The Law Offices of Brenton C. McWilliams - Foley

An estate planning attorney helps you create a plan for what happens to your assets, your family, and your healthcare decisions if something happens to you. That includes drafting documents like wills, trusts, and powers of attorney — but it also means helping you think through decisions you may not have considered on your own.

A will is a legal document that says how you want your assets distributed after you pass away. It goes through probate court before anything is carried out. A trust can accomplish many of the same goals, but it allows your family to avoid the probate process entirely. Trusts also offer more privacy, more control over how and when assets are distributed, and can take effect during your lifetime.

Most estate plans include a last will and testament, a financial power of attorney, and a healthcare power of attorney (sometimes called an advance directive). Many families also include a revocable living trust depending on their goals.

At The Law Offices of Brenton C. McWilliams, we use fixed pricing — you'll know exactly what your estate plan costs before we begin. No hourly billing, no surprise fees. We provide a price quote at the end of your first planning meeting, and there's no obligation to move forward.

If you pass away without a will, Alabama's intestacy laws decide who receives your assets. That may not match what you would have wanted. For example, if you're married with children, your spouse does not automatically inherit everything — the estate is split according to a formula set by state law.

Yes. The Law Offices of Brenton C. McWilliams is licensed to practice throughout the state of Alabama. We work with clients statewide through virtual estate planning using Zoom for meetings and flexible options for document signing, including virtual notarization.

A good rule of thumb is to review your estate plan every two to three years. You should also revisit it after any major life event — marriage, divorce, the birth or adoption of a child, a significant change in your finances, or a move to a different state.

Probate is the legal process that takes place after someone passes away. The court verifies the will, appoints an executor, and oversees the distribution of assets. One of the main reasons families choose a revocable living trust is to avoid probate altogether. Assets held in a trust pass directly to your beneficiaries without court involvement.

A power of attorney allows someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you become unable to make them yourself. There are two main types: a financial power of attorney (for managing money and property) and a healthcare power of attorney (for medical decisions). Without these documents, your family may need to go through a court process to get the authority to help you.

Call The Law Offices of Brenton C. McWilliams at (251) 215-9275 or fill out the intake form on our website. We'll send you a questionnaire and educational materials, then schedule a planning meeting — in person or over Zoom. Our process is three meetings, fixed pricing, and a finished plan.