Wills & Trusts

Will and Trust Attorney Lake Ozark, MO

Wills and trusts are critical components of any estate plan in Missouri. They can help you disperse your assets according to your wishes, provide for your family after you’re gone, minimize their tax burden, avoid potential conflicts, and safeguard your legacy. Implemented effectively, these instruments cement in place what you’ve spent a lifetime building.

At Martin & Birdsong, we take pride in developing tailored wills and trusts that give our clients the peace of mind that comes from knowing their family’s future is secure. Let us help you make the most of these crucial estate planning tools and build the legacy you deserve. Contact us today to speak with a will and trust attorney serving Lake of the Ozarks, Columbia, and the entire mid-Missouri region, and let us plan ahead, together.

Why Are Wills and Trusts Important?

Creating a will or trust is an empowering step toward securing your legacy and ensuring your wishes are honored. It’s not just about sorting possessions or deciding who inherits what; it’s about taking charge of your assets, choosing guardians for your children, and providing peace of mind to your loved ones during a challenging time.

Without a will or trust, Missouri’s laws will take over, potentially in violation of your personal desires. Estate planning is essential for everyone—not just the wealthy. If you have property, children, and values you want to protect, crafting the legal estate planning documents to do so is an absolutely critical task. At Martin & Birdsong, we prioritize the unique needs of families in the Lake of the Ozarks, Columbia, and surrounding areas by simplifying the estate planning process and providing our clients with the peace of mind that comes from knowing what the future holds in store.

Creating an estate plan can be a complex task. Our experienced attorneys at Martin & Birdsong can guide you through the process, ensuring your wishes are carried out. Consulting with an experienced attorney is essential to protect your assets and loved ones.

Please contact us at (573) 348-4500 to discuss how we can help.

Understanding Wills

A will is a legal document that outlines your wishes for your property and any minor children. Here’s what you can expect to achieve with a will:

Protecting Property: Asset distribution is often the first consideration regarding wills. A will lets you specify who receives what, ensuring that your money, property, and personal belongings are distributed exactly as you wish.
Choosing Guardians: If you have kids under 18, creating a will allows you to appoint a guardian to care for them. This crucial step ensures you have a say in who will look after your children if the unexpected happens. It’s a powerful—and important— way to protect your family.
Naming a Personal Representative: The personal representative, or executor of your will, is the person who will handle the administrative side of things. They’ll work with your attorney to carry out your wishes and manage any financial or legal issues that may arise. Choosing a reliable executor is critical to keep everything running smoothly.

At Martin & Birdsong, we take the time to walk our clients through each step, answering questions and making sure they feel comfortable with every choice they make. If you live in the Lake of the Ozarks area, we’re here to make this process as clear and straightforward as possible.

Taking the Next Step With Trusts

If you own more substantial assets or have more specific goals in mind, trusts offer flexibility that can benefit you and your loved ones both during your lifetime and after it. Trusts come in various forms, each tailored to meet specific needs. Some allow you to avoid the lengthy, public, and costly probate process, while others help you reduce the tax burden on your survivors or plan for more specific contingencies.

Here’s an overview of some common trust types to help you understand the best fit for your situation.

Revocable living trusts are a popular choice in estate planning because they provide flexibility and control. The term “revocable” indicates that you can change or even cancel the trust at any time. While you are alive, you retain full control over any assets placed in the trust. Upon your passing, these assets automatically transfer to your chosen beneficiaries without the need for probate—the probate court process can be slow and expensive.
An irrevocable trust cannot be altered once it is established. When you place assets in an irrevocable trust, you relinquish legal control over them, which may seem intimidating at first. However, this type of trust offers benefits such as tax savings and protection from creditors, making it a wise choice for those wishing to minimize stress and expense for their loved ones.
Specialized trusts are created to accomplish specific needs. For example, a Spendthrift Trust protects beneficiaries who may have difficulty managing their finances. A Special Needs Trust provides ongoing support for loved ones with disabilities while preserving their eligibility for government assistance. These specialized trusts allow you to customize your estate plan to address the unique situations of your family members, ensuring they receive the care and support they need.

Trusts are complex legal instruments, but with the support of Martin & Birdsong, you have a local legal team that understands your unique needs and financial considerations. We are here to guide you through the best options to create a trust that aligns with your goals and offers peace of mind for you and your loved ones.

The Martin & Birdsong Approach to Wills and Trusts

At Martin & Birdsong, we understand the unique needs, priorities, and concerns that families in the Lake of the Ozarks and Columbia areas have. For many, protecting their homes, maintaining family harmony, and ensuring that assets are passed down smoothly are essential goals. We understand that each family’s situation varies, so we approach every client relationship with care. We focus on creating customized estate plans tailored to their needs.

Our commitment to clear and transparent communication is at the heart of our approach. We know that legal processes can often feel intimidating, which is why we prioritize explaining every detail in simple, straightforward language—avoiding confusing legal jargon so that you to feel fully informed and comfortable at every step. With Martin & Birdsong, estate planning is clear, accessible, and tailored to meet your family’s needs.

How Martin & Birdsong Can Help Lake of the Ozarks Residents

With our deep understanding of Missouri’s estate laws and strong connection to the Lake of the Ozarks and Columbia communities, Martin & Birdsong is well-positioned to provide you with the guidance and help you need as you plan for the future. We are prepared to:

Sit down with you and have in-depth conversations about your concerns and estate planning goals
Advise you on the specific tools that can help you accomplish those goals
Draft the documents that create your wills and trusts and confirm that they are legally enforceable
Aid with the ongoing administration of trusts as needed
Help you update documents as possible so that they remain in accordance with your changing wishes

Schedule a Consultation With Our Will and Trust Attorney Team

Whether you’re starting from scratch or revisiting an existing estate plan, Martin & Birdsong is here to help you prepare for the future with optimism and confidence. We understand that planning for the distribution of your assets and the care of your loved ones is not always the most pleasant thing to consider, but we want to make it as easy for you as possible. Call us at 573-262-9221 or fill out our contact form to schedule a consultation with our will and trust attorneys serving Lake of the Ozarks, Columbia, and the entire mid-Missouri region. Let’s talk about building the legacy you deserve.

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