If you knew you only had six months to live, what would be the first thing you'd do?

Would you quit your job to spend more time with your family? Set sail for a round-the-world cruise? Buy that fancy sports car you've always wanted? Before you answer, think about this. How often are you bewildered by the actions of our state legislature? Well, how would you like those same people deciding how your home, savings and other assets will be divided? That is exactly what happens when a person dies intestate (without a will). Without a will, your estate will be divided according to a state-drafted formula with no concern to the actual quality of the relationships you had with others in this life. Even if you are satisfied with the state plan, rest assured that you won’t be very happy with the resulting tax consequences.

Perhaps your ideas for succession are better suited to a trust instrument than to a traditional last will and testament. Or, perhaps you would like to explore the potential tax benefits of a living or revocable trust. Whether you choose a will or any one of numerous possible trust instruments, almost everyone can benefit from sound estate planning. And the law office of Richard L. Klauer can help. Richard’s estate planning practice is based on 30 years of personal relationships with the private and business communities throughout the Valley. In fact, most of our clients are referrals from other satisfied customers. And, when our clients call on us, they are not greeted as case numbers or files but as people we know and like and anticipate serving for many years to come. You would demand nothing less from your family physician or accountant. Why expect any less from your attorney? It not only makes for good legal practice, it's just good business.

If you don’t remember the last time you spoke with your attorney, he may not even remember you. You owe yourself more than a false sense of allegiance. Consider instead this the perfect time to enquire about a potential lifetime of quality, caring legal representation.

For a personal interview with Richard, contact the law office of Richard L. Klauer today at (602)230-1393, or email us at rlk@klauerlaw.com.