Estate Planning Lawyers in Springfield, MO
Full-Service Law Firm Proudly Serving Southwest Missouri
At Neale & Newman, our compassionate and experienced lawyers know how important it is to pass on your legacy to your family and the loved ones in your life. Whether you need help drafting a comprehensive plan for your home, business, investments, and other valuable assets, we can provide you with the expertise and practical advice that you need to make informed decisions that will protect your wealth.
Our estate planning team creates customized plans that can be tailored to meet the unique needs of the diverse clients we represent. From major life events like the birth of a child and marriage to the death of a relative and retirement, we can determine the best approach for you and implement the tools that you need to document your plans.
Call (417) 670-2520 to consult our Springfield estate planning attorneys. You can also reach us online here.
Estate Planning Services We Provide
Neale & Newman has more than 100 years of combined experience advising clients in all areas of estate planning. We proudly advise clients throughout Missouri and neighboring states. You can rest assured you will receive individual advice on how best to meet your needs. We refuse to use any type of cookie-cutter approach to estate planning.
When you choose our firm to represent you, we will advise on the best strategy to achieve all of your unique goals using the following estate planning tools:
- Practice Areas
- Powers of Attorney
- Medical Directives
- Guardianship
- Beneficiary Deeds
Our renowned estate planning team also assists clients with:
- Probate and Trust Administration
- Elder Law Matters
- Business Succession
- Valuation of Assets
What Is Included in an Estate Plan?
Estate plans typically include five elements:
- Will – names guardians for your children and pets; lists personal property and who will receive the assets; names an executor who will carry out your will
- Trust(s) – two basic types of trusts are the revocable trust and irrevocable trust
- Power of Attorney – designated person who will manage your affairs if you are too ill or become incapacitated
- Medical Directive – document that explains how you want medical decisions to be carried out when you are no longer able to make those decisions for yourself
- Beneficiary Designation – dictates who will receive benefits when you are gone; this overrides what is in your will
A member of our team will be in touch shortly to confirm your contact details or address questions you may have.
When Should I Begin Estate Planning?
It is never too early to get started on your estate plan. In fact, it is recommended to start estate planning as soon as you can. You can always change your estate plan if you change your mind.
Beginning the process early also gives you time to reflect on your goals, ask questions, and coordinate your planning with your broader financial picture. For example, if you own a business in Greene County or expect to inherit property, a proactive conversation with an estate planning attorney Springfield residents trust can help you align your documents with those future events instead of scrambling after something unexpected happens.
Please note: It is recommended that you update your estate plan after any major life changes, such as if you get married, have a child, or acquire property.
Major life events can also include moving to Missouri, buying or selling a company, or receiving a significant inheritance. Because Missouri law and local probate practices in courts such as the Greene County Circuit Court can affect how your wishes are carried out, revisiting your plan after these changes helps ensure that your documents are still current, enforceable, and reflect any new people or charities you want to include.
How Much Does Estate Planning Cost?
The cost of your estate plan will depend on how detailed you want it to be.
Based on your specific situation, an estate planning attorney can provide a wide range of services; most cost somewhere between a couple hundred dollars (very basic) and a couple thousand dollars (more advanced).
Several factors can influence the total cost of your plan, including:
- Type of documents you need, such as a simple will, one or more trusts, or business succession provisions.
- The complexity of your assets, including closely held businesses, multiple pieces of real estate, or property in more than one state.
- Your goals for control, such as placing conditions on inheritances or planning for potential long-term care needs.
- The level of tax planning required if you anticipate estate, gift, or generation-skipping transfer tax issues.
Cost can also vary depending on whether you need only core documents, such as a will and powers of attorney, or a more comprehensive plan that may include one or more trusts, business succession planning, or strategies to address potential estate tax exposure. A local estate planning lawyer Springfield families work with regularly can explain which level of planning makes sense for you so that you are not paying for documents or structures that you do not truly need.
To consult a Springfield estate planning lawyer, call (417) 670-2520 or contact us online today!
Related Reading:
- Beware of the Convenient Estate Plan
- The Importance of Estate Planning
- Estate Planning Amid the Coronavirus Outbreak
While our firm is based in Springfield, our estate planning attorneys proudly provide top-notch legal service to clients across Southwest Missouri. We offer cost-effective estate plans, as well as personable and reliable services to promptly address the needs of clients. Our clients range from those with simple needs to those who require protection from significant estate tax liability. So, no matter how little or much you own, if it is important to you, it is important to us.
Attorneys in Springfield, MO, Proudly Serving Clients for More Than a Century
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Our Highly Skilled Estate Planning Team Can Prepare You for the Future
While our firm is based in Springfield, our estate planning attorneys proudly provide top-notch legal service to clients across Southwest Missouri. We offer cost-effective estate plans, as well as personable and reliable services to promptly address the needs of clients. Our clients range from those with simple needs to those who require protection from significant estate tax liability. So, no matter how little or much you own, if it is important to you, it is important to us.
We also understand that many estates involve property, businesses, or family members spread across different parts of Missouri, including Springfield, Branson, and other communities in Greene County. By working with an estate attorney Springfield residents can rely on for comprehensive planning, you can coordinate how your assets will be managed, how your loved ones will be cared for, and how your wishes will be honored in local probate courts, all while having a single team guide you through each step.
To consult a Springfield estate planning lawyer, call (417) 670-2520 or contact us online today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need An Estate Plan If I Do Not Own Much Property?
Even if you have modest assets, an organized plan can make things much easier for the people close to you. Basic documents can address who should make medical decisions for you, who can handle your bills if you are unable to do so, and how personal items or small accounts should be distributed. Without this guidance, your family may have to go through additional court procedures in Greene County to get the authority they need.
How Often Should I Review My Estate Plan?
It is a good idea to review your plan every few years or whenever you experience a major change in your life. Events such as marriage, divorce, the birth or adoption of a child, or the sale of a business may all affect who you want to name in your documents and how you want to divide your assets. Regular reviews help ensure your documents stay current with your wishes and with any changes in Missouri law.
Can Estate Planning Help With Privacy Concerns?
Certain planning tools can reduce how much information about your assets becomes part of the public record. For example, using a trust for some types of property can keep details about those assets and your beneficiaries out of the filings made with the probate court in Springfield. We can explain how different approaches may affect your family’s privacy so you can choose the option that fits your comfort level.
