Estate Planning/Probate

The Moses Firm's estate planning and probate practice is predicated on fulfilling the clients' desires to pass on wealth to another generation and to do so with a minimum payment of taxes and attorney fees. We represent our clients at all stages of the planning process from preparing wills and trusts (inter vivos and testamentary) to the administration of an estate. We work with personal representatives and trustees in handling estate matters in single state and multi-state proceedings.

We frequently work with our business clients to plan for a smooth transfer of ownership, management and control of their business ventures as part of the process. The planning often involves business sales or reorganizations to facilitate property transfers during life and upon death.

We work with a broad range of clients whose needs range from simple wills or trusts to those in need of sophisticated estate-planning assistance with accompanying tax consequences. In addition to the preparation of wills, trusts and probate proceeding documents, we prepare health care directives (right to die declarations or living wills), powers of attorney and documents related to charitable gifts.

ESTATE PLANNING
Estate planning has the primary goal of the disposition of the decedent's assets to the devisee, heir or beneficiary in a timely and cost effective manner. Often State and Federal taxes and administrative costs of probate can erode the estate's value, if proper planning is not considered. The use of revocable and irrevocable trusts, and special needs trust are valuable in passing the greatest amount possible to heirs of the decedent.

PROBATE
New Mexico has adopted the Uniform Probate Code in an attempt to simplify the probate process. The administration of estates can be complex when disputes arise about wills, heirs, undue influence, capacity, or other contested issues. Our firm handles litigation involving the validity and administration of estates or trusts of any size. We also work with the estates of nonresident decedents to convey title to land located in New Mexico.