An estate plan should reflect the people you care about, the property you own, and the decisions you want made if you cannot make them yourself. Beal & Whitener LLP helps individuals and families in St. Louis and the surrounding region create practical plans, put those plans into effect, and revisit them as life changes.
James E. Beal provides estate planning services to Missouri and Illinois clients. His experience in probate administration, trust matters, guardianship, and fiduciary litigation informs how he approaches planning: with attention to how the documents will work when someone must rely on them.
Ready to begin or review an existing plan? Request an estate-planning consultation or call (314) 227-1014. Many will-based and revocable trust-based plans are handled for a flat fee, with scope and fees explained before work begins.
A Plan Built Around Your Family
We begin with your circumstances and goals. That may mean a straightforward will-based plan, a revocable living trust, or more tailored planning involving an irrevocable trust. We discuss your family, proposed decision-makers, assets, existing documents, and concerns before recommending a structure.
Wills and Planning for Incapacity
A will-based estate plan may include a will, financial and health care powers of attorney, an advance directive, HIPAA authorization, and appropriate coordination of property ownership and beneficiary designations. For parents, planning includes discussing who should be nominated to care for minor children and how property intended for them should be managed.
Revocable Living Trusts
A revocable trust may provide a framework for managing assets during incapacity and carrying out your wishes after death. We help clients evaluate whether a trust fits their needs, choose trustees and successor trustees, and plan the timing and terms of distributions. Planning for a blended family, a surviving spouse, or beneficiaries who need continuing oversight requires particular care.
Irrevocable Trusts and Tailored Planning
Some goals require a different approach from a standard revocable trust. We advise on selected irrevocable trust arrangements for lifetime gifts, life insurance planning, and continuing provisions for beneficiaries, as appropriate to the engagement.
Before recommending an irrevocable arrangement, we discuss its purpose, the authority retained or given up, the trustee's responsibilities, and relevant tax and administration questions. We coordinate with accountants and other advisers when the plan requires their involvement. The appropriate structure depends on your circumstances and the law that applies to the plan.
Putting the Plan into Effect
Drafting and signing are only part of the work. We review account titling, real estate, and beneficiary designations and help coordinate them with the plan. For trust clients, the engagement can include preparing and recording appropriate deeds and assisting with financial-institution requirements. We identify the implementation work included in our engagement and any steps that require action by you or another professional.
A Clear Process and Defined Fees
Many will-based and revocable trust-based plans are handled for a flat fee. We explain the proposed scope, cost, and expected process before work begins. Our usual process includes an initial design meeting, preparation and review of documents, and a signing meeting. More complex arrangements may require additional meetings and coordination.
Missouri and Illinois Planning
James is licensed in both Missouri and Illinois. We tailor documents and implementation to the applicable state rather than treating the two as interchangeable. Tell us if you own property in both states, recently moved, or expect to relocate.
Begin or Update Your Estate Plan
Call (314) 227-1014 or contact our office. Bring existing estate documents and a general list of assets if available. You do not need to decide in advance whether you need a will or a trust; that is part of the advice we provide.
Learn more about Illinois estate planning.
Common Questions About Getting Started
Do I need to choose a will or a trust before contacting you?
No. We review your family, assets, existing documents, and goals before recommending a planning approach.
What is the estate-planning process?
Our usual process includes an initial design meeting, document preparation and review, and a signing meeting. We also identify the work needed to coordinate assets and beneficiary designations with the plan.
Can you review a plan prepared in another state?
Tell us where you now live and own property, and bring your existing documents. James is licensed in Missouri and Illinois and can evaluate planning needs involving either state.