Oklahoma City Estate Services
Why Estate Planning Is Essential for Your Legacy
Estate planning is one of the most important measures you will ever take to protect both your loved ones and your legacy. Unfortunately, far too many people fail to recognize how critical these measures really are until it’s too late.
You go to great lengths during your life to manage your assets and provide for your family. Estate planning is a way for you to continue to take care of them, even if you are no longer around to do so.
Contact McBride & Associates, P.C. today to learn more about our comprehensive services.
Benefits of Effective Estate Planning
Here are just a few of the benefits of a good plan:
- Name Your Beneficiaries - express who gets what if you die, even when and how they are to receive their inheritance.
- Name Your Fiduciaries – pick who will take care of your affairs if you become incapacitated/incompetent or were to die.
- Avoid Expensive Court Proceedings – minimize and even stop probates, guardianships, and court fights.
- Select Guardians – name who will take care of your minor children if you cannot.
- Settle Your Estate Quickly – fast and efficient estate settlement is a crucial benefit of good estate planning.
- Protect Your Business – business succession and continuity planning are an absolute must for every business owner.
- Pick Your Medical Decision-Maker – define who will make medical decisions for you, if you cannot do so for yourself.
For fully personalized guidance from professionals who care, call (405) 896-3615 or contact us online today.
Commonly Asked Questions
How often should I update my estate plan?
What is the difference between a will and a trust?
What documents are commonly included in an estate plan?
What Is Included in Estate Plans?
Here are just a few of the tools you will likely need as part of your complete estate plan:
Wills
The Last Will and Testament, or “Will” for short, is one of the most common estate planning tools. In it, you to determine who receives your assets upon your death, and who will handle the settling of your estate. Remember, your Will has no legal affect until it is admitted to probate (presented to court in a formal proceeding, called a “probate”).
Trusts
The Revocable Living Trust, or “Trust” for short, is one of the most powerful and effective estate planning tools. You can define in your fiduciaries and beneficiaries, yet you can do much more. There are many types of trusts.
One of the major benefits of trusts are that they don't require the involvement of a court. If properly designed and used, they allow you to avoid expensive and time-consuming probates, guardianships, and possible court fights.
Powers of Attorney
A Power of Attorney is a legal tool where one person, called the “Principal,” gives another person, called the “Attorney-in-Fact,” the power to take care of some matter. They are very helpful if you, the Principal, were to ever become incapacitated. This tool is often used in conjunction with your Trust.
Healthcare Directives
Healthcare Directives are actually a collection of legal tools addressing your personal wishes regarding healthcare. They often include a Medical Power of Attorney where you pick someone to make decisions on your behalf if you cannot do so.
Another important tool, called a Living Will allows you to express whether you wish to receive life-prolonging treatment if you hopelessly sick or injured.
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"I highly recommend David McBride. He will listen to you."
I first met David when he was with his elderly father. I noticed how kind he was to his dad. I also noticed that David made sure his dad’s opinions were listened to and validated. I thought, “I like this guy. He is a good man.” Then I found out David was an attorney. I have not lived in the OKC/Edmond area for very long, and I didn’t know any attorneys. However, I needed one. Isn’t it funny how the universe places the right people in your path at the right time? I had co-signed my daughter’s mortgage. She became unable to pay her monthly payment and was too embarrassed to let me know. It was at that point I should have got legal counsel, but I didn’t. Things progressed without her or me doing anything right in this situation. The house went up for Sheriff’s sale. I was afraid I was going to end up owing a lot of money. However, David worked everything out to a happy ending. I highly recommend David McBride. He will listen to you. He will explain things in terms you can understand. He will give you all the options to consider. He is fair in his billing. I recommend David McBride.- Shelley -
"I have had nothing but excellent experiences with the law firm of McBride & Associates."
I have had nothing but excellent experiences with the law firm of McBride & Associates. McBride & Associates has helped my family and extended family with many legal situations including estate planning, an auto accident, and dealing with prior creditors. I have known David McBride for years and he is very knowledgeable and not only a great attorney but someone who truly cares. I never would want anyone else representing me but David and his staff!- Darrell -
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McBride & Associates has a wonderful group of knowledgeable attorneys and the staff is very friendly and helpful. They did a great job handling our legal matters.- E.S. -
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From the receptionist to the completion... Great group of professionals that "listen to your story and design a plan to meet your needs!"- Sherilynn -
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Not only is the entire "family" of McBride & Associates professional, they are outstandingly friendly. They complement one another, working amazingly well together to exceed all of my legal needs and inquiries in a very timely manner. Highly recommended. THANK YOU McBride & Assoc !!! :)- Douglas -
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David has been great to me and my family. We have used his services since 2005. He has helped us with Trusts and LLC's. He put our business into a series LLC before most attorney's even knew what a series LLC was. Thanks for all your help!- Mike -
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Excellent services provided....David and his staff did a great job with our personal and business needs. Highly recommend McBride & Associates!- Ted -
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I highly recommend David McBride for his legal services. My family hired David for our first bankruptcy case. My Husband and I have been very, very satisfied. Not only does he possess immense patience and compassion, but is also very intelligent and well spoken. From the moment I spoke with him, I knew that he was there to look out for his clients' best interest rather than his own. I've heard my share of lawyer horror stories and have always been very cautious when approaching them. I am ecstatic that we were able to find a lawyer who is motivated by sound ethics, as they are often very difficult to come by. I highly recommend David McBride. I also want to say a huge thank you to Jay, Mr. McBride's Legal Assistant. He helped to make sure that we had everything we needed and made sure that everything was taken care. Thank you, David and Jay for all that you did for us.- Zane
Prenuptial Agreement
A Prenuptial Agreement is written contract between two persons, made beforethey are married. This contract defines how certain assets and matters will be handled should the parties ever divorce.
Yet, the “PreNup,” as it is often called, allows to parties to ensure their estates are managed in the way that each wish, if one or both of them were to pass away. So, they are not just for divorce.
Today, Blended Families, where one or both spouses have children from previous relationships, are very common. Blended Families, frequently with the inclusion of Trusts, can greatly benefit from the use of a PreNup.
Business Succession Plans
Business Succession Plans are a collection of tools and strategies to ensure that your business survives and even flourishes if you were to get sick or die. If you have put endless time and money into your business, you are not likely willing to let it die—even if you are no longer the one to manage it.
With an effective business succession plan, you can ensure the person or entity you trust has the rights and responsibilities needed to continue growing your business. You can also ensure an easy transition of the control and ownership of one of you most valuable asset to those you wish to receive it.
These are just a few of the tools we may use to accomplish your estate planning goals. Every person’s estate planning goals are unique, so every plan will require specific techniques and tools to achieve those goals.
Understanding Estate Planning in Oklahoma City
In Oklahoma City, effective estate planning is essential for protecting your assets and caring for your loved ones. With a growing population and a vibrant community, local families face unique challenges when it comes to planning for the future. The Oklahoma County Clerk’s Office offers guidance on estate documentation, but navigating the legal jargon and processes can feel overwhelming.
A well-structured estate plan can also alleviate stress by providing clear instructions on how your assets will be distributed, minimizing confusion and potential conflicts. Beyond financial security, a comprehensive estate plan also allows you to express your wishes through important tools such as wills, trusts, power of attorney, and healthcare directives.
At McBride & Associates, P.C., we are passionate about creating tailored estate plans for families in Oklahoma City. Our experienced team understands the local legal landscape and the importance of crafting a plan that fits your unique circumstances. Whether you're starting from scratch or need to update an existing plan, we can guide you through every step of the process. We'll take the time to address your concerns, answer your questions, and help you make informed decisions about your future.
How We Can Help
At McBride & Associates, P. C. , our attorneys have a litany of tools we can use to protect your legacy and help you convey your wishes in powerful documents.
To get started, just contact us to schedule a time to discuss your estate in detail. Remember, there's no cost or obligation to meet with us and learn your options. *
*The first hour is free, most initial meetings last about one hour.
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Handled Thousands of Cases
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Experienced in Both Consumer and Business Bankruptcy
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Offer Free Initial Consultation*
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Helping Clients Since 1996