Your Situation Deserves Expert Guidance

Your Assessment Result

Your Situation Deserves Expert Guidance

Your estate planning needs go beyond what general guidance can safely cover. That's not a bad thing. It just means your life has layers that deserve careful, personalized attention from someone who specializes in situations like yours.

Your Situation

General estate planning information works well for straightforward situations. But when multiple complexity factors intersect (business ownership, blended families, special needs dependents, assets in multiple states) the interactions between them create planning challenges that require professional expertise [1].

Business ownership involves questions a basic will can't answer. Who runs the business if you're incapacitated? What happens to it when you die? A buy-sell agreement or succession plan may be appropriate [2].

Blended families create competing obligations. You may want to provide for your current spouse while ensuring children from a prior relationship receive their inheritance. Without proper planning, a standard will may not achieve both goals [3].

Special needs dependents: A direct inheritance can disqualify a family member with special needs from means-tested government benefits like Medicaid and SSI. A special needs trust allows you to provide for them without jeopardizing their eligibility [4].

Assets in multiple states: If you own property in more than one state, your estate may face probate in each state, a process called ancillary probate. A properly structured trust can avoid this [5].

Disclaimer: This is educational information, not legal advice. Every situation is unique. Consult with a qualified estate planning attorney before making decisions.

Your Recommended Next Steps

Find an Estate Planning Attorney Who Specializes in Your Needs

Not all estate planning attorneys handle the same level of complexity. Look for someone with specific experience in the factors that apply to you: business succession, special needs planning, blended family trusts, or multi-state estates. Your state bar association maintains a directory of licensed attorneys searchable by practice area [6].

Gather Your Financial Picture

Before your first meeting, compile a list of: all assets and their approximate values, all debts, all insurance policies, all retirement and investment accounts with beneficiary designations, any existing estate planning documents, and any business agreements or partnership documents [1]. This preparation saves time and money.

Write Down Your Wishes

Who gets what? Who makes decisions if you can't? Who raises the kids? Who runs the business? Having clear answers, even preliminary ones, before meeting with an attorney makes the process faster and more productive.

Ask Specifically About Trusts

With your level of complexity, one or more trust structures may be more appropriate than a simple will. Ask your attorney about which types of trusts address your specific concerns and what's involved in setting them up [3].

Don't Let Complexity Cause Paralysis

The biggest risk isn't getting the plan slightly wrong. It's having no plan at all. Even a basic will is better than nothing while you work toward a comprehensive plan. If getting started feels overwhelming, begin with the most urgent item and build from there.

What to Expect from an Attorney

An initial consultation typically runs $200–$500, and some attorneys offer free initial meetings. A comprehensive estate plan at this level of complexity typically costs $2,500–$7,000+, depending on your state and the specific tools involved [1]. This is a significant expense, but the cost of not planning at your level of complexity can be far higher in taxes, legal fees, family conflict, and lost benefits.

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Sources

[1] "Estate Planning Info & FAQs" — American Bar Association · americanbar.org/groups/real_property_trust_estate/resources/estate-planning/

[2] "Close or Sell Your Business" — U.S. Small Business Administration · sba.gov/business-guide/manage-your-business/close-or-sell-your-business

[3] "Revocable Trust" — Cornell Law Institute (LII) · law.cornell.edu/wex/revocable_trust

[4] "Spotlight on Special Needs Trusts" — Social Security Administration · ssa.gov/ssi/spotlights/spot-trusts.htm

[5] "Ancillary Probate" — Cornell Law Institute (LII) · law.cornell.edu/wex/ancillary_probate

[6] "Find Legal Help" — American Bar Association · americanbar.org/groups/legal_services/flh-home

Last reviewed: February 2026

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