What Is the Difference Between a Will and a Trust?

A will directs how your assets are distributed after death and can name guardians for minor children. A trust can manage and protect assets during your lifetime and afterward, and it may help avoid probate. An attorney can explain which fits your goals.

When Should I Hire an Estate Planning Attorney?

Consider hiring one after major life events, such as marriage, a new child, buying property, or a change in your health. You can also hire an attorney any time you want to update an existing plan.

What Happens if I Die Without a Will in Alabama?

Without a valid will, Alabama's intestate succession laws decide who receives your assets, and your estate may have to go through probate. A will lets you make those choices yourself.

How Long Does Estate Planning Take?

Most plans take a few weeks, depending on complexity and document preparation. The first meeting gathers information, and your attorney then drafts and reviews documents with you.

Estate Planning Law Firm Serving Point Clear, AL

Estate planning law firm lawyers reviewing documents.

Johnstone Adams, LLC is an estate planning law firm for Point Clear, AL, families who want clear, lasting plans for the people and property they care about. Our attorneys serve Point Clear from our Mobile office and bring more than a century of Alabama legal experience to every plan. Whether you need a first will or a full trust based plan, we explain your options in plain language. Call (251) 432-7682 to schedule a consultation.

Estate Planning Services for Point Clear Families

A good estate plan puts your wishes in writing and spares your family confusion later. Our services may include:

▸ Wills that name who receives your property and who serves as executor.

▸ Revocable living trusts that may help your family avoid or simplify probate.

▸ Durable powers of attorney so a trusted person can manage your finances if you cannot.

▸ Healthcare directives that state your medical wishes.

▸ Guardianship planning for minor children and for loved ones with special needs.

▸ Business succession planning for family-owned companies.

▸ Support with probate and estate administration when a loved one has passed.

You can learn more about our tax, trust, and estate attorneys and our probate and estate administration services.

How Our Estate Planning Process Works

Our estate planning law firm keeps the process straightforward and puts you in control. Here is what to expect:

1. Meet with an attorney to review your assets, family situation, and goals.

2. Identify the right documents, which may include a will, trust, power of attorney, or advance directive.

3. Review existing documents and accounts that may need updating or retitling.

4. Draft and sign your plan according to Alabama legal requirements.

5. Store your documents safely and update them as your life or the law changes.

Our guide on what to bring to your first consultation can help you prepare.

Who Our Estate Plans Suit

Estate planning is not only for the wealthy. Anyone who owns property or has loved ones can benefit. Our clients often include:

▸ Young families who need guardianship plans for their children.

▸ Owners of bayfront homes, second homes, and rental properties.

▸ Retirees who want to protect savings and plan for healthcare decisions.

▸ Blended families who want clear instructions to prevent disputes.

▸ Business owners who want a plan for the next generation.

If you are searching for a family estate planning attorney near Point Clear, AL, we welcome the chance to talk through your situation.

Why Families Choose Johnstone Adams

Families choose us for experience, clear communication, and careful work. Since 1897, our firm has grown from a South Alabama firm into a regional practice, and our attorneys continue that tradition. The firm has been recognized as a Best Law Firms honoree, and as an estate planning law firm, we handle estate planning, tax, trusts, and probate under one roof. For more about our history, visit our firm page.

Serving Point Clear and the Eastern Shore From Mobile

We serve Point Clear, Fairhope, Daphne, Spanish Fort, and other Baldwin County communities from our office at 1 Saint Louis Street, Suite 4000, in Mobile. Many Eastern Shore families hold a mix of real estate, retirement accounts, and family businesses, so our estate planning law firm builds each plan around your situation instead of a generic template. Our office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., by appointment. See our Baldwin County page for more on how we help Eastern Shore residents.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Difference Between a Will and a Trust?
A will directs how your assets are distributed after death and can name guardians for minor children. A trust can manage and protect assets during your lifetime and afterward, and it may help avoid probate. An attorney can explain which fits your goals.
When Should I Hire an Estate Planning Attorney?
Consider hiring one after major life events, such as marriage, a new child, buying property, or a change in your health. You can also hire an attorney any time you want to update an existing plan.
What Happens if I Die Without a Will in Alabama?
Without a valid will, Alabama's intestate succession laws decide who receives your assets, and your estate may have to go through probate. A will lets you make those choices yourself.
How Long Does Estate Planning Take?
Most plans take a few weeks, depending on complexity and document preparation. The first meeting gathers information, and your attorney then drafts and reviews documents with you.

Schedule Your Consultation

Ready to protect your family? Call Johnstone Adams, LLC at (251) 432-7682 or toll free at (844) 682-7682, or visit our contact page, to meet with an estate planning law firm serving Point Clear, AL. This page offers general information and is not legal advice.