Best Estate Planning Attorney in Atlanta

STEVE EMERT
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STEVE EMERT

Estate Planning Attorney

I have lived and worked in Gwinnett County, Georgia, since 1989. My wife and I are raising our two children here. I graduated from law school in 2000 and began practicing law in Gwinnett County. I became a partner in a law firm in 2005 and continued there until 2012.

When I launched what is now Emert | Yeom, LLC, I wanted to really make a positive difference in my clients’ lives through the practice of law. I considered the questions I am most often asked when people learn I am a lawyer.

The questions almost always involve people’s children, their property and how to protect both. They are great questions about issues that concern all of us. With that in mind, I began a practice that is interactive and personal.

Estate and business planning involve some of the most important decisions of a person’s lifetime: how we protect our life’s work and provide for those we hold most dear. With so much on the line, it’s something you need to get right.

For new clients, I start with a free interview-style consultation that is easy and intuitive. I’m looking to draw out your top concerns, explain the options, answer questions, spot potential dangers, and help you implement the right solutions.

My mission is to help each client implement a plan that is tailored to meet their specific needs and provide peace of mind.

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Miles P. Hurley

Estate Planning Attorney

Miles Patrick Hurley is an Elder Law attorney in private practice in Atlanta, serving the legal needs of the elderly population on issues related to aging; including retaining independence, quality of life and financial security. Mr. Hurley is one of twelve attorneys in the state of Georgia (and less than 500 nationwide) who have proven the enhanced knowledge, skills, experience, and proficiency to be properly identified to the public as a certified elder law attorney (CELA) by the National Elder Law Foundation (NELF). He has also achieved an AV rating from his peers, which means that he was deemed to have very high professional ethics and preeminent legal ability and has been named a Georgia Superlawyer for consecutive years.

Leadership Roles

Mr. Hurley serves or has served in the following leadership roles:

  • President of the Georgia Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
  • Committee Member of the Practice Development/Practice Management, National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
  • Founding member and Vice President of the Life Care Planning Law Firms Association (LCPLFA)
  • Chair of the Elder Law Section of the State Bar of Georgia
  • Vice president of the Board of Directors for The Lewy Body Dementia Association
  • Board member Atlanta Theater To Go
  • Board member Estate Planning Council of North Georgia
  • Troop Committee-Boy Scout Troop 74
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Russell Hodges

Accident Lawyer

I have devoted more than thirty years of practice to:

  • Helping people protect their assets and those of their elderly parents and loved ones;
  • Creating legal structures where they can grow those assets, safely;
  • Providing vehicles to pass those assets along, safely and securely to those they love.

As an honors graduate of Vanderbilt University, I learned from some of the nation’s finest minds. As a lawyer, honored by my peers with the AV Preeminent Rating (the highest possible), I strive to provide my clients with the finest, safest, and best results. I would be honored to serve you and your legal needs as I strive to exceed your expectations.

Practice Areas:

  • Estate Planning
  • Probate & Estate Administration
  • Wills
  • Trusts
  • Guardianships
  • Conservatorships
  • Personal Injury
  • Will & Trust Disputes
  • Divorce
  • Asset Protection
  • Medicaid Planning
  • Elder Law
  • Fiduciary Litigation
Kelley Napier
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Kelley Napier

Estate Planning Attorney

Kelley Napier is a partner at Georgia Estate & Elder Law in Atlanta. Kelley holds the Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA) designation from the National Elder Law Foundation (NELF), the only organization approved by the American Bar Association to offer certification in elder law. She is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, where she currently serves on the board of the Georgia Chapter. Kelley serves on the Parkinson’s Foundation Georgia Chapter Advisory Board and the Friends of Benson board supporting the Dorothy Benson Senior Center. She also participates in the Georgia Association of Women Lawyers, the Stonewall Bar Association, and the Planned Giving Council at Oglethorpe University. She has been selected as a Super Lawyer Rising Star each year since 2020.

Prior to joining Georgia Estate & Elder Law, Kelley worked with another local firm specializing in Medicaid Planning. It was this legal work and Kelley’s experience navigating the long-term care system for her grandmother that prompted her enrollment in law school. Previous to her legal work, Kelley worked in the construction industry for several years.

Education:

  • Juris Doctor, Georgia State University (GSU) College of Law, May 2015:  Honors in pro bono service

  • Masters in Business Administration (MBA), Piedmont College, May 2009

  • Bachelors of Arts in Sociology with Concentration in Social Work, Oglethorpe University, August 2004, cum laude

Kristen Rajagopal
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Kristen Rajagopal

Estate Planning Attorney

Bequest is a flat fee Intown Atlanta law firm run by Kristen Rajagopal.  Kristen, who is originally from a Kentucky suburb of Cincinnati, graduated magna cum laude and with honors from Brown University.  She received her law degree from the University of Southern California Law School, which is consistently ranked among the top law schools in the country.

Kristen has been an attorney for over a decade and has practiced law at a number of prominent law firms in Atlanta and in the San Francisco Bay Area.  She has been recognized as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers for several years and serves on the Estate Planning and Probate Section of the Atlanta Bar Association. Kristen and her husband live in the Virginia Highland neighborhood of Atlanta with their two young sons and crazy dog.

John Cleveland Hill
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John Cleveland Hill

Estate Planning Attorney

John Cleveland (“Cleve”) Hill is an experienced estate planning and probate lawyer who has been recognized by his peers as one of the top trust and estate lawyers in Georgia. He has spoken throughout metropolitan Atlanta at numerous seminars on the topic of wills, trusts, and estates. Cleve has been selected by fellow attorneys statewide for Georgia Trend Magazine’s “Legal Elite” in the area of Wills/Estates/Taxes and was selected for inclusion in 2017 and 2018 Super Lawyers “Rising Stars” and 2023 Super Lawyers in the area of Estate Planning. Each year, no more than 5 percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor. In June 2013, Cleve was recognized by the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce as one of their “10 in 10 Young Professionals to Watch”.

Cleve began his law practice in 2004 in the bankruptcy and financial restructuring practice at Powell Goldstein, LLP (now Bryan Cave), one of Atlanta’s oldest and largest law firms. In joining the then-solo practice of Phill Bettis, Esq. in 2007, Cleve followed his passion for helping others by focusing his practice exclusively in estate planning (Wills, Trusts, charitable planning), probate, guardianship/conservatorships, pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements, and small business planning and transactions. In 2010, he was joined by Caroline Munroe, Esq. in establishing Bettis, Hill, & Vann, LLC (now Hill & Watchko, LLC) as a premiere wills, trusts, asset protection and wealth/inheritance preservation, and estates boutique practice in north metro Atlanta.

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Nichole Smith

Estate Planning Attorney

Attorney Smith is an experienced and trusted Immigration attorney. Smith Immigration provides comprehensive legal advice and counsel to individuals and businesses on a wide range of immigration issues, including visa applications, family-based petitions, employment eligibility, naturalization process assistance, deportation defense services and more. She has extensive knowledge of the ever-changing laws surrounding U.S. immigration policies and procedures which allows her to provide reliable advice tailored to each client’s unique situation.

Education

  • Georgetown University Law Center, Washington, District of Columbia
    • J.D.
    • Honors: PILS, Juvenile Justice Award
  • William & Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia
    • B.A. – 1995

Languages

  • English
  • Spanish
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Charles M. Hall

Estate Planning Attorney

When I received my law degree from Emory University four decades ago, it was one big step toward the dream I had since I was a teenager of helping people deal with legal issues.  My goal , which became more focused as I started my law  practice was to help the people of my new home, the growing city of Atlanta and the surrounding areas, solve legal problems,  build solid plans for the future and  protect their rights during disputes. Today, I continue to strive toward my original goal by offering a wide range of estate planning, business and real estate services and litigation skills to the residents of most of Georgia, but especially the towns, cities and counties of North Georgia.

Thanks to my reputation as a patient, caring attorney, clients from the entire Atlanta area, including Roswell, Alpharetta, Decatur, Marietta, Smyrna, Sandy Springs and Jonesboro and the counties of Fulton, Gwinnett, DeKalb, Cobb, Douglas, Forstyh and Clayton and the rest of metro Atlanta know to turn to me for assistance with the following:

  • Creation of guardianships and conservatorships and  wills, trusts, powers of attorney and other estate planning tools, including business succession plans, special needs trusts, revocable and irrevocable trusts and Advance Directives to be given to health care providers and to someone you trust to make decisions for you when you are no longer able to express your wishes
  • Will contests, probate litigation and domestic partnership estate-related matters, especially those involving shared real estate ownership
  • Representation for real estate and business-related disputes
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Atlanta, the thriving metropolis of the American South, is a city of dreams, opportunities, and aspirations. Amid the hustle and bustle of life, individuals often overlook one critical aspect: estate planning. It’s an essential process that ensures your hard-earned assets and legacy are protected and distributed according to your wishes. To navigate this complex terrain, you need the guidance of the best estate planning attorneys in Atlanta. This article explores the qualities that set these professionals apart and emphasizes their pivotal role in securing your family’s financial future.

Link to Legal Aid Resources: Legal Aid – USA.gov

Understanding the Role of Estate Planning Attorneys:

Before we delve into the qualities that define the best estate planning attorneys in Atlanta, it’s essential to comprehend their role in the estate planning process:

  1. Legal Expertise: Estate planning attorneys possess specialized knowledge of state and federal laws related to wills, trusts, probate, and estate taxes.

  2. Document Drafting: They draft legal documents such as wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives tailored to your specific needs and goals.

  3. Tax Planning: Estate planning attorneys help you minimize estate taxes and ensure efficient wealth transfer to your heirs.

  4. Asset Protection: They provide strategies to safeguard your assets from potential creditors and legal challenges.

  5. Probate Avoidance: The best estate planning attorneys aim to minimize the time and costs associated with the probate process, ensuring a smoother transition of assets.

Qualities of the Best Estate Planning Attorneys in Atlanta:

What distinguishes the best estate planning attorneys in Atlanta from others? Let’s explore the key attributes and qualities that define these legal professionals:

  1. Expertise in Estate Planning:

    • The best estate planning attorneys have a deep understanding of estate planning laws and strategies, keeping up-to-date with changing regulations.

  2. Experience Matters:

    • Years of experience in estate planning is a critical indicator of an attorney’s proficiency. These lawyers have a proven track record of successfully helping clients with similar estate planning needs.

  3. Local Knowledge:

    • Familiarity with Atlanta’s legal landscape, local probate courts, and tax regulations is a significant advantage. The best attorneys understand the nuances of the city’s estate planning environment.

  4. Effective Communication Skills:

    • Clear and effective communication is vital in estate planning. The best attorneys can explain complex legal matters in plain language, ensuring clients fully comprehend their options and decisions.

  5. Personalized Approach:

    • Top estate planning attorneys take a personalized approach, tailoring their services to your unique family dynamics, financial situation, and goals.

  6. Transparent Fees:

    • The best attorneys are transparent about their fees and billing practices, ensuring clients have a clear understanding of the costs involved.

  7. Empathy and Compassion:

    • Estate planning can be an emotionally charged process. The best attorneys approach their clients with empathy and compassion, recognizing the sensitive nature of the decisions being made.

  8. Accessibility:

    • Accessibility to clients is crucial. The best estate planning attorneys are responsive and readily available to address client needs and concerns.

  9. Comprehensive Services:

    • They offer a wide range of estate planning services, including wills, trusts, advance healthcare directives, and powers of attorney, to meet your needs comprehensively.

  10. Tax Expertise:

    • Knowledge of tax planning and strategies to minimize estate taxes is a significant advantage. The best attorneys help you maximize your assets’ value for your beneficiaries.

How the Best Estate Planning Attorneys Can Help:

Now that we’ve outlined the qualities of the best estate planning attorneys in Atlanta, let’s explore how they can assist you in securing your family’s financial future:

  1. Will Drafting:

    • Estate planning attorneys draft legally sound wills that specify how your assets will be distributed upon your passing, ensuring your wishes are carried out.

  2. Trust Formation:

    • They help you establish trusts, such as revocable living trusts or irrevocable trusts, to protect your assets and avoid probate.

  3. Advance Healthcare Directives:

    • Attorneys assist in creating advance healthcare directives, allowing you to appoint a healthcare proxy and outline your medical preferences in case you become incapacitated.

  4. Powers of Attorney:

    • They draft powers of attorney documents, designating individuals to manage your financial and legal affairs if you become unable to do so.

  5. Estate Tax Planning:

    • The best estate planning attorneys employ strategies to minimize estate taxes, ensuring more of your assets are preserved for your heirs.

  6. Asset Protection:

    • Attorneys provide guidance on asset protection strategies, shielding your wealth from potential creditors and legal challenges.

Conclusion:

In the vibrant city of Atlanta, the best estate planning attorneys are dedicated guardians of your legacy, committed to ensuring your assets and wishes are protected. Their expertise, experience, and unwavering commitment to your family’s financial well-being make them indispensable allies in the pursuit of a secure future. Whether through document drafting, tax planning, or asset protection, the best estate planning attorneys in Atlanta work diligently to ensure that your estate planning goals are met, providing you with peace of mind and the assurance that your loved ones will be taken care of when the time comes.

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