What Estate Planning Covers

An estate plan does more than distribute property. It ensures your decisions about finances, health care, and guardianship are legally recognized. A complete Mississippi estate plan can include:

• Last Will and Testament: Directs how your property is divided and names guardians for minor children.
• Revocable Living Trust: Allows assets to pass outside of probate, maintaining privacy and reducing delays.
• Powers of Attorney: Appoints trusted individuals to make financial or health-related decisions if you’re unable.
• Advance Health Care Directive: Communicates your medical wishes in case of serious illness or incapacity.
• Beneficiary Designations: Coordinates life insurance, bank accounts, and retirement plans with your estate plan.

We review every detail to ensure your documents align with Mississippi law and your personal objectives.

Wills in Mississippi

A will is the foundation of most estate plans. In Mississippi, a valid will must be written, signed, and witnessed according to strict legal requirements. Our attorneys draft wills that eliminate uncertainty and prevent unnecessary disputes among heirs.

We also help clients update existing wills after major life events such as marriage, divorce, or the birth of a child. Keeping your will current ensures it reflects your most recent wishes and relationships.

Trusts and Asset Protection

Trusts can provide flexibility, privacy, and tax advantages. They allow assets to transfer directly to beneficiaries without the time and cost of probate.

We assist clients in creating a variety of trusts, including:

• Revocable Living Trusts for everyday asset management
• Irrevocable Trusts for long-term tax or asset protection
• Special Needs Trusts to support a disabled loved one without affecting benefits eligibility
• Testamentary Trusts established through a will

Our firm also works with families to protect property from unnecessary taxes, debt collection, or probate exposure.

Powers of Attorney and Advance Directives

An estate plan isn’t complete without planning for incapacity. Powers of attorney and advance directives let you decide who will manage your affairs if you can’t.

We help clients draft and execute:

• Durable Powers of Attorney for financial matters
• Health Care Powers of Attorney to appoint decision-makers for medical care
• Living Wills that set out clear end-of-life preferences

Having these documents in place can spare your loved ones confusion and conflict during a difficult time.

Avoiding Probate

Probate can be time-consuming and costly. With proper planning, you can help your family avoid it altogether. Our attorneys use tools like joint ownership, beneficiary designations, and trusts to streamline the transfer of assets.

If probate becomes necessary, we also represent executors and beneficiaries through each step of the process to ensure compliance and minimize disputes.

Updating Your Estate Plan

Life changes — your estate plan should too. We review and update existing plans to reflect major events such as:

• Marriage or divorce
• The birth or adoption of a child
• A child reaching adulthood
• Acquiring or selling real estate
• Retirement or significant financial changes
• Relocation to or from Mississippi

We also help clients revise estate plans after divorce proceedings, ensuring wills, trusts, and beneficiary designations align with new family dynamics.

Call for a Consultation: (662) 371-6580

Estate planning gives you peace of mind and protects the people you love.

At Stroud, Flechas & Dalton, we make the process straightforward and reliable. Call (662) 371-6580 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with a Southaven estate planning lawyer today.