Estate Planning Attorney in Nashua

Planning for the future isn’t always easy, but it is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your loved ones, assets, and legacy. At Shaheen & Gordon, P.A., we help individuals and families in Nashua and across New Hampshire navigate the estate planning process with confidence, clarity, and compassion. Whether you’re creating a simple will or building a comprehensive estate plan, a skilled estate planning attorney in Nashua will be there to guide you through each step of the process.

Estate planning isn’t just about what happens after you’re gone; it’s about being able to rest easy today. With proper planning, you can gain peace of mind knowing that your wishes will be honored and your family will be cared for when the time comes.

Shaheen & Gordon, P.A. has local strength with a statewide impact

Shaheen & Gordon, P.A. combines the power of a full-service law firm with the care and personal touch of a local practice. With offices throughout New Hampshire and northern New England, including right here in Nashua, we bring over four decades of legal experience to Hillsborough County residents. Our firm is well known for handling complex matters skillfully, and our estate planning attorneys are no exception.
Our team understands Nashua and its surrounding communities’ unique legal landscape. We’ve worked with clients across the county, from professionals and small business owners to retirees and young families, helping them tailor estate plans that match their values and goals. Because we know the local courts, rules, and legal professionals, we can provide more efficient and effective representation, minimizing stress and maximizing results. We’re here to help whether you’re planning your estate for the first time or updating a plan after a major life event.

Navigating your estate planning options in Nashua

As a New Hampshire resident, you can control how your property is distributed after your death. Estate planning ensures that your intentions are legally recognized and your family is protected from unnecessary complications. Under New Hampshire law, your estate may be subject to probate unless you take proactive steps to direct the transfer of your assets. You have these rights:

The right to name beneficiaries for your assets, including real estate, investments, and personal property

The right to nominate guardians for your minor children

The right to choose an executor for your estate

The right to designate agents for powers of attorney and advance healthcare directives

The right to avoid unnecessary taxes, fees, and probate delays

The right to ensure charitable donations or special gifts are fulfilled according to your wishes

If you die without a valid will or estate plan, your estate will be handled under New Hampshire’s intestacy laws, which may not reflect your preferences. That’s why creating a plan with an experienced estate planning attorney is essential.

We provide proven guidance and trusted results

When it comes to something as personal and lasting as estate planning, experience matters. At Shaheen & Gordon, we stand out among other local law firms and have earned the trust of Nashua families by delivering results that reflect what matters most to them. Here’s what they have to say about our experienced estate planning attorneys:

“I just wanted to reach out and say thank you! I have been putting off this process because I felt like it was going to be so overwhelming, but you made it extremely easy to understand and were so easy to communicate with!! It is like a huge weight lifted off my shoulders!”

- Brianna.

“I just want to thank you for making this process so much easier than I thought it would be. You cared and that really was very important to me and I knew I was in good hands. You would come highly recommended to family and friends.”

- Ramona.

“Many thanks to you for a wonderful job and all the great support during a challenging time for my family.”

- Liz.

We’ll help you navigate the path forward and understand the legal process

Estate administration and planning isn’t just about preparing documents. It’s a thoughtful process that involves careful consideration, reflection, strategy, and legal precision. Our estate planning attorneys in Nashua, NH will walk you through every phase:

Initial consultation: This crucial first step involves meeting with one of our estate planning attorneys to discuss your goals, assets, family situation, and concerns.
Information gathering: We’ll work with you to gather relevant information about your assets, insurance policies, and beneficiary designations.
Document drafting: Based on our discussions and the information gathered, we’ll draft the necessary legal documents. These may include a will, trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and other instruments tailored to your needs and objectives.
Review and signing: We’ll carefully review all drafted documents with you, ensuring you understand each provision and its implications. Once you’re satisfied, we’ll guide you through the proper signing and witnessing procedures to ensure the legal validity of your documents under New Hampshire law.

Updates: We’ll provide continued support to keep your plan current after significant life events occur, such as marriage, divorce, the birth of children, and changes in financial status.

What your dedicated advocates at Shaheen & Gordon, P.A. will do for you

Our estate planning lawyers offer a full range of estate planning services to meet the diverse needs of our Nashua clients, including:

Wills: A foundational tool for directing asset distribution and appointing guardians
Trusts: Revocable and irrevocable trusts to avoid probate, manage taxes, or support loved ones
Trust administration: Helping trustees manage and distribute trust assets properly and lawfully
Powers of attorney: Legal authority for a trusted person to act on your behalf during incapacity
Advance directives: Written instructions for medical care during serious illness or incapacity
Guardianship designations: Naming trusted individuals to care for your minor children
Special needs planning: Strategies to provide for loved ones with disabilities without affecting benefits
Medicaid planning: Preserving assets while planning for long-term care eligibility
Estate tax planning: Strategies to minimize estate taxes
Business succession planning: Transition planning for family-owned and closely held businesses
Asset protection planning: Safeguarding assets from creditors or future liabilities
Real estate transfers: Ensuring property is titled properly and aligned with your estate plan
Charitable giving plans: Incorporating philanthropy into your estate with tax-smart structures

Probate avoidance: Reducing probate court involvement through trusts and beneficiary designations

We handle many types of Nashua estate planning matters

Each client has different priorities, and we’re equipped to handle them all. Some of the most common estate planning matters we handle in Nashua include:

First-time estate planning for young families
Planning for blended families or second marriages
Special needs trusts for children or adults with disabilities
Elder law planning, including Medicaid qualification
Updating comprehensive estate plans after divorce or remarriage
Trusts for pets or unique family heirlooms
Probate avoidance strategies
High-net-worth estate tax planning

We provide clear solutions that fit your life, no matter the complexity of your situation.

What you should know about estate planning in Nashua

No state estate tax: New Hampshire doesn’t impose a state-level estate or inheritance tax. However, the federal estate tax may apply to estates exceeding $13,990,000 (in 2024). State estate taxes in other states may apply if you own real estate in those states.
Wills must be witnessed: For a will to be valid, it must be signed by the testator in the presence of two witnesses.
Trusts are a popular tool: Many families use revocable living trusts to avoid probate and maintain privacy.
NH honors healthcare directives: New Hampshire recognizes living wills and durable powers of attorney for healthcare decisions.

Probate is public and can be time-consuming: Even relatively modest estates can take months to settle if no plan is in place.

Contact our estate planning lawyers serving Nashua today

Estate planning isn’t just about what you leave behind—it’s about how you live today, knowing your affairs are in order and your family is protected. Shaheen & Gordon’s estate planning attorneys take the time to understand your hopes for your family and craft a plan that honors your wishes, values, and vision for the future.

Whether you’re creating your first will, managing a complex trust, or navigating estate planning for aging parents, we’re here with the local insight and legal skill to guide you through. Contact us today at (800) 451-1002 or online to schedule a consultation and begin building your legacy.

Nashua families’ frequently asked questions about estate planning

What is probate?

Probate is the court-supervised process of administering an estate after someone dies. It involves validating the will, appointing an executor, paying debts and taxes, and distributing assets to beneficiaries.

Do I need a will if I already have a trust?

Yes. A will can still serve as a safety net for assets not titled in your trust and allow you to appoint guardians for minor children.

What happens if I die without a will in New Hampshire?

Most assets without beneficiary designations or joint holders will go through intestate succession, meaning the state decides who inherits based on a fixed formula, which may not be aligned with your preferences.

Who should I choose as my executor or trustee?

You should choose someone you trust, who is organized and responsible, and who you believe will be able to handle the administrative tasks involved. Consider their availability and willingness to serve.

How often should I update my estate plan?

You should review and update your estate plan periodically, especially after significant life events such as marriage, divorce, birth of children, death of a beneficiary or executor, or significant changes in your financial situation or the law.

What’s the difference between a power of attorney and a healthcare directive?

A power of attorney appoints someone to manage your financial affairs. A healthcare directive names someone to make medical decisions if you can’t.

Can I leave money to a charity in my estate plan?

Absolutely. You can include charitable gifts in your will or trust and may even establish a charitable trust for tax benefits.

Local resources for families in Nashua

Shaheen & Gordon, P.A.

191 Main Street

Nashua, NH 03060

(800) 451-1002

Hillsborough County Probate Court

The Hillsborough County Probate Court oversees probate matters, including the administration of estates and trusts. Their website provides information on court procedures, forms, and contact details.