Manchester, NH Estate Planning Attorney

Estate planning can be stressful. Between the discomfort of contemplating your own demise, the worry about the specifics of how your assets will be transferred, and the emotional burden of family politics, it can be overwhelming to work through on your own. That’s where an experienced estate planning attorney can make all the difference. Whether you’re writing a first will or updating an elaborate trust, your attorney can guide you through the process and help to make a stressful process into a satisfying one.

A well-designed estate plan can make all the difference in offering you and your family peace of mind. At Shaheen & Gordon, we offer decades of experience in creating trusts, building comprehensive estate plans, and family business succession. Contact us to discuss your needs and take your next steps toward a more stable and organized future for your loved ones. 

We are a full-service law firm focused on helping those in New Hampshire

With deep roots in our local communities, Shaheen & Gordon offers a wealth of experience in a range of legal practice areas. Since our founding in Dover and Concord in 1981, our thorough understanding of the law and court system has allowed us to grow and establish offices across northern New England and beyond. Our knowledge of local laws helps inform our approach to trusts and estates, so we can offer you informed guidance as you build out your plans.

When we assist you in estate planning, probate litigation, and estate administration, you can expect the following:

•   We answer your questions: You can ask about any unusual circumstances you may have and how the law will affect them. We believe you should be fully informed so you can make the best decisions.
•   We manage the paperwork and filing tasks: After we have helped you create an appropriately-tailored plan, you can relax while we prepare the paperwork and ensure it is legally binding.
•   We make sure you’re confident in your plan: You will receive a final copy of your will and other estate planning documents for your records, so you can be secure in the knowledge that your loved ones will know what to do after your death.
•   We work with you to make adjustments as your life changes: Buying or selling property, opening a business, having children, or getting married or divorced can all require changes to your estate plan. Your estate planning attorney is ready to work with you to account for these changes.

Whether you are planning your own estate or dealing with the death of a loved one, our team works with clients to manage powers of attorney, trust administration, asset division, and avoid probate when possible. We support individuals and families during the difficult time following a death, and can help ease the legal concerns around distributing property according to the deceased’s family member’s wishes. 

Your legal options as someone going through the estate planning process in Manchester

Although you’re taking steps to secure your legacy, an estate plan isn’t etched in stone. It can grow and change as you do, to accurately reflect your hopes and desires. You may wish to designate who receives certain real estate or establish a trust that provides for an annual charitable gift for a cause you care about. You may also set aside funding in a trust to handle long-term health care needs for you, your spouse, or dependent children. Throughout the planning process, you have options:

Shaheen & Gordon crafts tailored solutions to your unique estate planning situation

No matter your financial situation or the value of your assets, it’s beneficial to work with a Manchester estate planning lawyer to build a plan for the future. During your initial consultation, we will assess the approach that may work best for you, and then put together a customized estate plan.

If you own a family business, for instance, we can draw upon our background in business and corporate law to ensure that your succession plan will allow your company to continue to do right by your family members and employees. Whether you’re protecting your long-held company against a loss of leadership or simply making sure your family isn’t put into debt by the cost of your funeral, a tailored estate plan is a valuable asset for anyone to have. As we build your estate plan, we may recommend a number of tools, such as:

•   Wills: As the basis of your estate plan, your will establishes your beneficiaries, executor or personal representative, and wishes for minor children. It is your final message to your loved ones regarding your wishes and provides legal guidance for the administration of your estate.
•   Trusts: Trusts may be revocable, irrevocable, special needs, or charitable, and provide stronger protections for managing and transferring property and funds. We can guide you through choosing trustees and helping those individuals administer the trust after your death.
•   Powers of attorney: These documents allow you to temporarily or permanently designate someone to manage your affairs in the event you are incapacitated or pass away. They can involve healthcare, financial, and other decisions.
•   Probate management: Even with a will and trusts, some of your property may go through the probate process. Our team will assist your personal representative with tax forms, inventories, asset maintenance, and distribution to beneficiaries.

Our client testimonials tell the story of our experience and dedication

Estate planning requires a great level of compassion and care, supporting clients as they address end-of-life concerns to protect their loved ones’ interests. We are proud of our client testimonials illustrating our commitment to their needs.