Wills and Trusts

Clear Planning for Your Family and Your Future

When most people think about estate planning, they think about wills and trusts—and for good reason. These documents form the foundation of a plan that protects your family, your assets, and your wishes.

At Dublin Packard Elder and Estate Attorneys, we help individuals and families create wills and trusts that are thoughtful, practical, and tailored to real life—not generic forms or templates.

When Wills & Trusts Matter

You may benefit from wills and trust planning if you:

  • Want to decide who receives your assets and when

  • Have children, grandchildren, or dependents

  • Own a home, business, or significant assets

  • Want to avoid unnecessary court involvement

  • Are concerned about incapacity or long-term care

  • Want to reduce the risk of family conflict

Even simple situations benefit from clear planning.

Wills

A will allows you to:

  • Name who inherits your assets

  • Appoint guardians for minor children

  • Choose an executor to carry out your wishes

  • Provide instructions for final matters

Without a will, state law—not you—controls these decisions.

Trusts

Trusts offer additional flexibility and protection. Depending on your goals, a trust may:

  • Avoid or simplify probate

  • Provide ongoing management of assets

  • Protect beneficiaries who need assistance

  • Coordinate planning for incapacity

  • Help address long-term care and asset protection concerns

Not everyone needs the same type of trust. We help you understand what fits your situation.

Common Mistakes We See

  • Relying on online forms or outdated documents

  • Assuming a will alone avoids probate

  • Creating trusts without coordinating assets

  • Naming decision-makers without preparation

  • Failing to update plans as life changes

Well-drafted documents only work when they are properly designed and maintained.

How Wills & Trusts Fit With Other Planning

Wills and trusts are often the starting point for:

  • Estate Planning, which coordinates the full picture

  • Asset Protection, to safeguard wealth

  • Long-Term Care and Medicaid Planning, as needs evolve

  • Elder Law, when planning for aging or incapacity

Many clients begin with wills and trusts and expand their planning over time.

Let’s Build the Right Foundation

Wills and trusts are too important to leave to guesswork or generic forms.

If you’re ready to put a plan in place—or want to review documents you already have—we’re here to help you create clarity and peace of mind.

As a first step, schedule a brief introductory phone call.  In this 20-minute phone call, you will provide a brief overview of your needs, and we will let you know how we can help.