Estate Planning Lawyer & Trust Attorney Jim Plitz

Second Marriages

Today, it’s estimated that about one-third of the population live in blended families, with step-parents, step-children, and other relationships that complicate planning. Second marriages, as well as unmarried couples have unique needs that need to be carefully addressed. As an example, in a second or subsequent marriages where both spouses have step-children, a spouse who leaves all of their assets to the other spouse risks their biological children ultimately receiving nothing.

As an Indiana estate planning attorney and will lawyer, I can help you consider the issues that must be addressed using your particular circumstances so that you can make the right educated decisions.

Unmarried Couples

If you have a life partner but are not legally married, estate planning is critical. State laws dictate decision makers and who inherits, and without a legal marriage, the default is not each other. Without a proper estate plan neither of you will inherit from each other nor have a say in the other’s end-of-life medical care.

Business Succession

Most business owners and farmers want to keep it “in the family”? To do this there are critical steps that must be taken – not only to prevent assets from being taken by creditors or by your child’s spouse (in a divorce), but also to ensure fairness for all of your children, even those who don’t want to be active in the family business. As a business succession lawyer, I can help you plan for the future and help you better protect the business you worked tirelessly to grow.

Protecting Children

Children are our future. Whether they are still wearing diapers, or have kids of their own, our children are the focus of our plans. There are four essential estate planning considerations that are often overlooked:

• Minors cannot own and control inherited assets, necessitating a trust.
• If you don’t appoint a preferred guardian, someone else will.
• A child who is on or may go on to government assistance can still inherit, when planned properly.
• Additional authorization is needed to make decisions on behalf of adult children.

At Plitz Estate Planning, we help parents navigate and plan through all of these issues.

Medicaid Planning

I help individuals and couples with both proactive and urgent Medicaid Planning needs protect assets to the extent allowed under law. Because of the “look back” period, ideally it is helpful to engage in Medicaid planning at least five years before a nursing home may be needed. Unfortunately, medical events occur that require an immediate and unexpected move to a care facility. In these cases, I can also assist loved ones with emergency Medicaid Planning to preserve assets to the extent possible.

Tax Planning

With over a decade of experience handling complex estate tax matters, I help develop estate plans that maximize tax-saving while minimizing or eliminating estate taxes.

Charitable Planning

For those who are charitably inclined or who are looking for ways to minimize income or estate taxes, charitable giving can be a vital estate planning tool. As an experienced charitable planning attorney, I can help you create a plan designed to leave a lasting impact.

Pet Planning

Our furry family members are often overlooked when it comes to estate planning. Our animals provide immense joy and companionship, and it is critical to ensure that your beloved pets are provided with a safe and stable home. I help with estate planning options designed to protect and provide for loved pets over the course of their lives.