{"id":12089,"date":"2026-02-19T08:10:47","date_gmt":"2026-02-19T14:10:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.stephensfiddesmcgill.com\/?page_id=12089"},"modified":"2026-02-19T08:44:34","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T14:44:34","slug":"trust-and-estates","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.stephensfiddesmcgill.com\/practice-areas\/trust-and-estates\/","title":{"rendered":"Trusts & Estates"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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practice area<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Trusts & Estates Attorneys<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"image-of-Trusts-&-Estates\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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A trusts and estates attorney helps individuals legally protect their assets, plan for incapacity, and ensure property is distributed according to their wishes after death. Proper planning reduces disputes, protects beneficiaries, and minimizes unnecessary court involvement.<\/p>\n

At Stephens Fiddes McGill & Associates, our trusts and estates attorneys counsel individuals, families, trustees, and executors through estate planning, probate, and trust administration matters. We focus on practical legal solutions that anticipate risk, prevent conflict, and provide long-term clarity.<\/p>\n

In our experience, many estate disputes arise not from lack of assets, but from lack of planning. Clear documentation, properly titled assets, and coordinated planning are critical.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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What Do Trusts & Estates Attorneys Handle?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Trusts and estates law covers both proactive planning and post-death administration.<\/p>\n

Our services include:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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    Each estate plan must account for asset structure, family dynamics, beneficiary designations, and potential tax implications.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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    Estate Planning: Preventing Conflict Before It Starts<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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    Estate planning is not only about distributing property. It is about reducing uncertainty and protecting loved ones from avoidable legal complications.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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    Wills<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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    A will directs how probate assets are distributed and allows you to nominate guardians for minor children. However, a will does not avoid probate.<\/p>\n

    We routinely counsel clients who believe a will alone is sufficient, only to discover later that asset titling or beneficiary designations override their intentions. Coordinated planning is essential.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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    Trusts<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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    Trusts allow assets to pass outside of probate and can provide structured control over distributions.<\/p>\n

    Depending on the circumstances, trusts may help:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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      Trust design must reflect the specific risks and goals of the client.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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      Powers of Attorney and Healthcare Directives<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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      Incapacity planning is often overlooked.<\/p>\n

      Durable powers of attorney allow a trusted individual to manage financial affairs if you cannot. Healthcare directives provide decision-making authority and clarify medical preferences.<\/p>\n

      Without these documents, court intervention may be required to appoint a guardian.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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      Probate and Estate Administration<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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      Probate is the court-supervised process of administering a deceased person\u2019s estate.<\/p>\n

      This typically involves:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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      • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/path><\/g><\/rect><\/clipPath><\/defs><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tProviding notice to creditors<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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        Executors have fiduciary duties. Missteps can expose them to personal liability.<\/p>

        We frequently advise executors who are uncertain about their responsibilities, particularly in estates involving multiple beneficiaries or complex asset structures.<\/p>

        Careful administration reduces delay and risk.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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        Trust Administration and Fiduciary Duties<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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        Serving as a trustee carries significant legal obligations.<\/p>

        Trustees must:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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