An estate planner or an estate planning lawyer can serve a variety of functions.  The most obvious and basic is the creation of a will or trust, but the abilities of an estate planner extend far beyond this, as they can provide comprehensive wealth managment and financial organization. 

The first thing to realize is that nearly everyone needs estate planning, though many do not have it.  If you 1) are the parent of minor children, 2) have property that is important to you, or 3) care about your health care, then you should have an estate plan. The reason for hiring an estate planner becomes clear once you realize the important of estate planning.

Estate planning is the process by which you reach a comprehensive plan regarding your finances, your family, and the future, based upon your personal wishes.  As such, an effective estate plan necessarily involves working with a skilled estate planner who can help you thoroughly consider the possibilities, alternatives, and most legally effective way in which to implenment your specific wishes, should something happens to you or your loved ones.

There are two sides to estate planning: personal and financial, and an estate planner can help you with both. An effective estate plan coordinates all aspects of your financial life; that is, what would happen with your home, your investments, your business, your life insurance, your employee benefits (such as a 401(K) plan), and other assets, in the event you became disabled or die. One of the main effects of estate planning is to minimize the impact of potential taxes and fees on your assets. Estate planning also establishes contingency planning, to ensure that your wishes regarding health care treatment are followed.

An effective estate plan will also include directions to carry out your wishes regarding health care matters, so that if you are ever unable to give the directives yourself, a person that you trust and chose yourself would do that for you, and know when you would want them to authorize heroic measures and when you would prefer they pull the plug.

An estate planner protects the hard-earned wealth of his clients, from investment financial planning to organizing business and personal finances. An estate planner must be skilled and experienced in the areas of probate, gift taxes, inheritance taxes, dynasty trusts, and investment planning, as well as be familiar with the tax laws of your state. 
An estate planner is able to provide guidance in the creation of living wills and power of attorneys, as well as trust planning, asset protection planning, inheritance rights, special needs trusts, and IRA and 401(K) planning.

If you need the advice of a New Jersey estate planner, contact the estate planning law firm of Thomas J. Clarke today.