{"id":870,"date":"2023-10-02T17:43:11","date_gmt":"2023-10-02T17:43:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/attorneycox.com\/?page_id=870"},"modified":"2024-07-11T15:40:35","modified_gmt":"2024-07-11T20:40:35","slug":"estate-planning-overview","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/attorneycox.com\/estate-planning-overview\/","title":{"rendered":"Estate Planning Overview"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"870\" class=\"elementor elementor-870\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5c70fff e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"5c70fff\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b452f9b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b452f9b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Estate Planning Overview<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-391a2f21 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"391a2f21\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5d405081 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5d405081\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3ccd6a6a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3ccd6a6a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Estate planning is the process of drafting legal documents that set forth your detailed wishes for your assets and how they will be held and distributed after your passing. It is an important part of financial planning and can help to ensure that your assets are preserved and that your loved ones are taken care of in the future.<\/p><p>The Law Office of Christopher P. Cox, L.L.C. offers a comprehensive range of estate planning services to help you create a plan that meets your individual needs and goals. We regularly draft and advise clients on the following:<\/p><ul><li>Wills<\/li><li>Trusts, including revocable living trusts and irrevocable trusts<\/li><li>General Durable Powers of Attorney<\/li><li>Durable Powers of Attorney for Healthcare and Healthcare Directives<\/li><li>HIPAA Waivers<\/li><li>Beneficiary and Warranty Deeds for real estate<\/li><li>Structuring beneficiaries<\/li><li>Payable on death (POD) and transfer on death (TOD) designations<\/li><li>The funding of your Trust (e.g., retitling assets into your Trust)<\/li><\/ul><p><strong><br \/>Why is estate planning important?<\/strong><\/p><p>Estate planning is important for a number of reasons:<\/p><ul><li>It ensures that your assets are preserved and distributed according to your wishes<\/li><li>It allows you to appoint the people you want to be in charge of the handling and distribution of your assets after your passing<\/li><li>It can help avoid Probate Court and the ridiculously high cost of your assets going through Probate Court.<\/li><li>It can help minimize estate taxes<\/li><li>It allows you to appoint a Guardian for any minor children that you may have.<\/li><li>It allows you to financially provide and care for any minor children, and allows you to dictate when, and under what terms, they receive any of your assets<\/li><\/ul><p><br \/><strong>How to get started with estate planning<\/strong><\/p><p>If you are interested in getting started with estate planning, the first step is to consult with an experienced estate planning attorney. An attorney can help you to develop a plan that meets your individual needs and goals.<\/p><p>The Law Office of Christopher P. Cox, L.L.C. offers a free initial consultation to discuss your estate planning needs, get your questions answered, and to provide you with your options. We can help you to create a plan that protects your assets and provides for your loved ones in the future. Please contact our office at <a href=\"tel:+13147270163\">314-727-0163<\/a> if you have any questions or if we can assist you in any way.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c07b651 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c07b651\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cafdf80 elementor-widget elementor-widget-hotspot\" data-id=\"cafdf80\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;hotspot&quot;:[{&quot;_id&quot;:&quot;d485d82&quot;,&quot;hotspot_label&quot;:&quot;&lt;h2&gt;LEARN MORE&lt;\\\/h2&gt;&quot;,&quot;hotspot_custom_size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;hotspot_tooltip_content&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;hotspot_offset_x&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;hotspot_offset_y&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:19,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;hotspot_link&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;is_external&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;nofollow&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;custom_attributes&quot;:&quot;&quot;},&quot;hotspot_icon&quot;:{&quot;value&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;library&quot;:&quot;&quot;},&quot;hotspot_horizontal&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;hotspot_vertical&quot;:&quot;top&quot;,&quot;hotspot_tooltip_position&quot;:&quot;no&quot;,&quot;hotspot_position&quot;:null},{&quot;_id&quot;:&quot;a7cf7fe&quot;,&quot;hotspot_label&quot;:&quot;Estate Planning FAQs&quot;,&quot;hotspot_link&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/attorneycox.com\\\/estate-planning-faqs\\\/&quot;,&quot;is_external&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;nofollow&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;custom_attributes&quot;:&quot;&quot;},&quot;hotspot_tooltip_content&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;hotspot_offset_x&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:16,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;hotspot_offset_y&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:38,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;hotspot_icon&quot;:{&quot;value&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;library&quot;:&quot;&quot;},&quot;hotspot_custom_size&quot;:&quot;no&quot;,&quot;hotspot_horizontal&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;hotspot_vertical&quot;:&quot;top&quot;,&quot;hotspot_tooltip_position&quot;:&quot;no&quot;,&quot;hotspot_position&quot;:null},{&quot;hotspot_label&quot;:&quot;Probate FAQs&quot;,&quot;hotspot_link&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/attorneycox.com\\\/probate-faqs\\\/&quot;,&quot;is_external&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;nofollow&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;custom_attributes&quot;:&quot;&quot;},&quot;hotspot_tooltip_content&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;hotspot_offset_x&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:15,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;hotspot_offset_y&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:54,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;_id&quot;:&quot;04d4a4c&quot;,&quot;hotspot_icon&quot;:{&quot;value&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;library&quot;:&quot;&quot;},&quot;hotspot_custom_size&quot;:&quot;no&quot;,&quot;hotspot_horizontal&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;hotspot_vertical&quot;:&quot;top&quot;,&quot;hotspot_tooltip_position&quot;:&quot;no&quot;,&quot;hotspot_position&quot;:null},{&quot;hotspot_label&quot;:&quot;Trust Administration FAQs&quot;,&quot;hotspot_link&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/attorneycox.com\\\/trust-administration-faqs\\\/&quot;,&quot;is_external&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;nofollow&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;custom_attributes&quot;:&quot;&quot;},&quot;hotspot_tooltip_content&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;hotspot_offset_x&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:19,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;hotspot_offset_y&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:69,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;_id&quot;:&quot;2cfbab8&quot;,&quot;hotspot_icon&quot;:{&quot;value&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;library&quot;:&quot;&quot;},&quot;hotspot_custom_size&quot;:&quot;no&quot;,&quot;hotspot_horizontal&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;hotspot_vertical&quot;:&quot;top&quot;,&quot;hotspot_tooltip_position&quot;:&quot;no&quot;,&quot;hotspot_position&quot;:null}],&quot;hotspot_sequenced_animation&quot;:&quot;no&quot;,&quot;tooltip_position&quot;:&quot;top&quot;,&quot;tooltip_trigger&quot;:&quot;click&quot;,&quot;tooltip_animation&quot;:&quot;e-hotspot--fade-in-out&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"hotspot.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"734\" height=\"476\" src=\"https:\/\/attorneycox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Scattered-question-marks-blocks-and-copy-space.-1454707439_738x479.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-1194\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/attorneycox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Scattered-question-marks-blocks-and-copy-space.-1454707439_738x479.jpeg 734w, https:\/\/attorneycox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Scattered-question-marks-blocks-and-copy-space.-1454707439_738x479-300x195.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 734px) 100vw, 734px\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-hotspot elementor-repeater-item-d485d82  e-hotspot--position-left e-hotspot--position-top  \">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-hotspot__button e-hotspot--expand\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-hotspot__label\"><h2>LEARN MORE<\/h2><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"e-hotspot elementor-repeater-item-a7cf7fe  e-hotspot--position-left e-hotspot--position-top e-hotspot--link e-hotspot--no-tooltip\" href=\"https:\/\/attorneycox.com\/estate-planning-faqs\/\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-hotspot__button e-hotspot--expand\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-hotspot__label\">Estate Planning FAQs<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"e-hotspot elementor-repeater-item-04d4a4c  e-hotspot--position-left e-hotspot--position-top e-hotspot--link e-hotspot--no-tooltip\" href=\"https:\/\/attorneycox.com\/probate-faqs\/\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-hotspot__button e-hotspot--expand\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-hotspot__label\">Probate FAQs<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"e-hotspot elementor-repeater-item-2cfbab8  e-hotspot--position-left e-hotspot--position-top e-hotspot--link e-hotspot--no-tooltip\" href=\"https:\/\/attorneycox.com\/trust-administration-faqs\/\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-hotspot__button e-hotspot--expand\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-hotspot__label\">Trust Administration FAQs<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1c9d32e5 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1c9d32e5\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2426a2c e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2426a2c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-262dbee3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-template\" data-id=\"262dbee3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"template.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-template\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"1096\" class=\"elementor elementor-1096\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c16e2bc e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"c16e2bc\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-42d881d e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"42d881d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4b00c97f elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-featured-image elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4b00c97f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"theme-post-featured-image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"334\" src=\"https:\/\/attorneycox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Estate-planning-sign-on-a-wooden-pier-1089455848_726x484-e1696280087190.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-929\" alt=\"Estate planning sign\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1a836905 e-con-full print-no e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"1a836905\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2f09321f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2f09321f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Free Estate Planning Guide<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6c071459 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6c071459\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Download your <b>FREE<\/b> copy of our <b><i>Estate Planning Guide<\/i><\/b>.&nbsp; We are so confident you&#8217;ll find our resource helpful, <b>we don&#8217;t require anything from you to get it<\/b>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2d730b59 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"2d730b59\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/attorneycox.com\/wp-content\/Missouri-Estate-Planning-Guide.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/attorneycox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/EP-Guide-300x300.png\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-1615\" alt=\"Image of Estate Planning Guide\" srcset=\"https:\/\/attorneycox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/EP-Guide-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/attorneycox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/EP-Guide-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/attorneycox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/EP-Guide.png 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8ecf805 elementor-widget elementor-widget-wp-widget-recent-posts\" data-id=\"8ecf805\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"wp-widget-recent-posts.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t<h5>Recent Posts<\/h5><nav aria-label=\"Recent Posts\">\n\t\t<ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/attorneycox.com\/estate-planning-for-unmarried-couples\/\">Estate Planning for Unmarried Couples<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/attorneycox.com\/resolving-estate-disputes\/\">Resolving Estate Disputes<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/attorneycox.com\/what-to-do-when-a-trustee-isnt-fulfilling-duties\/\">What to Do When A Trustee Isn&#8217;t Fulfilling Duties<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/attorneycox.com\/debunking-estate-planning-myths-2-0-continued\/\">Debunking Estate Planning Myths 2.0 (Continued)<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/attorneycox.com\/how-to-help-your-adult-child-with-money\/\">How To Help Your Adult Child With Money<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\n\t\t<\/nav>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Law Office of Christopher P. Cox, L.L.C. offers a comprehensive range of estate planning services to help you create a plan that meets your individual needs and goals.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":929,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-870","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/attorneycox.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/870","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/attorneycox.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/attorneycox.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/attorneycox.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/attorneycox.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=870"}],"version-history":[{"count":52,"href":"https:\/\/attorneycox.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/870\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2162,"href":"https:\/\/attorneycox.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/870\/revisions\/2162"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/attorneycox.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/929"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/attorneycox.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=870"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}