PROBATE, TRUST AND ESTATE PLANNING • Helping clients preserve their assets • Minimizing the effects of estate taxes • Planning for smooth business transitions The disposition of accumulated wealth and assets can create complex issues of planning and legal process.  When personal assets also involve a family-owned business, the complexity increases dramatically and the monetary results of a lifetime of work can be at risk before they pass to rightful heirs. We specialize in estate planning and have helped clients preserve their assets and saved families from paying unnecessary estate taxes.  Our estate planning practice ranges from preparing simple wills to more complicated trusts, durable powers of attorney and living wills. Minimizing the effects of estate taxes through careful planning can involve creating family limited partnerships, irrevocable insurance trusts and other gifting plans that allow clients to reduce or eliminate any estate taxes that may be due upon their death. Our firm also assists family-owned businesses in the smooth and successful transfer of ownership to succeeding generations. When necessary, Hockensmith McKinnis Hamill, P.C. can assist surviving family members with guardianships and conservator ships.