Knowledgeable Probate And Estate Planning Attorneys In St. Charles County, Missouri

Last updated on February 21, 2025

Probate and estate planning are two important legal concepts that deal with the distribution of a person’s assets after their death. It is a complex process that involves legal procedures, taxes and financial planning.

Probate And Estate Planning Lawyers In O’Fallon, Missouri

Most people don’t have a clear understanding of probate and estate planning, which can lead to confusion and uncertainty. A living will is a document that provides direction to your loved ones, family members and physicians regarding your preferences for end-of-life care should you become incapacitated.

At some point, perhaps toward the end of your life, you may need help taking care of your finances, making medical decisions, or communicating your wishes to your physicians and family. A living will, power of attorney for health care, and power of attorney for finances can direct your health care or give others authority to act on your behalf.

At Suddarth & Koor, LLC, our lawyers have nearly 40 years of combined experience. We are ready to help you protect your future and your family through estate planning or to help you manage probate after the death of a loved one. Contact us now for a free consultation.

What Is Estate Planning?

Estate planning is the process of creating a plan for the management and distribution of a person’s assets during their lifetime and after their death. It involves the creation of wills, trusts and other legal documents that help to ensure that a person’s wishes are carried out after their death.

Estate planning is important in order to have your assets dispersed as you plan. The last thing you want is for your family not to end up with what you want them to receive.

What Is Probate?

Probate is a legal process that takes place after a person’s death. It involves the distribution of the deceased person’s assets to their heirs and beneficiaries. The probate process can be time-consuming and expensive, and it involves many legal formalities.

How Our Probate And Estate Planning Attorneys Can Help You

Our St. Charles, Missouri, attorneys can help you with all of your probate and estate planning needs. We have decades of experience in handling probate cases and helping our clients create comprehensive estate plans.

Estate planning is an important aspect of financial planning that everyone should consider. It helps to ensure that your assets are distributed according to your wishes after your death, and it can also help to minimize taxes and other expenses. Without an estate plan, your assets may be subject to probate, which can be a lengthy and costly process. An estate plan can also help provide for your loved ones after your death by setting up trusts and other financial instruments that can provide for their needs.

We understand the legal procedures and requirements involved in probate and estate planning in the state of Missouri, and we can guide you through the process. Our attorneys can help you create a will, set up a trust and provide advice on how to minimize taxes and other expenses associated with probate and estate planning.

Durable Power Of Attorney Lawyers

A living will differs from a durable power of attorney for health care because a living will delineates your wishes specifically, whereas a power of attorney for health care allows someone else – your agent – to make your health care decisions for you. Your health care agent must act consistently with your wishes if they knows what your wishes are. If not, they must act in your best interests. Like a living will, a durable power of attorney for health care remains valid even if you become incapacitated.

Suddarth & Koor, LLC can provide professional legal advice by creating both a living will and power of attorney.

The person named by the durable power of attorney can also be called the agent, health care proxy, or attorney-in-fact.

The Impact Of Taxes On Probate

Estate taxes can significantly alter the amount of estate that is disbursed to your estate beneficiaries during probate. Attorney Andrew Koor is licensed to practice tax law and has done so for decades. He can help you minimize the impact that taxes have on your estate.

Additional Information On Estate Planning And Estate Planning Lawyers

If you need additional information regarding estate planning, feel free to contact us at any time using the form below. One of our attorneys will get back to you as soon as possible to answer your questions or start your estate planning or probate consultation.

For more information, you can read our Guide on Estate Planning

Call us today at 636-260-0132 or message us to set up a free consultation.