Estate Planning
Why Estate Planning Is Really About Protecting Your Family
When people talk about needing an “estate plan,” it can sound like it’s just about finances. But at Haiman Law, we know it’s really about something far more important—your family.
We focus on creating comprehensive Family Protection Plans designed to safeguard what matters most:
your loved ones, your assets, and your wishes.
Our plans are built to:
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Keep your affairs private and out of the court system
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Provide protection against unexpected legal threats like lawsuits, creditors, or divorce
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Empower you to make decisions that take effect both during your lifetime and beyond
At Haiman Law, we don’t believe in cookie-cutter solutions. Every plan we create is tailored to your unique goals, values, and vision. Let us help you design a legacy that gives your family peace of mind and lasting security.
Estate Planning Essentials for total family protection.
Last Will & Testament
Why You Need a Will—Before the State Decides for You
If you don’t have a will, the government has one for you—and it may not reflect your wishes. Without a legal plan in place, state laws determine how your assets are distributed after your death, often leaving loved ones with added stress and uncertainty.
At Haiman Law, we help you take control of your legacy. A properly drafted Last Will and Testament ensures your property—whether it’s your home, finances, personal belongings, or investments—is distributed according to your wishes. You can also designate guardians for minor children or dependents, protecting those who rely on you most.
A will isn’t just a legal document—it’s your voice when you’re no longer here. Let us help you make sure it says exactly what you want.
Revocable Living Trust
Trusts: A Smart Strategy for Every Family—Not Just the Wealthy
A revocable living trust is a powerful estate planning tool that allows you to transfer your assets into a legal structure you control during your lifetime. You retain full access and authority to manage, update, or dissolve the trust as your circumstances change. Upon your death, the trust ensures your assets are passed on smoothly—without the delays and costs of probate.
But its benefits go beyond that. A well-crafted and properly funded trust can also help avoid guardianship if you or your spouse become incapacitated. Since a trust doesn’t get sick or die, it provides a continuous layer of protection for your family and finances. In some cases, it can even offer tax advantages and shield assets from potential creditors. It’s a cornerstone of any strong Family and Asset Protection Plan.
Power of Attorney
Durable Power of Attorney: Protecting Your Finances When You Can’t
This essential document allows you to name a trusted individual to act on your behalf if you become incapacitated or otherwise unable to manage your financial affairs. From paying bills and managing bank accounts to overseeing investments, handling real estate, and working with government agencies like Social Security, this person steps into your shoes to ensure everything runs smoothly. A Durable Power of Attorney ensures that your wishes are respected and that your financial life stays protected, even during unexpected health events. It’s a foundational part of any comprehensive estate and asset protection plan.
Medical Power of Attorney
Medical Power of Attorney: Making Healthcare Decisions When You Can’t
A Medical Power of Attorney gives someone you trust the legal authority to make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you become physically or mentally unable to do so. This includes choices about medical treatments, surgeries, medications, doctors, hospitals, and even end-of-life care. By putting this in place, you ensure that your medical wishes are honored and that critical decisions are made by someone who understands your values and preferences. It’s a vital part of protecting your well-being and giving your loved ones clarity during uncertain times.
Directive to Physicians
Directive to Physicians: Clearly Communicating Your End-of-Life Wishes
Also referred to as a Living Will or Advance Medical Directive, this document allows you to make your healthcare wishes known if you are ever diagnosed with a terminal illness or become permanently unconscious. It provides guidance to your physician about whether to use life-sustaining treatments—such as resuscitation, ventilators, or feeding tubes—to artificially prolong life. By putting your preferences in writing, you relieve your loved ones of the burden of making difficult decisions and ensure your values are respected during life’s most critical moments. This is an essential part of a thoughtful, compassionate estate and medical care plan.
HIPAA Authorization Form
HIPAA Authorization: Protecting Privacy, Granting Access
The HIPAA Authorization Form gives you control over who can access your private medical information. Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, your health records are protected by strict privacy laws. This form allows you to name trusted individuals—such as family members, caregivers, or legal representatives—who may receive details about your care. It ensures that your healthcare providers have clear permission to share information, helping your loved ones stay informed and involved in your medical decisions when it matters most.
Declaration of Guardian in Case of Future Incapacitation
Declaration of Guardian for Future Incapacity
This legal document allows you to name the person you would trust to act as your guardian if you ever become incapacitated and unable to manage your personal or financial affairs. It provides clear guidance to the court in the event a guardianship proceeding becomes necessary and helps avoid uncertainty or conflict among family members. You can also use this declaration to specifically disqualify individuals you do not wish to serve—offering an added layer of protection and peace of mind for your future care.
Appointment of Agent to Control the Disposition of Remains
Appointment of Agent for Final Arrangements
This document allows you to designate a trusted individual to oversee and carry out your wishes regarding cremation, burial, and funeral arrangements. By naming an agent in advance, you ensure that your preferences are honored and reduce the burden on loved ones during a difficult time.
Anatomical Gift Form
Anatomical Gift Form
This form allows you to make decisions about donating your organs and/or tissue after death for transplants, research, or other medical purposes. You may also choose to donate your entire body for medical or forensic study. Additionally, it lets you indicate your wishes regarding whether an autopsy may be performed.
Smart Planning: Wills and Trusts Resources
How Do I Include Care for My Children in Estate Planning?
Parents should make sure they have arrangements in place for the care of their minor-aged children, when planning their estates…
Possible Pitfalls for Special Needs Planning for Parents
Both the state and federal government, administered through the Social Security Administration (SSA) and Medicaid provide disabled individuals with a variety of life enhancing, and sometimes life sustaining, public benefits.
What Can I Do to Combat Dementia?
Many people begin to notice changes in their cognitive functioning as they age. Some find that they can’t quite remember why they entered a room or that the location of their keys is a constant mystery. Varying degrees of cognitive decline are common, and it is estimated that 14 million people will be diagnosed with dementia by 2050.
What Can a Strong Estate Planning Attorney Help Me Accomplish?
Too many people mistakenly believe that to have a need for estate planning, you must be old and wealthy. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Once you are a mature adult, independent, and income-producing, it is time to assume the responsibilities of preparing for your future. High on the list is preparing an estate plan with a clear understanding that your plan will be revised to adapt to changing circumstances.
Why You Need an Estate Plan, Especially Now
It’s never too early to start working on how your things will be handled, once you pass away.
Update Will at These 12 Times in Your Life
It is also important to realize that it isn’t merely ‘why’ you are updating your will, but ‘when’ you are updating that can make all the difference.
Elder Financial Abuse Fraud Occurs, When No One’s Watching
Take, for example, the sad and sordid tax case of Mary Ellen Cranmer Nice vs. United States of America, which would not have existed if an attentive financial advisor hadn’t noticed the large IRA distributions that were allegedly stolen right from under a matriarch’s nose.
Your Children Wish You Had an Estate Plan
Without a proper elder law estate plan, the children’s responsibilities are even more exhausting, stressful and sad.
What Can I Do to Plan for Incapacity?
As part of your financial and estate planning, you should make arrangements for your care, in case you become incapacitated.
How Does Planning for a Special Needs Child Work?
When parents start the planning process for a child with special needs, they usually work under the perception that if they create a special needs trust (SNT), the child will be taken care of and the needs will be met.
See Why Clients Trust Haiman Law
Feedback from those who’ve trusted us with life’s most important decisions.