Our Estate Planning Services

One of the most common tools for estate planning is a Last Will & Testament. Although a will doesn’t cover everything people often think it does, it can still be very helpful in many situations. For example, younger people with limited assets can benefit from having a will. In Oklahoma and many other states, a will usually requires going through probate, but it’s generally better than passing away without any plan in place at all (called dying “intestate”). For instance, parents with young children often use a will to name a guardian who will take care of their kids if the parents pass away. Even if someone doesn’t have many possessions, a will helps make sure their belongings are given to the people they want, rather than being distributed according to state laws.

An Irrevocable Trust is a type of trust where the person who creates it (called the grantor) can’t change or cancel it once it’s set up. This means they give up control of the assets placed in the trust. Because the grantor no longer owns these assets, creditors usually can’t take them to pay off debts. People often use Irrevocable Trusts to pass on their property without going through probate, which helps keep creditors from taking everything after someone passes away. These trusts can also help reduce taxes on gifts and estates, which is important for many families when planning their finances. If someone wants to go after the assets in an Irrevocable Trust, they have to challenge the trust itself, which is often expensive, takes a long time, and requires special legal knowledge. This makes Irrevocable Trusts a great way to protect your assets from lawsuits or creditors. Once you put assets into an Irrevocable Trust, they are no longer considered yours legally. So, if you get sued or have financial problems, the things in the trust are safe and can’t be taken away to pay your personal debts.

When creating an estate plan, it’s important to consider how your health care wishes will be honored if you’re ever unable to speak for yourself. Health care directives are key legal documents designed to address this concern, allowing you to clearly express your preferences for medical treatment and end-of-life care. With a health care directive, you can designate a trusted individual—often called a health care agent or proxy—to make important medical decisions for you. This person will act on your behalf if you become incapacitated, ensuring your choices are respected and followed. Beyond appointing a representative, health care directives can also specify your preferences regarding particular medical procedures, interventions, or life-sustaining treatments. Whether you wish to accept or decline certain types of care, these documents provide a way to communicate your wishes in advance—offering both clarity and peace of mind for you and your loved ones.

Without a valid agreement, Oklahoma law follows the principle of equitable distribution for marital assets, meaning a judge will divide property based on fairness rather than a strict 50-50 split. However, a well-drafted agreement can override these defaults as long as it meets legal standards. ​A premarital agreement can address: > How finances and assets will be handled during the marriage; >Who gets what assets in the event that you decide to end your relationship; > Support terms, or the waiver of such terms; > Business ownership issues; > Waivers of claims against the other’s estate, or requirements that one or both parties make specific provisions for the other in his or her estate plan; > The status of gifts and inheritances; > Benefits and disability and insurance coverage, among others.

Medicaid planning is often one of the most challenging and confusing aspects of estate planning. As life expectancy increases, many people will likely require long-term care during their later years—a service that can easily cost $60,000 or more per year, depending on the type of care needed. Since Medicaid has strict rules about how much income and assets you can have to qualify, those without proper planning often have to spend down nearly all their resources before becoming eligible for assistance. You’ve put in a lot of effort to save and invest for your retirement, accumulating assets like real estate, retirement accounts, annuities, business holdings, and other investments. With careful planning, it’s possible to protect these assets so they aren’t completely depleted when you need long-term care. In essence, Medicaid planning is about preparing ahead to ensure you can access necessary care without losing everything you’ve worked hard to build. Although the rules can be complex and vary by state, having the right strategy in place can help safeguard your financial future.

If you own a business, it’s important to make sure your business plans and your estate plan work together smoothly. To keep your business running the way you want if you become unable to manage it or after you pass away, you need a solid business succession plan. Depending on what kind of business you have, you may need carefully written agreements like shareholder agreements, buy-sell agreements, operating agreements, or partnership agreements. These business interests should be properly included in your revocable and irrevocable trusts, which should clearly explain how the business will be managed if you’re incapacitated or after your death. The plan should cover when and how the business might be sold, how its value will be determined, whether your family will be involved in running it, and other important details. Too often, people do a great job planning for their personal assets but overlook their business—or the other way around. Either way, it usually leads to problems. You’ve worked hard to build your business, so don’t leave its future to chance. Whether you own a few rental properties with family or friends, run your own professional practice, or operate a large corporation, having a clear plan is essential.

A Revocable Living Trust is an extremely versatile and effective estate planning tool with multiple benefits. One of its main advantages is helping individuals bypass the Probate process, which can often be lengthy, costly, and emotionally taxing. By establishing a Revocable Living Trust, you can completely avoid probate. Moreover, these trusts offer protection against creditors, ensuring that if a beneficiary faces financial difficulties or makes unwise decisions, their creditors cannot claim the trust’s assets. Additionally, Revocable Living Trusts provide peace of mind by guaranteeing that your spouse and children are cared for after your passing. They also allow you to plan for potential incapacity, making sure your loved ones are supported if you become unable to manage your affairs. Overall, a Revocable Living Trust is widely regarded as one of the most effective tools for estate planning.

Establishing a Power of Attorney (POA) is an important legal action that can significantly affect both your future and that of your loved ones. A POA allows someone you trust to make decisions for you—usually regarding financial or medical issues—if you become unable to handle these matters yourself. Although it may seem convenient to create a POA using online forms or do-it-yourself kits, there are strong reasons to seek the expertise of an attorney at Coterie Law Group instead.

Estate planning often involves important tax considerations, such as estate, gift, and inheritance taxes. Thoughtful planning can help reduce these tax burdens by using strategies like making gifts, setting up trusts, and leveraging available tax exemptions and deductions. To make the most of these opportunities, it’s crucial to work with an estate planning attorney.

Our law firm offers expert guidance in gift planning to help you thoughtfully manage your generosity and achieve your personal and financial goals. Whether you wish to support family members, reduce your taxable estate, or make a meaningful charitable impact, we provide tailored strategies to support your objectives. Gift planning involves much more than simply giving money or property. Our attorneys help you navigate the rules and regulations surrounding gifting, including annual exclusions and lifetime exemption limits. We work with you to structure gifts in ways that maximize tax advantages and ensure your wishes are honored. Our services include advising on direct gifts to individuals, gifts to trusts, and charitable contributions. We also assist with more advanced planning techniques, such as irrevocable trusts, spousal lifetime access trusts (SLATs), and charitable remainder trusts. These tools can provide additional flexibility and protection for both you and your beneficiaries. By integrating gift planning with your broader estate strategy, we help you create a cohesive plan that reflects your values and secures your legacy. Let us guide you through the process of making meaningful, well-planned gifts that support your loved ones and your favorite causes. Contact us today to discuss how we can assist with your gift planning needs.

We recognize that the probate process follows a difficult and emotional loss. We can ease the stress of probating the estate by providing the technical and practical guidance that you need during a difficult time. We assist executors with such things as : Filing the will with the Court > Locating beneficiaries > Closing and opening bank accounts > Transferring assets from the deceased to the estate > Paying taxes and other debts > Coordinating CPAs, attorneys, appraisers and others.

A gun trust is a specialized legal entity designed to hold and manage firearms, particularly those regulated under the National Firearms Act (NFA). By establishing a gun trust, you transfer ownership of your firearms to the trust itself, allowing you and other named trustees to legally possess and use the weapons during your lifetime, while also providing clear instructions for their transfer upon your death or incapacity . Gun trusts offer several important benefits. They help ensure that your firearms are passed smoothly to your chosen beneficiaries without the need for probate, reducing complications for your executor and loved ones . The trust can specify who may possess or use the firearms, and you can appoint trustees who understand federal and state gun laws, helping to prevent accidental violations or transfers to individuals who are not legally permitted to own them . Additionally, a gun trust allows multiple people to legally access and use the firearms, which is especially valuable for NFA-regulated items such as suppressors or short-barreled rifles . The trust also provides a clear framework for managing and protecting your firearms in the event of your incapacity, ensuring continued compliance with all applicable laws. Contact us to learn more about how a gun trust can protect your rights and your legacy.