Hays elder law attorney Adam Dees, spoke at the Elder Expo in Lyons, Kansas regarding methods to arrange assets to transition to the next generation. Dees is an attorney working primarily with asset protection.
Dees is an associate with Clinkscales Elder Law Practice, PA. Additional attorneys include Randy Clinkscales and Jenny Walters. The elder law focused firm was created by Clinkscales as he navigated the aging process with his grandmother.
Dees was a practicing lawyer for five years. He moved his practice to Clinkscales Elder Law Practice in order to work with families to help them bring transition through the aging process. Previously, he participated in trust litigation, but grew to feel there must be a better way to handle property transfers. “That’s why I joined Clinkscales,” said Dees.
Dees is a staunch believer in making a plan for one’s family. Said Dees, “Those plans should be both to preserve assets and provide an efficient means of transfer. Although Kansas already has a plan for how to deal with assets of each person when they die, the probate process is highly time consuming and expensive. The average time for a probate, or the core proceeding for property transfer, can take up to 18 months. When you’re passing on assets, you don’t want your family to have to go through a lengthy or difficult process. Having a plan in place will make it much easier on you and your family. There’s enough grief when someone passes away that you don’t need to add family strife.”
Dees’ presentation focused on several aspects of elder law. One distinction he made was that of a trust versus a will. A primary difference of a revocable trust is that the individual’s assets are already titled under the trust, which allows for a smoother transition to the next of kin or other beneficiary at the time of passing. Individuals can add or remove assets as they wish with a revocable trust.
Those who would like to retain Clinkscales Elder Law Practice for their services can do so even if they do not live near Hays. Clinkscales has teamed up with Adams, Brown, Beran & Ball, Chartered (ABBB), which allows for Clinkscales clients and professionals to meet at local ABBB offices throughout the state.
— Submitted