Estate Planning & Litigation
A carefully constructed well thought-out Estate Plan is best made when there are no impending crises. The plan should cover your current and foreseeable living conditions. Our office meets with you, obtains all necessary information regarding your living conditions and finances and then makes recommendations based upon your needs and objectives. The office of Mark H. Weiss sends out drafts of the documents, gives you an opportunity to review and then we review them with you in the office so that you understand the documents before you sign them. An Estate Plan should be adjusted periodically to reflect changes in your financial, families or health circumstances or upon material changes in the law. Ideally it enables your personal representatives to pass on your assets to your children, family, charities or other beneficiaries without great delay, cost or controversy. It should take into account any Special Needs of any family members.

Medicaid Planning & Applications

Often Medicaid Planning will be conducted as part of your Estate Plan.
Whether you are planning early or at time of family crisis, our office will guide you through the available options to achieve the best result under the circumstances.

Asset Protection
This Trust is irrevocable and used to protect assets from a Nursing Home. This type of Trust is often used to protect your home or other property. This type of Trust represents a transfer and careful planning and timing is required. An outright transfer of your home to a child or children, particularly if they don’t reside there as their principal residence, can cause large capital gain tax and termination of real estate tax exemptions.

Guardianship
A Guardianship Proceeding may be required for an individual who is unable to make personal or financial decisions. Typically the Guardianship is required where the individual did not or would not execute a valid Durable Power of Attorney when they did possess capacity.

Probate & Administration of Estates
Probate is required to approve a Will, and to appoint an executor as Legal Representative of the Estate. Once appointed an executor has the responsibility to marshal and collect assets, pay bills, taxes and obligations from Estate assets and to distribute the assets in accordance with the terms of the Will.

Personal Injury
When a family member is seriously injured by the negligence or reckless conduct of others, we can assist you in securing a recovery of money damages.

Real Estate
Our office prepares deeds when Real Property is being transferred in accordance with Estate Plans. If Real Property is to be sold, our office can provide the legal services required. If the real estate has been the subject of an Estate Plan, we are in the best position of taking those steps necessary to have a smooth closing of title.