Most of us spend our entire adult lives working and preparing for retirement. The commitment toward that future drives many of our economic choices: what kind of property to purchase, what employment to seek, how much to invest, how much to save, and so forth. Just as you devote much of your existence to securing your own financial future, it is wise to devote time to ensuring that, when it becomes necessary, your assets are distributed to those you care about according to your desires. Believing that a will may be all that is required to guarantee that the named heirs eventually receive your property, you may be tempted to start planning for the future by crafting only that particular document. Yet there are many other steps that can – and often should – be taken to make certain that your wishes concerning your estate are carried out. Matters such as guardianship for minor children, trusts, asset management, and advanced health care directives may all be concerns potentially impacting your options regarding the distribution of your property. Christy Lee has developed an integrated approach to estate planning, providing wealth preservation, and asset protection strategies to minimize estate taxes and address all contingencies in transferring assets to the next generation. Her experience in the area of tax controversies and tax resolution planning makes her uniquely able to assess the risks involved in each planning strategy.

Estate Planning

Because of recent complex changes in tax laws and because of the intricacies of probate statutes, it may be necessary for you to consult an attorney specializing in estate planning. At the Law Offices of Christy Lee, P. C., we will carefully listen to your concerns about your assets, then work with you to lessen the potential stress and expense your loved ones could otherwise face during the dispersal of your property. Christy Lee has developed an integrated approach to estate planning, incorporating wealth preservation and asset protection strategies to minimize estate taxes and to address various contingencies in the transfer of your assets to the next generation. Her background in tax controversies and resolution planning makes her uniquely capable of assessing the risks associated in each planning strategy. After carefully reviewing your situation and relevant statutes, Christy will lay out all your options in clear, easily understood language, then answer any questions that might arise. Such individualized attention to your estate needs helps ensure that your goals for your estate are satisfactorily met.

Estate Planning Maintenance Program

The Law Offices of Christy Lee, P. C., also offers an Estate Planning Maintenance Program. A maintenance program based on an annual flat price removes one of the primary barriers preventing clients from communicating their wishes, providing information, and updating their plans. An estate planning maintenance program allows the client an “affordable” means to communicate with the attorney regarding concerns that may emerge and to provide information and documents necessary to keep the estate plan current. Through this model of open communication, consisting of a regular review and updates of the assets and the estate plan documents, the chances that the plan will be current and effective at the time of the client’s demise increase dramatically. The estate planning maintenance program includes the services of DocuBank, which ensures that your living will, health care power of attorney, and other important medical and emergency information will be available to hospitals, 24/7/365. All you need to do is to be sure to carry your DocuBank Emergency Access Card in your wallet - next to your driver’s license or health insurance card - at all times.

Probate

Probate is the legal process that transfers title of property from the estate of the person who has died, known as the “decedent,” to his or her beneficiaries. A will is a legal document written to ensure that upon the decedent’s death, the writer's property is given to the people specified in the will. For a will to have any legal effect, its validity must be "proved-up" in a court. Law Offices of Christy Lee, P. C., can assist you when you are faced with the death of a family member, even if the deceased left behind no competent estate plan. Our firm can mitigate potential damages by representing the personal representative, trustee, beneficiaries, etc., of the estate during probate. Thanks to her knowledge of the ramifications of the tax codes and her experience involving estate concerns, Christy is uniquely qualified to assist those clients facing probate issues. Our aim at Law Offices of Christy Lee, P. C., is to provide you with well-considered, legally informed options concerning your estate plan and probate issues, so that you may make knowledgeable decisions regarding those assets. We look forward to assisting you with all your estate planning and probate needs.

Specialties:

• Wills – Simple and Complex
• Revocable “Living” Trust
• Codicils and Amendments
• Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts (ILITs)
• Alaska Asset Protection Trust Planning
• Alaska Community Property Planning and Agreements
• Asset Management Planning
• Estate Planning Maintenance Program
• Probate and Estate Administration
• Probate Litigation
• Trust Administration
• Trust Funding
• Estate Tax Returns
• Gift Tax Returns
• Charitable Giving
• Presumptive Death Certificates