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
Avoiding Probate with a Trust
In other words, family members who are not named to inherit anything in the will may still see the list of all of the assets. If you don’t want that result, you can avoid it by establishing a trust.
Special Needs Planning is a Lifelong Event
Linda Smyth has spent more than 20 years fighting her way through a complicated maze of paperwork, assessments and denials in the attempt to secure services for her son, who is on the autism spectrum.
Share Your Estate Plan Now to Protect Your Family When You Are Gone
Estate planning clients, typically those nearing or beyond retirement, often ask what kind of information they should share during their life with the beneficiaries of their estate.
When Do I Need an Elder Law Attorney?
Elder law issues can be complex. One wrong word or move can mean the difference between a good result and disaster should you become incapacitated or if other unexpected issues should occur in your senior years. An elder law attorney can help you plan for what will happen, if you should become mentally or physically incapable of taking care of yourself and your own personal business matters.
Do You Want to Decide or Do You Want the State to Decide?
Estate planning attorneys will agree, it’s better to die with a properly drafted will than to die without one. If you don’t have one, consider getting one.
Do I Need Long-Term Care and Why?
Long-term care, often called custodial care, is a range of services and support to meet health or personal care needs over an extended period of time. This is non-medical care provided by non-licensed caregivers.
Protecting Adult Children with Disabilities
Adults with disabilities are living much longer than in the past, which means their aging parents must plan for the day when their dependent children outlive them.
How Do I Plan for My Incapacity?
What would happen if you were mentally or physically unable to take care of yourself or your day-to-day affairs? You might not be able to make sound decisions about your health or finances. You could lose the ability to pay bills, write checks, make deposits, sell assets, or otherwise conduct your affairs. Unless you’re prepared, incapacity could devastate your family, exhaust your savings and undermine your financial, tax and estate planning strategies.
How Do I Tell If Dad Needs Caregiving Support?
See something…say something! Don’t ignore signs of your loved ones changing caregiving needs.
What is a Special Needs Trust?
Special needs lawyers can work with clients to set up individualized special needs trusts.
See Why Clients Trust Haiman Law
Feedback from those who’ve trusted us with life’s most important decisions.