Most people in Idaho do not have an estate plan in place. Very few people in Idaho have any type of estate plan in place. Unfortunately, if they become incapacitated or die, their loved ones will be left with many questions and uncertainties. Call Foley Freeman today to discuss how an estate plan can address your specific estate planning and probate needs.

Our experienced Boise attorneys work closely with clients to understand their desires and fears. Leveraging decades of experience, we work with tax professionals and other experts to help create an estate plan that fits your needs and budget.

Our Estate Planning Practice

With the assistance of financial planners and tax professionals, Foley Freeman’s estate planning attorney, Mark Freeman, helps clients identify legal tools to protect assets, reduce or eliminate estate taxes, and, if a revocable trust is utilized, to avoid probate as well. Many legal documents may be necessary to create a comprehensive estate plan, including:

It is important to have a complete estate plan that covers all necessary documents and considerations, ensuring you are fully prepared for end-of-life planning and potential incapacity.

At Foley Freeman, we recognize the importance to our clients of delivering a financial legacy to their families and loved ones, and we make sure that the appropriate legal protections are in place to secure our clients’ estate plans. In many instances, we involve the counsel of professional advisors who are familiar with a client’s goals and concerns, family situation, and assets. The time we take to fully understand our clients’ needs enables us to create truly customized plans. Our firm is committed to guiding each client through the estate planning process with personalized service and ongoing support. We leverage our knowledge of estate planning law and our experience as dedicated lawyers to provide clear guidance and peace of mind.

With these documents, you can decide what end-of-life care you want, such as a feeding tube. You can also name people to serve as your agents, who will handle financial transactions (like paying bills), trust funding, and other important matters. If you have a trust, it is important to contact your insurance agent to update policies and ensure the trust is properly listed as an additional insured. Contact our Boise estate planning attorneys for more information about how to create one of these documents. Properly signing estate planning documents is essential to ensure their validity and enforceability.

Our services include a transparent fee structure with no hidden fees, so you know exactly what to expect. Completing the estate planning process is crucial to ensure peace of mind, proper asset distribution, and protection for your loved ones.

Probate & Estate Administration

Probate is the legal process by which a person’s assets are distributed after they have died. If a person dies with a valid will, a personal representative is named to administer the estate, but if a person dies without a will, a court will appoint a personal representative according to statute. Probate attorneys from Foley Freeman can advise and represent an estate’s executor, and walk family members through the probate process.

When called upon to assist in estate administration, we take care of all the details necessary to settle an estate, including preparing and filing all necessary documents, notifying creditors, and overseeing the orderly distribution of property. It is important to efficiently prepare inventories, tax returns, and other required documents to ensure a smooth process. Proper estate planning can help reduce the expense of probate and estate administration for your family. Making estate administration a priority can help avoid delays and complications. If litigation becomes necessary to resolve a dispute related to probate or estate administration, we have a wealth of litigation experience and are fully prepared to proceed toward trial if it is in our client’s best interests.

Business Succession Planning

Anyone who owns or co-owns a business needs to plan now for who will take over the reins in the future. Without proper business succession planning, your company could end up in the wrong hands and go belly up. Our firm can walk you through all the different phases of business succession planning, including identifying future leaders and creating proper legal documents.

Problems if You Die Without an Estate Plan

Few people want to think about growing older. However, as we age, it is important to plan for potential disabilities or mental incapacity by including provisions like a Durable Power of Attorney in your estate plan. But if you die without an estate plan, then your loved ones could encounter:

  • Prolonged probate and a greater risk of a fight over the estate.
  • Difficulty gaining access to assets as the estate winds its way through the courts.
  • Disagreements about who should serve as the estate’s personal representative, and a risk that the court appoints someone inappropriate for the role.
  • Increased risk of depleting the value of the estate with unnecessary litigation.
  • The legal process can become complicated and overwhelming for your family if there is no estate plan in place.

Growing older without a living will or powers of attorney can also create headaches. If parents of minor children do not designate guardians, children might fight among themselves to get appointed guardian, and the guardian could end up draining the estate before you die. Even worse, some people scrape a template off the internet and use it as a guide to create a will, trust, or power of attorney.

There’s a real risk you end up with a totally ineffective document, inviting a legal challenge when you can no longer express your wishes. Instead, hire an experienced Boise estate planning attorney who can guide you through the process.

Benefits of a Living Trust

A living trust is a powerful tool in any comprehensive estate plan, offering significant advantages for individuals and families throughout Idaho. By establishing a living trust, you can take proactive steps to protect your assets, provide for your loved ones, and ensure your wishes are honored—both during your lifetime and after your death.

One of the most compelling benefits of a living trust is its ability to help you avoid probate. Probate matters in Ada County and the greater Treasure Valley can be time-consuming and costly, often adding unnecessary stress for families already coping with the loss of a loved one. With a living trust, your property and assets can be transferred directly to your chosen beneficiaries, bypassing the probate process entirely. This not only saves time and money but also keeps your estate details private and out of the public record.

How a Living Trust Protects Your Family and Assets

A living trust also offers flexibility and control over your estate planning matters. You can manage your assets during your lifetime, and in the event of disability, your appointed successor trustee can step in to handle your affairs without the need for court intervention. This is especially important for families with minor children, as a living trust allows you to appoint a guardian and set specific terms for how and when your children will receive their inheritance. By addressing these concerns in advance, you can ensure your children are protected and your wishes are carried out, no matter what the future holds.

For those concerned about estate taxes, a living trust can be structured to help minimize tax liabilities, preserving more of your estate for your beneficiaries. Whether your estate includes real property, investments, or business interests, a living trust can be tailored to fit your unique circumstances and goals. Estate planning attorneys in Boise can guide you through these complex decisions, helping you create a plan that addresses your specific needs and priorities.

Why Families in the Treasure Valley Choose Living Trusts

The process of creating a living trust begins with an initial consultation with an experienced estate planning attorney. During this appointment, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss your family’s future, your assets, and any concerns you may have about estate administration or the impact of estate taxes. Your attorney will explain your estate planning options, answer your questions, and help you determine the best way to protect your loved ones and your legacy.

In Boise and throughout the Treasure Valley, families are increasingly recognizing the importance of a well-crafted estate plan. A living trust is a key component of that plan, offering peace of mind and security for you and your loved ones. If you’re ready to take the next step in planning for your family’s future, schedule a consultation with a knowledgeable estate planning attorney in Boise. Together, you can create a living trust that ensures your wishes are respected, your assets are protected, and your family is provided for—no matter what life brings.

Get to Know Foley Freeman

Our origins are in Meridian, where our founders hung out a shingle at a tiny house in 1978. Since then, our firm has not only grown, but we’ve branched out to serve more of the communities in the Treasure Valley with their legal needs. Our Boise office serves as a dedicated legal resource for estate planning and probate services. If you hire Foley Freeman, you are getting some of the most experienced and respected lawyers in Boise.

Our firm has received numerous honors, and our partners are active in the Idaho bar. Many of our clients are referred to us by family and friends, reflecting the trust and personal recommendations that are so important in choosing an estate planning lawyer. Now that you know a little about us, reach out so we can learn about you and your family.

Speak with a Boise Estate Planning Attorney

At Foley Freeman, we believe in empowering clients to make the right estate planning choices by providing them with accurate legal information. We are happy to create the final pieces of an estate plan or build one from the ground up. Our firm’s services are affordable, and we believe in transparent pricing.

Estate planning is essential for securing your family’s future, ensuring your loved ones are protected and your assets are transferred smoothly. Now is the time to take control of the future and create a customized estate plan. Contact us today to get started.