For over four decades, Ettinger Law Firm has been transforming the way legal services are provided to older adults. Led by attorney Michael Ettinger, the firm safeguards seniors’ rights and well-being through the pioneering concept of “elder law estate planning”. This distinctive approach integrates elder law and estate planning into a cohesive strategy that protects assets and ensures long-term care, financial security and peace of mind for older adults and their families.
The firm’s hallmark is its tailored legal solutions that focus on the social side of estate planning. It goes beyond legally protecting clients to assuring they understand the social and emotional repercussions these plans can have on their heirs. “When you get into estate planning, how you leave the estate can either bring the family together or tear it apart,” says Ettinger. He emphasizes an approach designed to prevent conflicts between heirs and create a legacy beyond financial distributions.
Typically, estate planning is a legal exercise that consists of drafting wills, creating trusts and distributing assets. This narrow focus on legalities overlooks the ripple effects estate plans can create within families. For instance, leaving unequal shares of an estate without explanation can lead to resentment among heirs. “T”, says attorney Ettinger. Ettinger Law treats estate planning as a social exercise, viewing it from the perspective of the heirs, those who will live with the consequences of these decisions, to preserve family harmony.
Its distinctive approach stands on the foundation of its “Lifetime Estate Planning Process.” The process starts with building confidence and aligns with the firm’s philosophy: “If you don’t understand the plan, you don’t have a plan.”
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