You Step-by-Step: Success System

Listen

Book a Call. Have your first meeting with us, talk with the attorney about your needs and goals, then talk about what plan fits you the best and what the price will be.

Design

We’ll design a plan customized for you and your family. We’ll keep you informed every step of the way. We’ll finish in weeks.

Relax With Peace of Mind

Put your plan into action so you can get back to enjoying the best years of your life.

Estate Planning – The Superior and Only Effective Way

Estate planning is the superior and the only effective way to protect what you have from the nursing home, avoid probate, and prepare for incapacity for your peace of mind and quality of life

Estate planning is about preparing for the management of your affairs and distribution of your assets during and after your lifetime. A great estate plan will minimize (or eliminate) taxes and other major expenses like probate and losing it all to a nursing home. A plan also prepares for any chance of incapacity in the future. Plans allow your family to act instead of react when time matters most.

A great plan answers these questions, and more:

  • Who will raise and care for my children if I can’t?
  • How can I save my house from the expenses of nursing home care and ravages of probate?
  • How can I make it easier on my family during already hard times by avoiding probate and other legal messes?
  • How do I assure who gets what, when, how, and how much and manage it wisely?
  • Who will manage my assets and affairs when I’m incapacitated?

As a parent, one of your top priorities is ensuring the well-being and security of your children. However, unforeseen circumstances can occur, and it is important to have a solid estate plan in place to ensure that your minor children are taken care of if something happens to you. In this article, we will explore the key elements of estate planning for minor children.

Introduction to Estate Planning for Minor Children

When it comes to estate planning, many people assume that it is only relevant to those with significant assets or complicated financial situations. However, estate planning is essential for anyone with minor children. If something were to happen to you and your spouse, you want to ensure that your children are taken care of according to your wishes.

Naming Guardians for Minor Children

One of the most important elements of estate planning for minor children is naming a guardian. This is the person or people who will assume responsibility for your children if you and your spouse are no longer able to care for them. Choosing a guardian can be a difficult decision, but it is important to consider factors such as the individual’s values, parenting style, and willingness to take on the responsibility.

Creating a Will

A will is a legal document that outlines your wishes for the distribution of your assets after you pass away. It is important to have a will in place, especially if you have minor children. In your will, you can name a guardian for your children, specify how your assets will be distributed, and name an executor to manage your estate.

Setting up a Trust

In addition to a will, it is important to consider setting up a trust for your minor children. A trust is a legal arrangement in which assets are managed by a trustee for the benefit of the beneficiaries. By setting up a trust, you can ensure that your children’s inheritance is protected and managed according to your wishes.

Establishing a Power of Attorney

A power of attorney is a legal document that gives someone else the authority to make decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated or unable to make decisions. It is important to establish a power of attorney for both medical and financial decisions.

Life Insurance

Life insurance is an important consideration when it comes to estate planning for minor children. It can provide financial support for your children if something were to happen to you or your spouse. When choosing a life insurance policy, it is important to consider factors such as the amount of coverage needed and the length of the policy.

Letter of Instruction

A letter of instruction is a non-legal document that outlines your wishes for the care of your children. It can include information such as your children’s daily routine, medical information, and other important details that can help a guardian care for your children according to your wishes.

Considerations for Blended Families

If you have a blended family, estate planning can become more complicated. It is important to ensure that your estate plan reflects your wishes for the care of your children and the distribution of your assets. It is also important to communicate openly with all family members involved to avoid misunderstandings or conflicts.

Updating Your Estate Plan

Finally, it is important to remember that estate planning is an ongoing process. As your family grows and changes, it is important to review and update your estate plan regularly to ensure that it reflects your current wishes and circumstances.

Conclusion

Estate planning for minor children is an important consideration for any parent. By naming guardians, creating a will and trust, establishing a power of attorney, and considering other important factors, you can ensure that your children are taken care of according to your wishes if something were to happen to you. Remember to review and update your estate plan regularly to ensure that it reflects your current circumstances.

How to Get Started With Your Estate Plan

Book Your 15-Minute Call Now

Bella Vista, Bentonville, Rogers, Springdale, and Fayetteville Arkansas Estate Planning Lawyer for Minor Children