Estate Planning and Administration

Troff, Petzke & Ammeson prides itself on the long term relationships it has developed with many of its clients over its 125 year history.  This is especially true in its probate administration and estate planning practice.  Many of our current clients are third generation family members of past clients.

Not all estate plans work for all people.  We take the time to learn about you, your assets, your beneficiaries and your goals.  This allows us to tailor an estate plan that is best for you.  Sometimes all that is necessary is a Simple Will or perhaps a Will with a Testamentary Trust.  Sometimes it requires the complexity of more sophisticated estate planning tools like Revocable Trusts (also called "Living Trusts"), Irrevocable Trusts, Charitable Trusts and other specialized Trusts.  Our attorneys are familiar with all of these estate planning tools and routinely attend continuing legal education classes to keep current on changes in laws that affect this area of the law.

In addition to a Will or a Trust, it is important to consider other advanced planning documents including a power of attorney and medical directives.  These documents can help save time when emergencies like illness arise by allowing someone else you trust to act on your behalf in limited circumstances.

In conjunction with the Business & Corporate law services we provide our clients, we offer creative and proven methods of transferring ownership of family owned businesses.  This often overlooked estate planning opportunity not only allows for the continuation of the business but preserves wealth as well.

We have extensive experience in the administration of both independent and supervised probate of estates as well as probate litigation in contested matters.  As with our estate planning services, we involve our Business & Corporate Law attorneys in the administration of estates that include ownership of businesses among its assets.  This allows us to provide assistance in the often complicated process of transferring ownership of family owned businesses or, if necessary, protect the beneficiaries of your estate from creditors by properly dissolving the entity.