8 Benefits of Having an Attorney for Estate Planning

Planning for the future isn't always easy, but it's one of the most important steps we can take to protect our loved ones and our legacy. Many families turn to professional legal help to draft wills, set up trusts, and handle other key aspects of estate planning. While it might be tempting to use online forms or DIY templates, these options often leave too much room for error.

Located in Green Bay, Wisconsin, we're dedicated to helping individuals and families plan for the future. At Lewis & Van Sickle, LLC, we believe that every individual and family deserves personalized guidance when planning for the future. 

Working with an experienced estate planning attorney can help simplify the process and give you peace of mind. Whether you're starting fresh or updating your existing documents, here are several reasons why working with an attorney makes all the difference.

1. Customizing Your Plan to Fit Your Life

Every estate is unique. Whether you have a large family, own a business, or want to leave behind specific gifts or donations, it’s critical that your plan reflects your wishes. An estate planning attorney works directly with you to shape your documents around your specific goals.

A personalized plan can address:

• Family dynamics: Accounting for blended families, estranged relatives, or guardianship needs

• Asset distribution: Specifying who gets what, and when

• Charitable giving: Structuring donations to organizations or causes you care about

• Business interests: Handling succession plans for privately held companies

Templates often fall short because they don’t account for all these variables. We sit down with you to talk through your goals and draft documents that match your life.

2. Avoiding Common and Costly Mistakes

Estate planning mistakes can be costly and stressful for your loved ones. Even small oversights—like failing to name a backup executor or not updating your documents after a major life event—can lead to big problems later on.

With the help of an estate planning attorney, you’re far less likely to make mistakes such as:

• Missed assets: Leaving out important assets

• Old language: Using outdated legal language

• Legal gaps: Failing to meet state-specific legal requirements

• Ineligible beneficiaries: Naming beneficiaries who are legally ineligible

We help you catch these details early, so you won’t have to worry about surprises down the line.

3. Making Sure Your Documents Are Legally Valid

Each state has its own laws about wills, trusts, and powers of attorney. What works in one state might not be valid in another. In Wisconsin, certain forms must be signed, witnessed, and structured in specific ways to hold up in court.

An estate planning attorney understands the local laws and makes sure your documents are fully compliant. This is especially important if you’ve recently moved to Wisconsin or have assets in multiple states.

Some of the documents we help prepare include:

• Basic documents: Wills and codicils

• Trust options: Revocable and irrevocable trusts

• Financial authority: Durable powers of attorney

• Medical decisions: Healthcare directives

When documents are properly drafted and executed, there’s far less chance of them being challenged later.

4. Keeping Your Plan Up to Date

Your estate plan shouldn't stay the same forever. Marriage, divorce, births, deaths, and financial changes are just a few of the events that call for a fresh look at your documents.

We help you keep your plan current by:

• Regular check-ins: Scheduling periodic reviews

• Life event updates: Making updates after major life events

• Tax review: Advising on tax law changes that may affect your estate

• Beneficiary review: Checking that all beneficiary designations are still accurate

Working with an estate planning attorney gives you ongoing support to adjust your plan whenever your life shifts.

5. Preventing Disputes Among Loved Ones

Even the most well-meaning families can run into disagreements when there’s confusion or uncertainty about a loved one’s wishes. A clearly written and legally valid plan helps reduce the chances of arguments during already difficult times.

Here’s how we help bring clarity and avoid tension:

• Executor/trustee roles: Naming responsible executors and trustees

• Clear instructions: Outlining specific distributions and conditions

• Supporting documents: Including explanatory letters when needed

• Family conversations: Discussing your wishes in advance with loved ones

Having an attorney involved adds an extra layer of confidence for everyone involved. It’s one of the most powerful ways to protect your family’s peace.

6. Applying Smart Tax Strategies

Estate and inheritance taxes can take a big bite out of what you leave behind. That’s why part of estate planning includes strategies to minimize the impact of taxes.

An estate planning attorney can help you:

• Trust strategy: Utilize trusts to reduce taxable assets

• Property planning: Transfer property in tax-efficient ways

• Gift exclusions: Make the most of lifetime gift exclusions

• Estate tax planning: Plan ahead for federal or state estate taxes

We work with accountants and financial advisors when needed to coordinate your plan and protect your legacy.

7. Managing Business and Unique Assets

Some estates are more involved than others. If you own investment properties, have significant retirement accounts, or run a business, you need more than just a basic will.

We help with:

• Real estate/business handling: Valuing and distributing real estate or business interests

• Account coordination: Coordinating with financial institutions and retirement plans

• Digital/IP planning: Planning for digital assets and intellectual property

• Business continuity: Creating continuity plans for family-run businesses

An estate planning attorney brings the knowledge needed to handle these challenges and keep your estate organized. We also help address issues like business succession, partnership agreements, and multi-generational ownership transitions. 

These areas can be difficult to manage without guidance, especially when family relationships or financial interests are intertwined. By working with a professional, you can make thoughtful choices that protect your legacy and reduce stress for everyone involved.

8. Gaining Peace of Mind for the Future

Perhaps the biggest benefit of all is peace of mind. When you work with an estate planning attorney, you know that your affairs are in order and your loved ones won’t be left guessing.

This peace of mind allows you to focus more on what matters—spending quality time with your family, pursuing your passions, and enjoying life with less stress. Knowing your estate is organized gives you the freedom to live in the present without worrying about the unknown. It's also comforting for your loved ones, who won’t be burdened with uncertainty or difficult legal decisions later on.

We’re here to support you with:

• Personal guidance: Clear, personalized guidance every step of the way

• Responsive support: Answers to your questions when they come up

• Ongoing support: A long-term relationship you can rely on

• Lasting confidence: Confidence that your wishes will be respected

It’s not just about preparing for the end of life—it’s about living with less worry today. According to IBISWorld, there are 202,000 businesses in the estate lawyers & attorneys industry in the United States, highlighting the widespread demand for guidance in estate planning.

Contact Us Today

No matter where you are in life, having a trusted estate planning attorney on your side makes a big difference. We serve clients in Oconto, Shawano, Kewaunee, and Sturgeon Bay. We prepare thoughtful, legally sound plans that reflect their values and protect their loved ones. We’d be honored to help you do the same. Reach out to Lewis & Van Sickle, LLC today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward peace of mind.