Probate & Estate Planning
Probate and Estate Planning Lawyers in St. Charles County
Estate planning is about more than planning for the efficient distribution of your assets to your heirs after your death. It's also about ensuring that your assets are protected and your wishes are carried out if you should become incapacitated while you are alive.
At the law firm of Ellinger & Associates in O'Fallon, Missouri, our attorneys help people at all stages of life complete estate plans to accomplish their goals. We also represent executors, administrators and heirs navigate the probate process.
Estate Planning Documents to Accomplish Your Goals
Our lawyers draft:
- Legal wills to name guardians for minor children and determine how your assets will be distributed after death
- Trusts to minimize estate taxes and enable your heirs to avoid the cost, delay and publicity of probate
- Powers of attorney to name a trusted person to handle your financial affairs if you are incapacitated
- Heath care directives to name a trusted person to make health care decisions for you if you are incapacitated. Your health care directive also allows you to tell your agent and doctors whether you want artificial life support if you are in a vegetative state.
- Prenuptial agreements to protect your assets entering a marriage
For blended families, the interests of the husband and wife may not be the same. For example, if a spouse dies, the husband could change the will and disinherit the wife's children from a prior marriage. Our lawyers will advise you in ways to protect your interests and your heirs' interests.
Our lawyers can put you in control of the distribution of your assets and minimize taxes paid to the government by carefully planning the management and eventual distribution of your assets.
Representing Executors and Heirs
Our attorneys guide executors and administrators through the Missouri probate process and ensure that all steps are taken to minimize personal liability of the executor. We also represent heirs in issues such as will contests and removal of executors or administrators who misuse estates.
Free Attorney Consultation
To discuss your estate planning or probate case with one of our lawyers, call 888-525-7237 toll free or fill out the contact form on this site. From our offices in St. Louis and O'Fallon, we serve clients throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area, including St. Louis County, St. Charles County and other communities west of the Missouri River.
