An estate plan is not just your trust or your will. It is a complete set of tools used to control what will happen to you and your assets when you are no longer able to make those decisions for yourself. A well-designed and maintained set of tools will make the implementation of your wishes much more simple. These types of tools include revocable living trusts, powers of attorney, wills and advanced health care directives.

A quality estate plan will meet your needs today, implement tax planning strategies appropriate for your current situation and set the foundation for future revisions as your family and financial situations change over the years.

A qualified estate planning attorney is an integral part of a successful estate plan. You need an attorney who:

• listens to you and makes you feel comfortable talking about your family and financial issues,
• makes estate planning simple to understand,
• is a certified estate planning specialist who can ensure your wishes are carried out.

How to Choose an Estate Planning Attorney

Choosing an estate planning attorney is a very important and a very personal decision. The attorney you choose should be a State Bar Certified Specialist in Probate, Estate Planning, and Trust Law, and should carry -- at minimum -- $2 million of professional liability insurance. He or she should specialize in estate planning and trust law; an attorney singularly focused in this practice area will have the most up-to-date knowledge of the issues that could affect you and your heirs. Here is a list of the five most common mistakes that people make is selecting an attorney.

You'll also want to find someone that you feel comfortable talking to -- someone you can trust. Finally, you want a firm that will be there in the future for your heirs. Generations will help your family make informed decisions from one generation to the next.

Generations is the Sacramento region's premier law firm specializing in estate planning, trusts and elder law with an expert team of attorneys that provide comprehensive and individualized counsel and advice. Generations is invested in your future and your family's future. When you or your family experience any life changes, we are here... and we'll be here as long as you need us.