Practice Areas

Madison, Wisconsin, Will and Living Will Attorneys

One of the most common and familiar estate planning documents, a will instructs an executor or personal representative how to distribute you assets. At W.R. Stewart & Associates our experienced estate planning attorneys assist clients in drafting wills that accurately reflect their wishes.

Whether you need to draft a will for the first time or wish to update an existing will and estate plan, the firm's estate planning lawyers can help you understand the relevant issues and draft a will and estate plan which effectively protects your assets for the future benefit of your loved ones.

Wills: Protecting Your Assets

Contact the estate planning professionals at our Dane County law office for experienced legal advice regarding your will, including:

• Drafting simple or complex wills
• Creating a business continuity plan
• Addressing the proper execution of a will
• Revisiting a will at life changing moments

Our estate planning lawyers include specific language to diminish the likelihood of will contests or other potential problems in administering your estate. In addition to our preventative approach, we work with clients to develop a flexible estate plan using other estate planning tools such as trusts and guardianships page to protect the needs of minor children. No estate plan can accurately predict your changing needs and the ever-changing laws, however. Accordingly, we recommend that you review your estate plan at life changing events to confirm that the estate plan is still consistent with your intent.

More than a Simple Will 

In our experience, many new clients come to us believing they need just a "simple will." Although you may believe your estate planning needs to be straightforward, many times we recommend estate planning vehicles beyond simple wills in order to accomplish the objectives of our clients. For example, individuals or couples with minor children should consider a testamentary trust to hold and protect assets for the benefit of their children. Additionally, a revocable trust or living trust can be used to avoid or lessen the cost and delay of probate.

Health Care Power of Attorney and Living Wills

Commonly known as a living will, a health care directive or medical power of attorney is a legal instrument that allows you to leave explicit instructions about the type and extent of medical care you wish to receive when you are unable to speak for yourself, including who will oversee your treatment. A health care power of attorney, on the other hand, gives your health care agent the legal authority to make health care decisions on your behalf.

Not to be confused with a will that transfers assets after death, a living will allows you to direct your physicians in advance in the event of severe accident or debilitating disease. Our knowledgeable attorneys can help you draft an appropriate health care directive that will ensure you have a say in medical treatment you receive and accurately reflects your wishes.

Find Estate Planning Help Today

To learn more about establishing wills, living wills and other asset preservation tools, or to schedule a consultation with an estate planning lawyer, contact W.R. Stewart & Associates. S.C., today.