I Am Committed To Serving Your Family

Many people make the mistake of thinking they don’t have enough assets to need an estate plan. Most of those people are wrong. Even if you don’t have millions in the stock market to pass on to your family, you may have more than you realize. Think about your home and other property, including cars and RVs; you may have an insurance policy or a 401(k) at work. Perhaps you have a valuable family heirloom.

Without a will or a trust, the state decides how those assets are divided, not you. I am Kalamazoo attorney Gary Tibble, and I understand the importance of ensuring that you control exactly how the assets you spent a lifetime accumulating are shared with loved ones. I have over three decades of experience in estate planning, helping clients carry out their final wishes.

Common Estate Planning Tools

As your lawyer, I will listen to your unique needs and goals as we work together to draft a personalized estate plan. Wills and trusts are two tools used in estate planning; depending on your situation, you may use either one or the other or a combination of the two.

There is a common misperception that if you have a will, you can avoid the probate process. That is not usually the case. Trusts, on the other hand, do avoid a probate court filing and are private. A knowledgeable attorney can advise you on what documents are right for your needs.

There are other important components of a complete estate plan such as a health care power of attorney, a living will (also known as an advance health care directive) and a financial power of attorney. These legal documents protect you and give your loved ones comfort knowing they are carrying out your wishes.

Start Planning Today

Having a well-crafted estate plan in place will give you peace of mind knowing that your loved ones are taken care of. Call me at Tibble Law Office, P.C., at 269-775-5145 to start your planning today, or reach out online.