Pardalis Law, LLC

I focus on a common sense approach to basic estate plannin">Why Do People Not Plan Ahead?

It is very common for people to not be prepared with basic estate documents. Some people have not updated their documents in a very long time. Why is this? Many people do not know where to start or how to best select from all of the available options. Most people want no part of a lawyer’s office. Some people don’t know who they can trust or what to ask for.


A People-Focused Approach

The law allows you to make nearly every important decision far before it is ever necessary, so why not take advantage of it now so that you and your loved ones don’t have to worry in the future? No law offices, no getting taken advantage of. No hourly billing or over the top costs. I will come to you, sit down, and have a conversation. I will explain in detail the documents I prepare, the options available to you, and what the realistic outcomes are of the decisions that you make. This is not an appointment, it is a consultation in pressure-free environment to help you make these decisions with ease and care.


Documents Included in Package

1. Simple Will

A Simple Will allows you to determine the disbursement of your property. It includes monetary, real property (real estate), and personal property distribution. This document allows for general gifts and individual gifts with conditions (e.g. held in trust solely for education or until an individual reaches a certain age). A Simple Will also permits appointment of a Funeral Agent with authority to plan and execute your final wishes and appointment of an Executor to handle your Estate.

2. Power of Attorney (POA)

A Power of Attorney is a document that allows you to appoint an individual to handle all of your affairs and can be one of two types:

Springing POA:
This is a POA that only takes effect upon the determination by a physician of your choosing that you lack the ability (either mentally or physically) to make competent decisions. In the event this happens it protects you by allowing a person of your choosing to manage your important affairs.

Durable POA:
This POA has all of the same protections of a Springing POA, but takes place immediately and without the requirement of a physician determination.


3. Living Will

A Living Will allows you to make medical decisions now about how you want to be treated in the future. Again, a Living Will can be one of two types:

Proxy Directive:
This allows you to appoint one person to make medical decisions for you in the event that you are unable to make such decisions. It allows for limited instructions but for the most part you are appointing one person who is familiar with your wishes to make decisions.

Instruction Directive:
This allows you to make decisions now in a more specific manner (e.g. how you would like to be treated in certain situations).


4. Document Preparation

One of the most difficult tasks for your loved ones is locating the necessary documents in a time of need. I will provide a list/description of the documents you should keep in one place and storage for these documents to make it as easy as possible for your loved ones to locate later.


In short, I will help you prepare the basic documents that you can use to make decisions now so that there is much less stress later. I will help make the process as smooth as possible and I will sit down with you and explain in detail all of your options.

For this basic package of documents the fee is $500 plus costs (these are minimal if any and include a possible recording fee or a fee for any mailing).