Hawaii Estate Planning Lawyer
We help you protect your assets and plan for the future
Estate planning is not something that people often think about. If you have assets that you would like to pass on to family members after you are gone, however, it’s important to start planning now. Hongo Law Office, LLLC helps clients in Japan and Hawaii create estate plans that meet their needs and prevent future problems.
Attorney Yuka Hongo is an experienced estate planning lawyer who can work with you to create a comprehensive plan that gives you peace of mind. She has lived and worked in the United States and Japan. She uses her bilingual skills and knowledge of both cultures to help clients overcome the barriers they face when dealing with legal issues regarding estate law.
Many people put off estate planning because they don’t like to think about dying. They may also find the process confusing. Attorney Hongo understands these concerns. She can meet with you to go over your situation, discuss your options and help you create an estate plan that works for you and your family.
What is estate planning?
Estate planning is planning for the future. It gives you control over what happens when you die or if you ever become incapacitated and can’t make decisions on your behalf. It allows you to protect your legacy and give to charitable causes that you support. Having a plan can also make things less stressful for your family after you are gone.
If you die, an estate plan can ensure that your assets are distributed the way you want them to be. Should you become incapacitated, a plan allows you to appoint someone you trust to make decisions about your finances or your health. Planning can also help you avoid unnecessary attorney’s fees and court costs.
What’s in an estate plan?
An estate plan includes a series of legal documents that clearly spell out what you want to happen should you die or become unable to make certain decisions for yourself. A lawyer can work with you to draft documents that address your specific needs and help you and your family avoid future problems.
There are different types of documents that can be included in an estate plan. A last will and testament includes instructions for the distribution of your money and property. A trust can protect your assets for your beneficiaries. A transfer on death deed can arrange for the transfer of property. A plan may also include a power of attorney giving someone you trust the legal authority to make certain decisions on your behalf.
What happens if I don’t have an estate plan?
If you pass away without an estate plan, all of your assets need to go through probate. A state court will take charge of distributing your assets and will make decisions about who the beneficiaries are. If you become incapacitated without an estate plan, a court may appoint a guardian or conservator to make decisions for you.
Not having an estate plan means that your money and property may be given away to people you did not choose. There will also be attorney’s fees, court costs associated with the probate process. There can also be family disagreements over who should be beneficiaries and how much they should get.
An estate plan can help prevent future problems
Taking the time to create an estate plan can help make things easier for you and your family if something happens. Planning for the future doesn’t have to be difficult. Attorney Yuka Hongo can help guide you through the process every step of the way to develop a plan that meets your needs and helps protect your loved ones.
Nobody likes to think about dying, but if something happens to you and there is no estate plan in place, it can lead to stress and uncertainty for your family. An estate plan gives you comfort, security and peace of mind in knowing that you have already made these decisions and your assets will be distributed in the way that you choose.
Whether you are a resident of Hawaii, or if you live in Japan and own property and other assets in Hawaii, attorney Hongo can help. She is ready to meet with you to discuss your situation, review your financial assets and learn about your goals. She can then guide you through the process of creating an estate plan that is right for you.
Learn more about how we can help you plan for your family’s future. Contact us today to schedule a consultation at a time that is convenient for you. Attorney Hongo can meet with clients at her Honolulu office. She can also meet with clients in Japan, which she usually visits twice a year. We can also arrange for a phone or video conferencing consultation.