Estate Planning
St. Louis Estate Planning Attorneys
A well-drafted estate plan does more than say who gets what. It names guardians for minor children, designates who can make financial and medical decisions if you’re incapacitated, minimizes unnecessary taxes and probate delays, and reduces the chance of family conflict after you’re gone. For more than 20 years, O’Gorman and Sandroni have built estate plans for St. Louis-area individuals, couples, and business owners that reflect their actual goals rather than a one-size-fits-all template.
Core Documents We Prepare
Depending on your circumstances, a complete estate plan may include a last will and testament, a revocable living trust, a durable power of attorney for financial matters, a healthcare power of attorney and living will, and beneficiary designation reviews for retirement accounts and life insurance. We explain the tradeoffs between a will-based plan and a trust-based plan in plain terms, so you understand exactly what you’re signing and why.
Planning for Blended Families and Special Circumstances
Second marriages, minor or adult children from prior relationships, a family member with a disability, and closely held business interests all call for more careful drafting than a generic template can provide. We work through these scenarios with you directly so your plan actually accomplishes what you intend, rather than creating ambiguity that leads to disputes later.
Keeping Your Plan Current
Estate plans should be revisited after major life events: marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, a significant change in assets, or the death of a named fiduciary. We work with clients on an ongoing basis to review and update documents as circumstances and Missouri law change.
Wills: Make Your Wishes Known
A will helps ensure your wishes are clearly understood and your assets are distributed according to your intentions. It can also name a guardian for your minor children, giving you greater peace of mind about their future care.
Revocable Living Trusts
A revocable living trust can help you manage your assets during your lifetime and provide a smoother way to transfer them to your loved ones. When properly funded and structured, it can help your family avoid probate for assets held in the trust and maintain greater privacy.
Powers of Attorney
Life can be unpredictable. A power of attorney allows you to choose someone you trust to handle important financial or healthcare decisions if you become unable to make them yourself. Planning ahead helps ensure that the right person can act on your behalf when it matters most.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on your goals. A will alone requires probate, while a properly funded revocable trust can avoid probate, provide privacy, and offer more control over how and when beneficiaries receive assets. We help you weigh the cost and complexity of each approach against your specific situation.
Without a will or trust, Missouri’s intestacy statute determines who inherits your assets, which may not match what you would have chosen and can lead to a longer, more complicated probate process for your family.
As a general rule, review your plan every three to five years and after any major life event, such as a marriage, divorce, birth, death in the family, or significant change in assets.
Since 1985 Sean O’Gorman and Andrew Sandroni have been representing clients in all areas of the law. O’Gorman & Sandroni, P.C. was founded in 1989 on the principles of honesty, integrity, and the aggressive pursuit of our client’s goals.