NOTICE: Legal services have been designated as “essential services” by Georgia’s Governor, and our firm is still serving clients during the coronavirus pandemic. However, we are doing so in ways that minimize contact between our staff, our clients, and Court staff. Whenever possible we are using email, phone calls, and videoconferencing for communication. When documents *must* be witnessed in person (as with Powers of Attorney and Wills) we are holding signings using social distancing, pre-and-post meeting sanitizing of our office and objects, and other preventative measures as appropriate. We are also offering “drive-through” signings when in-office meetings are not advisable. We are here to serve you, but we are also committed to doing so safely. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us!
An Award-Winning Estate Planning Lawyer in Atlanta
Paul Black is an estate planning lawyer who provides superior legal services to people throughout the Atlanta area. He has been recognized as a Super Lawyers “Rising Star” in the area of estate planning and as a member of Georgia’s “Legal Elite” by Georgia Trend magazine. He is also a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.
You can count on our firm for excellent service with estate planning and probate, wills, trusts, elder law, and more.
A Proven Atlanta Estate Planning Specialist
My name is Paul Black, and I am an estate planning attorney in Atlanta, GA, whose practice focuses on the umbrella of estate law matters including estate planning and estate administration (also known as probate), elder law, uncontested guardianships and conservatorships, and special needs planning. I strive to give each of my clients the same level of care and attention that I would want for my own family members. To learn more about me, visit the About Paul page. If you have legal questions and want to schedule a phone call or an initial in-person consultation, please contact me.
What Clients are Saying
Mr. Black took an extraordinary amount of time and preparation with my husband and myself to prepare our Last Will and Testament, Power of Attorney, and Advance Directive. I compared prices for the same services and feel that I was given a very fair fee for the work that was done for us. I would highly recommend Paul Black.
After talking with Paul, I knew exactly what I needed to do. He has been with me the whole way from getting her diagnosed with dementia, to helping with all of the legal paperwork and consolidating the finances (after having to find all of them first!) and getting her moved into an assisted living home where she is getting topnotch care. If you need a responsive and caring lawyer, hire Paul!!
Paul does an excellent job of making a connection with his clients. He becomes invested in meeting the needs of his clients. He is helpful, friendly and has lots of knowledge about trusts, wills, etc. It is easy to get in touch with Paul and he makes a point of staying in touch with you. Great experience all the way around.
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Atlanta Estate & Probate Law Help
If you have questions about estate planning, probate, wills, trust, powers of attorney, or elder issues in Atlanta, GA – our estate planning lawyers can help.
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Experienced Lawyer for Estate Planning in Atlanta, Georgia
An Atlanta estate planning attorney from the Law Office of Paul Black can help you protect your current assets, plan for your future, and provide for the next generation. Although as you grow older, the future may be difficult to think about, these trustworthy attorneys work hand-in-hand with their clients to take charge of their futures and set up safeguards so that their health care and financial decisions will be well taken care of.
The Law Office of Paul Black helps clients of all backgrounds empower trusted people in case the clients become incapacitated, and when necessary, they set up the legal protections to ensure that disabled and special needs individuals can continue to receive Medicaid, SSI, and other means-tested benefits. Among other methods, Paul Black utilizes Will-based and Trust-based tactics, including Special Needs Trusts, to accomplish these goals.
Get Started on Your Georgia Estate Plan Today!
As in many other states, in the state of Georgia, all competent adults are legally granted the right to make decisions about the estate planning, distribution of their assets, and property after their death. These decisions are typically written down in a Will, although that is only one piece of the puzzle that our law firm in Atlanta, GA, will assist you with. Starting the process with a trusted Atlanta estate planning attorney helps avoid wasting time down the road and gives individuals and families peace of mind.
A robust estate plan (including trust and will) will also include what happens to your life insurance and employee benefits, your business (if you own one), and your wishes about health care matters and guardianship of any minor children, in addition to handling your home, investments, trust, and other assets.
In the sad event of their death or disability, most people would want to make things as easy as possible for their loved ones. A robust estate planning process makes things easy. Paul Black is a highly-experienced estate planning attorney who can help you plan for the future and assure your family’s financial and legal well being. Estate planning is a life-long process that changes as laws and your needs change, and it is for everyone, regardless of the size of your estate.
Estate Planning is for Everyone, Get Help from Attorneys in Atlanta
Many people think that estate planning is just for the rich and famous, but this is not true! Estate planning is for everyone. Hearing the word ‘estate’ may strike up images of royal mansions, but it’s really just a fancy word for assets. Our law practice is different. You’ll work with a friendly and experienced Atlanta estate planning attorney with decades of legal experience.
Estate planning is an essential function for anyone with the desire to have control over what happens when they pass. Through estate planning, you can ensure your assets are distributed correctly and avoid the legal probate process. It puts you in control and makes it a lot easier for your family during a stressful time.
- What does an estate planning lawyer do?
- How much does an estate planning attorney cost?
- What does estate planning include?
- What documents are included in estate planning?
- How much does it cost to have a will drawn up by a lawyer?
An estate planning attorney is a specialist who will help formalize legal plans for your family and your assets when you die or become incapable of making your own decisions due to incapacity. The role of this type of attorney largely depends on the preferences of individuals and families. At a minor level, the estate planning attorney can simply help formalize documentation and ensure they are prepared according to the latest laws. On the other end of the legal spectrum, your estate planning lawyer can help tackle big, complex questions about tax planning, fair distribution of assets, trusts, and more.
Like most things, the cost of an Atlanta, Georgia, estate planning attorney varies depending on a number of factors including the quality of the estate planning law firm. Typically, the estate planning service will start with a financial assessment, discussion of family, and preparation of the essential documents required by Georgia law. You can expect to pay at least $1,000 on the low end. Depending on the complexity, location, and other circumstances, your estate planning bill may come in higher.
We are pleased to provide transparent, affordable pricing to our clients. Please contact us directly to discuss your plans and we can provide an accurate, free quote.
Estate planning includes the preparation for the transfer of all the property you own following your passing or incapacitation. Depending on your location, estate plan requirements will vary depending on state laws.
Your estate will include all of the physical and financial property that you own. It can include cash, real estate, jewelry, automobiles, boats, retirement savings, investments, savings, and more.
Typically, your estate planning session will include an assessment of your financial situation, discuss your priorities, and the development of formal documents.
If you want to create a proper estate plan, there are several documents that plan has to include, such as:
- Will or trust document
- Beneficiary designations
- A durable power of attorney
- Power of attorney in Georgia
- Letter of intent
- Guardianship specifications
This will depend on the attorney you select! Many Atlanta, Georgia, estate planning lawyers offer packages or specific estate planning items that can be crafted ‘a-la-carte.’ For specific pricing questions, we recommend calling our law firm so we can get you the best answers possible!
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Estate Planning & So Much More
Closely related to family law, your elder law professional in Atlanta can assist with any number of legal issues that impact aging adults and their friends and loved ones.
It’s true that our elder law team handles estate planning for a large number of clients, but we are uniquely dedicated to helping care for the elderly. For Paul, it’s a very personal matter having gone through the legal process with his own family.
Get Your Family the Care and Respect They Deserve
Attorneys at The Law Office of Paul Black specializes in helping older clients plan for long-term care (including wills, trusts), qualify for benefits including Veterans Aid & Attendance and nursing home Medicaid, handle retirement issues, and plan for the possibility of illness or incapacity. These services often tie into estate planning, as many of the issues listed can be handled in a document like a Will or Trust.
Part of being an estate planning attorney in Atlanta means working within the law to preserve assets through estate planning, minimize legal issues, and do everything possible to help senior citizens maintain their dignity and enjoy their later years. Paul Black is committed to educating seniors and their family members in Atlanta, Georgia, on elder law and special needs planning topics.
In fact, it is not just a business matter to Paul Black, it is personal. As the son of parents facing health challenges, he has experienced first-hand the importance of competent and determined legal assistance for elder law issues. He has seen what it is like to be a caregiver and knows what legal challenges they face as loved ones grow older.
Take the First Step Today, We are Here to Help!
Paul and his legal team are experienced estate planning attorneys so dedicated to protecting and supporting our older community members that they provide free presentations on topics such as End of Life Decision-Making in Georgia and Paying for Long-Term Care in Georgia. They often speak to local groups in order to educate the public on these critical legal issues. You can rely on the attorneys at the Law Office of Paul Black to go the extra mile for you and your family.
Learn more about Incapacity Planning in this informational guide provided by The Law Office of Paul Black.
A Proven Probate Lawyer in Atlanta
Paul Black is professional estate planning, probate, and elder law attorney in Atlanta who handles uncontested cases in Georgia probate courts, including estate administration and guardianship/conservatorship matters as well as wills, trusts, and other legal matters. If you aren’t familiar with it, the probate court is the part of the court system that handles the distribution of assets, payments of debts, and other administrative items when someone passes away.
There are ways to avoid going through probate (for example, by creating a living trust), and there are some assets (such as property owned in joint tenancy) that pass directly to a surviving loved one and do not enter the probate court process. However, many estates are transferred to the probate court so that a probate law judge can validate the decedent’s will and ensure all relevant parties are aware of the death. This is why clear documents that meet the law’s requirements are vital. Then, an executor who is typically assigned by the decedent oversees the distribution of assets and property and makes sure that any creditors are paid by the law.
Be Prepared for Life’s Next Steps
When a loved one passes away, there is enough for the family to deal with without them having to take on court proceedings as well. An experienced estate planning and probate law attorney Atlanta, GA, can handle the estate administration process including filing petitions to the court, notifying heirs, and assisting with wills, trusts, estate appraisals, and asset management.
Learn more about the Georgia Probate Court process or Dekalb County Probate Court in these informational guides provided by the professionals at The Law Firm of Paul Black.
Atlanta, GA, Estate Planning Law Firm You Can Trust
Choosing the best estate planning law firm and a trustworthy estate planning and probate lawyer among many options available can be challenging. Since an estate planning lawyer will have access to your financial and other sensitive information, it’s in your best interest to choose an established law firm and a reputable representative that you can trust and rely on.
In addition, you’ll need an attorney who is experienced with the probate court and elder law, among other related practice areas. If you already have a lawyer, but he or she hasn’t inquired about your estate planning and preparation, you should look for a law firm that focuses on these areas of the law.
Your ideal Atlanta, GA, estate planning lawyer should be able to explain how a certain process works, handle legal issues that concern you, as well as provide advocacy and legal guidance. Make sure he or she has relevant experience in the legal field you are interested in.
At The Law Office of Paul Black, you can find just that – a committed, trustworthy, and experienced estate planning lawyer ready to help or offer legal advice. It’s never too early to start planning for your future. Reach out to Paul Black, an estate planning expert in the Atlanta area, and make the first step to secure your future.
