We don’t have a crystal ball. We don’t know what twists and turns life may bring. What we do know is that failing to have the proper planning in place can lead to unintended results for you and your family. Unlike other areas of the law, you must be proactive with estate planning.
We are an award-winning Burnsville, Minnesota Estate Planning Law Firm. We prepare Wills, Trusts, Health Care Directives, Powers of Attorney, and other estate planning documents to protect your loved ones. We also handle probate and trust administration matters in Dakota County and the greater Twin Cities metro area. Contact our office today to discuss the specifics of your personal situation.
If you are single, then you are in good company. According to the most recent U.S. Census, more than half of all adult Americans are single, too. Whether you just turned 18 or are 118 one thing you share with your married counterparts is the need for essential estate planning.
Even if you do not have two dimes to rub together, you are your estate. Did you know the law requires every adult American to make his or her own personal, financial and health care decisions? Who would make your basic decisions if you are legally incapacitated due to a serious injury or illness?
With each marriage come new rights and new responsibilities. If you already have an estate plan created when you were single, then you must bring your estate plan up-to-code to reflect your wedding vows.
Unfortunately, many married couples mistakenly believe that they can make personal, health care and financial decisions for one another should either spouse become legally incapacitated due to a serious injury or illness. Nothing could be further from reality!
Are you the parent of minor children? If yes, then they are your most valuable treasure. So, what arrangements have you made for their care should something happen to you and their other parent?
As with your own personal, health care and financial decisions, would you rather select the guardians (i.e., back-up parents) yourself, or let a probate judge make the selection without your input? Only through proper legal planning can you select the guardians.
There are two critical choices commonly faced by parents of minor children. First, who will take care of my minor children, if orphaned, and, second, who will manage their inheritance?
Times have changed. In the new millennium, whether due to the death of a spouse or through divorce, blended families now outnumber traditional nuclear families. And the number is likely to grow, based on current statistics and trends.
Many blended families face unique social, psychological and economic challenges. As a result, over 60% of second marriages end in divorce. Fortunately, there are numerous organizations and support groups dedicated to helping blended families with these challenges.
Are you between age 40 and 55? If yes, then congratulations. Research has shown that you are in your peak earning years. And that is a very good thing.
Chances are good that you have some expensive life events going on right now, unlike when you were among the Married Couples without children. Do you have children who are college-bound or already there? Do you have a wedding scheduled (or one or more down the road)? Perhaps you are beginning to help aging parents with personal, health care and financial responsibilities.
Just a moment ago you were in the thick of your busy, busy Peak Earning Years. Now, you can see a new adventure is rapidly approaching your front windshield. What is it?
Retirement.
Are you getting ready?
Chances are good that your children have left the nest. Perhaps you are assisting your aging parents with their personal, health care and financial responsibilities.
You have arrived. Just a moment ago you were Nearing Retirement. When did you get to this place in life so quickly? Yikes, what do you need to do right now in preparation for that day?
Retirement.
Congratulations!
This is often an exciting, yet bittersweet time of life.
Chances are good that all of your children have left the nest with lives and growing families of their own. If they are living, perhaps you are becoming parents to your parents (or the surviving parent) just like their parents before them.
Whether due to divorce or death, you are now Single Again.
You may have children and even grandchildren. In any event, you need to create (or revisit) your estate plan.
Did you know the law requires every adult American to make his or her own personal, financial and health care decisions? Now that you are single again, who would make your basic decisions if you are legally incapacitated due to a serious injury or illness?
Unless you legally appoint the decision-maker of your own selection in advance through proper estate planning, then a probate judge will select one for you.
EXCELLENTBased on 61 reviewsMichael DeVetterJune 15, 2024Great experience. We have been working with Zach for over five years now and greatly appreciate his patience and knowledge when working with us.Chris PottsJune 13, 2024Can't say enough about working with Zach at Gold Leaf. He was patient, knowledgeable and did a great job of revising our estate documents. We got exactly what we needed without delay. I'd definitely recommend Gold Leaf to others.Sheri LechnerJune 11, 2024My husband and I knew we were long overdue to “get our affairs in order “. I did a google search for Estate Planning in Savage MN and found Gold Leaf Estate Planning LLC. Zach made the process so easy. He was friendly and patient, explaining complex concepts as often as necessary for us to understand. I highly recommend this business for Estate Planning.Rebecca LeachJune 10, 2024Working with Zach was a pleasure! He is very thorough, explains everything clearly, answers all your questions and makes you feel at ease. Very professional and personable and I would highly recommend him for estate planning!Darlene MechJune 3, 2024Zach Wiegand is a very knowledgeable, efficient, thorough attorney. Who makes you feel very comfortable talking about death and dying. A great sense of humor and gives great suggestions on very overwhelming, confusing subject matter. His staff also is very efficient. Highly recommended him and his team for estate planning. We are so glad we had Zach to guide us through this process. Wally and DarleneWendy LehnenMay 23, 2024Zach was very easy to work with. He talked us through the whole process and explained each step in language we could understand. Zach is extremely knowledgeable and he made the process easy for us to navigate. We highly recommend him to anyone looking to develop a personal will or trust.Joan OlsonMay 5, 2024We recently worked with Zachary Wiegand at Gold Leaf Estate Planning and are very pleased with his work. Zach has a thorough understanding of estate planning and was very helpful in guiding us through the process of creating a trust. He was always available to answer our questions and we are very happy with the outcome. We highly recommend Gold Leaf and Zach for your estate planning needs.Cynthia ClayApril 16, 2024Just finished setting up our family trust with Mr Weigand. He was very professional and easy to work with. We highly recommend his services! We feel much better knowing our assets are protected. Thanks Zach!Ric MoulzolfApril 12, 2024Zach is very professional, easy to work with.helped us to make all our estate planning,with the best,complete plan for all our needs.we are very happy with him and gold leaf estate planning
3000 County Road 42 W. Suite 310
Burnsville, MN 55337