Jackson Estate Planning Lawyer

Do you worry about what will happen to your assets after you’re gone? Do you lose sleep wondering who will make decisions for you if you’re ever unable to make them yourself? We can’t make those circumstances easier, much as we’d like to. What The Law Offices of Wes Stover can do is help you put your plans and wishes into legally binding documents. That legal protection may offer you peace of mind and make things easier for your loved ones when difficult situations arise.

Our Jackson estate planning lawyer serves clients in Laurel and surrounding areas. Call (601) 401-8996 to schedule a free consultation.

Wills & Powers of Attorney: Two Documents That Cover What Matters Most

Our office works with clients in two key areas of estate planning. We help you draft your will, and we help you designate your power of attorney for medical and financial affairs. A will governs what happens to your assets after death; a power of attorney governs who makes decisions on your behalf during your lifetime if you become unable to act for yourself. Together, these two instruments address the most important planning gaps most people face.

Why Work with a Will Attorney?

It’s possible to write a will using an online template or even on a piece of scrap paper. But DIY wills carry real risks. Mississippi law requires a will to be signed by the testator and witnessed by at least two credible witnesses. Naming a beneficiary as a witness can create complications, potentially reducing or voiding that person’s inheritance, and online templates don’t always flag those risks.

Working with an experienced attorney can offer the following benefits:

• Validity: Your will still has to conform to the requirements of Mississippi law to be acknowledged by the Mississippi probate courts. We’re familiar with those requirements and can help you draft a document that meets them.
• Customization: We can help you tailor your will to reflect your unique circumstances and preferences, including tax implications and any specific complexities in your estate.
• Updates: Estate planning laws can change between the time a will is drafted and when it must be carried out. We stay informed about those changes and how they may affect your plan.
• Reducing potential disputes: A well-drafted will can help minimize family disputes or legal challenges after your passing. We work to anticipate potential issues and draft your will in a way that leaves little room for ambiguity.

Types of Powers of Attorney

Medical and financial powers of attorney play distinct but equally important roles in protecting your affairs if you’re ever unable to make decisions yourself.

Here’s how each works in practice:

Medical Power of Attorney

A medical power of attorney, also known as a healthcare proxy or healthcare power of attorney, designates a trusted individual to make healthcare decisions on your behalf when you’re incapacitated or unable to communicate your wishes.

When you appoint someone as your medical power of attorney, you grant them authority to make decisions about treatment options, surgeries, medications, and end-of-life care, guided by your previously expressed wishes or best interests.

Financial Power of Attorney

A financial power of attorney grants someone authority to manage your financial affairs when you’re unable to do so independently, whether due to physical or mental incapacity or another circumstance requiring assistance.

That authority can cover paying bills, managing investments, accessing bank accounts, filing taxes, and handling other financial transactions on your behalf.