Peterborough Estate Planning Attorney

Planning for the future is essential to protecting your family, assets, and legacy. At Shaheen & Gordon, P.A., our experienced attorneys are dedicated to helping individuals and families in the Granite State, including Peterborough and the Greater Monadnock region, secure peace of mind through tailored trust and estate solutions. Whether you’re just beginning to consider your estate planning options or need to update existing documents, an estate planning attorney from our firm can guide you every step of the way.

Shaheen & Gordon is a full-service law firm serving New Hampshire for over 40 years

At Shaheen & Gordon, our history of success has focused on personalized, results-driven legal representation. For over four decades, we’ve combined deep local roots with expansive legal knowledge, serving clients across New Hampshire, including Peterborough. Our client-first philosophy ensures tailored solutions are delivered with care and professionalism.

Beyond legal work, our Peterborough lawyers actively participate in community life, supporting local causes and initiatives that strengthen Northern New England. Blending national-level proficiency with local insight, we provide practical, relevant advice on estate planning and other matters, ensuring solutions align with our client’s goals and values.

Shaheen & Gordon offers comprehensive trust, estate, and guardianship services

An estate planning attorney will work closely with you in Peterborough to create and execute a comprehensive plan tailored to your unique needs. Here are the key components we typically address:

Wills: A well-drafted will is the cornerstone of any comprehensive estate plan. We can help you create a will that names beneficiaries, appoints an executor, provides for minor children, and includes charitable provisions.
Trusts: Trusts are flexible tools for managing and transferring assets. We assist in setting up revocable, irrevocable, special needs, and charitable trusts.
Powers of attorney: A power of attorney lets you designate someone to make financial or healthcare decisions on your behalf. We ensure these documents reflect your wishes.
Probate administration: Our attorneys guide you through probate, helping with asset collection, debt payment, tax handling, and asset distribution to beneficiaries.
Guardianship: We assist in creating guardianship plans to designate a trusted caregiver for minor children or loved ones with special needs.
Tax planning: We help minimize estate taxes through strategies like gift tax planning, charitable giving, and other tax-saving techniques.
Elder law planning: Our elder law attorneys assist with Medicaid planning, guardianship, conservatorship, and long-term care strategies to address your future needs.

Our former clients speak on how we make a difference

The testimonials from our past clients show our team’s dedication and commitment to success. Here’s what they have to say.

Right to control your assets: NH law lets you decide how to distribute your property through wills and trusts. Without an estate plan, state intestacy laws determine distribution, which may not match your wishes.

Right to avoid probate: NH offers tools like trusts, joint ownership, and payable-on-death accounts to help reduce or avoid probate, streamlining the process for your beneficiaries.

Right to appoint decision-makers: When incapacitated, you can use powers of attorney, healthcare proxies, or executors to assign trusted individuals to manage your financial and healthcare decisions.

Right to tax and asset protection: While NH has no estate tax, federal estate taxes may apply to larger estates. Strategic planning with tools like trusts, gifting, or charitable giving can minimize taxes and safeguard assets.

Right to update and modify your plan: NH law allows you to revise wills, modify trusts, and update legal documents to reflect changes in your life circumstances.

Right to legal guidance: Estate planning can be complex, but a knowledgeable estate planning lawyer in Peterborough can ensure your plan meets NH legal requirements and protects your interests.

By leveraging these rights, you can create an estate plan that aligns with your values and secures your family’s future. Shaheen & Gordon, P.A., is here to smoothly and confidently guide you.

Shaheen & Gordon’s former clients speak on how we make a difference

The testimonials from our past clients show our team’s dedication and commitment to success. Here’s what they have to say.

★★★★★“I just wanted to reach out and say thank you! I have been putting off this process because I felt like it was going to be so overwhelming, but you made it extremely easy to understand and were so easy to communicate with!! It is like a huge weight lifted off my shoulders!”
Brianna G.

★★★★★“I just want to thank you . . . for making this process so much easier than I thought it would be. You cared and that really was very important to me and I knew I was in good hands. You would come highly recommended to family and friends. My deepest appreciation to both of you.”
Ramona B.

★★★★★“Many thanks to you . . . for a wonderful job and all the great support during a challenging time for my family. You were both very efficient and professional.”
Liz T.

Shaheen & Gordon helps you navigate NH estate planning laws

Estate planning can be overwhelming, especially with New Hampshire’s legal requirements. At Shaheen & Gordon, a Peterborough estate planning lawyer will guide you through the process, ensuring your plan reflects your wishes and complies with state and federal laws. NH offers flexibility in estate planning but also has specific nuances, including:

No state estate tax: NH doesn’t have a state estate or inheritance tax, though federal estate taxes may apply to larger estates.
Simplified probate process: NH offers a streamlined probate process for uncontested estates, but attention to detail is needed to avoid delays or disputes.
Advanced healthcare directives: NH recognizes formal advance directives, allowing you to specify medical preferences and appoint a healthcare agent.

Our attorneys are well-versed in these laws, ensuring your plan fully benefits from available protections and meets all legal standards.

We offer tailored solutions for every stage of life

Estate planning is not a one-size-fits-all process. Your needs will vary depending on age, family structure, financial situation, and long-term goals. A Peterborough estate planning attorney will take the time to understand your circumstances and craft a plan that evolves with you.

For young families: If you are starting a family, estate planning ensures your children are cared for if the unexpected happens. We focus on appointing guardians, creating trusts for minors, and setting up essential protections.
For high-net-worth individuals: Estate planning includes strategies for tax minimization, asset protection, and charitable giving. We help preserve wealth for future generations and support your philanthropic goals.
For seniors and retirees: As you approach retirement or age into your golden years, estate planning may involve long-term care, Medicaid eligibility, and ensuring medical preferences are honored. We specialize in providing financial security and peace of mind.
For blended families: Blended families face unique estate planning challenges. We help create plans that ensure fairness and respect the interests of all family members.

Contact Shaheen & Gordon for help planning your future today

Estate planning is an act of love and responsibility, ensuring that your legacy is preserved and your loved ones are protected. Whether you need a simple will or a complex trust-based plan, our estate planning lawyers are here to guide you. Act now to contact Shaheen & Gordon, P.A. today at (603) 819-4231 to schedule a consultation. Let us help you create a plan that reflects your wishes and provides peace of mind for future generations.

Frequently asked questions about New Hampshire Estate Planning

What happens if I do not have an estate plan?

If you die without a will or trust, your estate will be distributed according to NH’s intestacy laws, meaning your assets may go to family members according to a predefined hierarchy, which might not align with your wishes. It could also lead to delays and unnecessary legal complications for your loved ones.

How often should I update my estate plan?

You should review your estate plan every 3-5 years or after significant life changes, like marriage, divorce, a child’s birth, or acquiring significant assets. Changes in tax laws or your personal goals may also warrant an update.

Are there taxes on my NH estate?

New Hampshire does not have a state estate or inheritance tax, but federal estate tax may apply if your estate exceeds the federal exemption amount. Proper estate planning can minimize these and other potential tax liabilities, making it easier for your heirs to receive what they are due.