Estate Planning

Simple Wills

A will is the cornerstone of most estate plans. Even if you think you don’t have significant assets, a properly drafted will ensures that your property—whether it’s your home, financial accounts, family heirlooms, or personal possessions—goes to the people or organizations you choose.

When you work with Hankey Law Firm to create a simple will, our attorneys will help you:

• Clearly designate who should receive your assets and property
• Name an executor to manage your estate through the probate process
• Specify how debts and taxes should be paid
• Include special instructions for the distribution of particular items
• Minimize the potential for disputes among heirs
  
  

Without a will in place, Alabama’s intestacy laws will determine how your assets are distributed, which may not align with your wishes. Additionally, the probate process can become more complicated, time-consuming, and expensive for your loved ones during an already difficult time.

Hankey Law Firm ensures that your will is properly executed according to Alabama law, giving you confidence that your final wishes will be respected and carried out as you intended.

Trust Wills and Guardianship

For Alabama parents with children under 19, estate planning takes on additional significance. A trust will allows you to not only distribute your assets but also name a guardian for your minor children—someone you trust to provide the care, guidance, and support your children need if you’re no longer able to do so.

At Hankey Law Firm, we help parents create trust wills that:

• Nominate trusted guardians for minor children
• Establish financial trusts to support children’s education, healthcare, and other needs
• Set conditions for how and when children receive their inheritance
• Protect assets from potential mismanagement until children reach an appropriate age
• Ensure continuity of care according to your parenting values and wishes

Without these provisions in place, the courts will decide who raises your children based on what they determine to be in the children’s best interests—without the benefit of knowing your preferences or family dynamics.

Our attorneys at Hankey Law Firm understand the profound importance of these decisions. We take the time to understand your family’s unique needs and help you create a plan that provides both practical protection and emotional peace of mind.

Durable Power of Attorney

A durable power of attorney is a vital document that allows you to designate someone you trust to manage your financial and legal matters if you become unable to do so yourself due to illness, injury, or other circumstances.

When you establish a durable power of attorney with Hankey Law Firm, we’ll help you:

• Select a trusted agent to act on your behalf
• Define the scope of authority granted to your agent
• Include specific instructions for managing your finances, property, and business affairs
• Create safeguards to prevent misuse of power
• Ensure the document complies with Alabama’s legal requirements

Without a durable power of attorney in place, your loved ones may need to pursue a costly and time-consuming court proceeding to gain the authority to manage your affairs if you become incapacitated. This process can delay important financial decisions and add stress during an already challenging time.

Hankey Law Firm ensures your durable power of attorney provides the right balance of protection and flexibility, giving you control over who makes financial decisions on your behalf and how those decisions are made.

Medical Power of Attorney

Also known as a healthcare proxy, a medical power of attorney allows you to name someone you trust to make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you’re unable to communicate your wishes due to illness or injury.

Our attorneys at Hankey Law Firm will help you create a medical power of attorney that:

• Designates a healthcare agent who understands and respects your values
• Provides guidance on the types of medical treatments you would want or not want
• Includes alternate agents if your first choice is unavailable
• Addresses specific medical scenarios based on your preferences
• Complies with Alabama’s healthcare laws and regulations

Medical decisions are among the most personal choices we make. By working with Hankey Law Firm to establish a medical power of attorney, you ensure that someone who knows you well and understands your wishes will be advocating for you when you need it most.

Living Will / Advance Directive

A living will, or advance directive, allows you to document your preferences for end-of-life medical care, providing clear guidance to healthcare providers and loved ones about treatments you would or would not want to receive.

When creating a living will with Hankey Law Firm, our attorneys help you address:

• Your preferences regarding life-sustaining treatments
• Comfort care and pain management options
• Organ and tissue donation wishes
• Specific medical interventions you would accept or decline
• Values and quality-of-life considerations that should guide decisions
  
  

Alabama’s advance directive laws provide a framework for these important documents, but generic forms may not fully capture your specific wishes. At Hankey Law Firm, we take the time to understand your values, concerns, and preferences, ensuring your advance directive truly reflects your desires for end-of-life care.

By clearly documenting these wishes, you reduce the emotional burden on your loved ones during difficult times and increase the likelihood that your healthcare preferences will be respected and followed.

Estate planning is one of the most responsible and caring actions you can take for yourself and your loved ones. By working with Hankey Law Firm to create a comprehensive estate plan, you’re not just preparing legal documents—you’re creating a legacy of care, protection, and thoughtful guidance that will benefit your family for generations.