Estate Planning attorneys in
St. Charles, serving clients throughout St. Charles County, St. Louis County and surrounding Counties in Missouri and Illinois

Estate Planning Services

Our St. Charles estate planning lawyers provide comprehensive services to help you protect what matters most. From wills and trusts to powers of attorney and asset protection strategies, we tailor every plan to your goals and circumstances.

Wills and Trusts

A Last Will and Testament outlines how your assets will be distributed and who will manage your estate. It also allows you to name guardians for minor children. Without a will, the State of Missouri determines how property is divided through intestate administration, which can be time-consuming and costly.

To avoid probate and maintain privacy, many families choose to incorporate trusts into their estate plan. 

Common Trusts We Create Include:

• Revocable Trusts – Flexible trusts that can be modified during your lifetime.
• Irrevocable Trusts – Often used for asset protection or to qualify for government benefits.
• Family and Heritage Trusts – Protect inheritances from creditors, divorce, and bankruptcy while preserving assets for future generations.
• Special Needs Trusts – Provide long-term support for loved ones with disabilities without affecting benefit eligibility.
• Residence, Farm, and Investment Trusts – Designed to protect specific assets such as a family home, farm, or investments.
• Charitable Trusts – Direct assets to charitable organizations that reflect your values.

We also help clients explore options like Living Trusts, Pay-On-Death (POD), and Transfer-On-Death (TOD) designations to simplify transfers and avoid probate when appropriate.

Powers of Attorney

Every adult should have Power of Attorney (POA) documents to ensure that trusted individuals can make financial and medical decisions if needed.

• Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare – Appoints someone to make healthcare decisions if you become unable to do so, ensuring your medical preferences are followed.
• Financial Durable Power of Attorney – Grants authority to handle financial matters, from managing accounts to paying bills, in the event of incapacity.

If your POAs are more than a few years old, it’s important to have them reviewed to ensure they comply with current Missouri law and reflect your wishes.

Asset Protection

Our firm helps clients protect their wealth from the rising costs of long-term care, unforeseen health issues, and other financial risks. Asset Protection strategies can safeguard your home, preserve savings, and help qualify for Medicaid or VA benefits when appropriate.

Advanced planning provides you with more options. Our attorneys will help you explore the best approach based on your circumstances.

Special Needs Planning

Families caring for a loved one with disabilities face unique challenges. A Special Needs Trust allows you to set aside funds for care and support without jeopardizing eligibility for benefits like Medicaid or SSI.

Our attorneys also assist families in establishing guardianships or powers of attorney once a child with special needs reaches adulthood, ensuring continued advocacy and financial security.

Guardianships and Conservatorships

If someone becomes incapacitated without valid Power of Attorney documents, a court may need to appoint a Guardian (for healthcare decisions) and/or Conservator (for financial management). While these arrangements are sometimes necessary, they can be time-consuming and expensive.

Proper estate planning can often prevent the need for court involvement, ensuring that the people you choose have the authority to act on your behalf.

Our Estate Planning Process

Our process is designed to give you confidence and clarity at every step from your first meeting to the final signing of your documents.

1. Initial Phone Call – Our attorneys seek to understand your goals, family structure and concerns.
2. Custom Strategy – Our attorneys explain available options and recommend the best approach.
3. Document Preparation – We draft clear, legally sound documents that reflect your wishes.
4. Ongoing Support – We’re here to make updates as your life and needs change.

Start Planning Today

Estate planning provides more than legal protection it provides peace of mind. At Beck, Lenox & Stolzer Estate Planning and Elder Law, LLC, we’ve helped thousands of families throughout St. Charles County, St. Louis County and surrounding Counties in Missouri and Illinois create plans that stand the test of time.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced estate planning attorneys in St. Charles, MO. Together, we’ll secure your legacy and protect the people who matter.