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 decisions. 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:
- Wills and Trusts
- 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, 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
Why Is Estate Planning Important?
We all need it. Those who fall into the following categories probably need it more:
- Whoever has assets, so they can ensure that these assets reach their intended beneficiaries;
- Any person with minor children, in order to name a guardian, conservator, or trustee if something were to happen to their parents.
- Those who wish to protect their beneficiaries from themselves;
- People who want to give specific amounts or percentages to family members
- Beneficiaries who are not family members;
- Those who wish to name their "significant other" as primary beneficiary, but are not legally married to that individual;
- Anyone with special guidelines or rules they want followed after they pass away, regarding their assets.
- Anyone who wishes to disinherit a child or close family member
- Whoever wishes to favor stepchildren in their estate planning
- Any person who has a split or blended family or has been married more than twice
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.
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.
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).
To consult a Springfield estate planning lawyer, call (417) 670-2520 today!
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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.
Attorneys in Springfield, MO, Proudly Serving Clients for More Than a Century
Committed to Helping Our Community Contact Neale & Newman
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Unique Blend of Experience & TechnologyAssisting our clients with a combination of deep experience and current technology.
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Comprehensive & Coordinated RepresentationProviding cost-effective, multifaceted representation for our clients on a wide range of legal matters.
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Generations of Service to Our Southwest Missouri NeighborsSupporting the legal needs of businesses and individuals since 1903.