Sarah Siedentopf

Atlanta estate planning firm Siedentopf Law helps individuals and families throughout the Atlanta and Brookhaven area with their estate planning needs including trusts, probate, wills, advance directives, powers of attorney, guardianship, digital assets and more. Because we can conduct meetings by phone or video conference, we are also able to conveniently help clients who live too far away to conveniently drive to us. We can even help executors and administrators of estates who live outside Georgia.

Recent changes in state and federal laws present new opportunities to take care of the ones you love, but also create possible hiccups in your previous estate plans. Whether you are looking to write your first will, modify an existing one, draft an advance directive for health care (living will), start the process of probate, or address any other estate planning issue, Siedentopf Law is here to help.

Whether your family is big or small, well-established or newly minted, estate planning is truly for everyone, not just the wealthy! Atlanta estate planning firm Siedentopf Law can help you identify the options that will work best for you and your family.

We assist families of all shapes and sizes with their planning needs including drafting wills, creating advance health care directives, setting up trusts, establishing powers of attorney, guardianships for minors, end-of-life planning, identifying opportunities to avoid probate and more.

As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Life is full of surprises. Many are good, some…not so much. It’s important to have a plan in place that provides for your family and estate in any circumstance. Schedule an initial estate planning consultation today with Siedentopf Law to plan for your family’s future and provide for those you love.

Most people have a basic understanding of what a will is. However, many put off creating this important legal document, opting to do it “later.” But what if you never get that opportunity? As harsh as it seems, this is at the crux of why having a Last Will & Testament is so important – because tomorrow is never guaranteed.

Creating a Last Will & Testament provides both you and your family peace of mind knowing your wishes, should you pass, will be executed according to your desires. If you are a resident of Georgia and over the age of 14, you are eligible to create a legally binding will. Already have a trust in place? Even those with trusts should have a “pour over” will that covers anything that may have inadvertently been left out of their trust and designates a guardian for any minor children.

When you hear the term “trust” in estate planning, you may think it’s meant only for the wealthy. However, it’s actually a valuable tool that can be used by everyone! Still not certain a trust is for you? Let’s dive a bit deeper…

A standard will becomes public record once filed with the probate court; trusts provide privacy and a higher level of control. With a trust, a legal arrangement is made where a party is designated to hold property on behalf of another. This is done so you may direct the funds to the people and causes you care about, take care of minor children, plan for contingencies and even allow a trustee to care for you and manage your assets if something happens to you.

Nobody wants to think about handing over the reins if they’re incapacitated, but it’s an important necessity that can save your family tremendous stress and heartache.

Contingency planning through the establishment of a power of attorney agent provides peace of mind that certain financial and/or medical decisions will be handled as you see fit should you become unable make them yourself. This person acting on your behalf will, for all intents and purposes, be viewed as you for these particular decisions and can act when you are not able or not willing to. Their decisions are considered final and legally binding.

Fulfilling a loved one’s estate planning requests can be confusing and difficult. Navigating the court system and legal requirements for administering estates, wrapping up final tax filings and other necessary duties is often too much for those who are grieving. Consulting an attorney for assistance can make this process less stressful and keep it from overwhelming your life.

Atlanta probate firm Siedentopf Law is here to help. We help individuals and families with their probate needs in DeKalb County and Fulton County, as well as Cobb County, Gwinnett County, and lot of other counties in Georgia. We help with drafting and filing of probate petitions, general monitoring and management of standard probate processes, as well as advising on and representation for issues including intestacy concerns, rumors of elder financial abuse prior to death, contesting of the will, government liens on estate assets and more. Reach out to us today about how we can help you through all aspects of Georgia’s probate process.

Are you a business owner or considering investment properties? We are able to assist with the creation and maintenance of LLCs, trusts, and family partnerships in order to meet your goals. We can also assist you with your philanthropic goals if leaving a lasting legacy in your community is one of your objectives.

We also love clients with pets and include planning for their care and maintenance in wills and trusts. Just because you don’t have human children doesn’t mean that you are your furry family don’t need taken care of.

Memberships include:

• Elder Law Section, Atlanta Bar Association (2017 - Present, Chair 2018/2019)

• Women in the Profession, Atlanta Bar Association (Member at Large 2016 - Present)

• Georgia Association for Women Lawyers (Programs Committee Member 2014 - 2016)

• Phi Alpha Delta Atlanta Alumni (Clerk 2013 - 2016)

• University of Tennessee System Board Atlanta (2013 - 2016)

• National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (2015 - 2017)

• Brookhaven Chamber of Commerce (2016 - Present)

• City Club of Buckhead (2016 - 2018)

• Peachtree Club (2018 - Present)