Trust and Estate Planning - Davis & Cannon LLP

We understand that planning for the protection and transfer of family assets is a vital concern of most families. Wyoming families often present specific and unique needs in estate planning, such as protection of a family ranch, farm, or business, or providing for a child or family member with special needs. Our lawyers have helped many Wyoming families complete this planning. We are ready to help you do the same.

Trusts

In many cases the Living Trust has become the preferred strategy in planning for our clients. A trust is a legal arrangement where property is transferred to a person, persons or corporation known as a Trustee(s) who hold the property for the benefit of the beneficiaries under the terms of the Trust. The Trustee is a fiduciary with duties to hold, manage and deal with the property in the best interests of the persons named in the trust, the beneficiaries.

Trusts may be used to avoid probate, avoid or diminish probate fees, protect beneficiaries from their own inability to handle money, for tax-planning purposes, gifting and to transfer property to a trust.

As trusts are created and generally funded immediately, they also provide life planning opportunities, such as providing for illness, mental or physical disability.

Wills

For many years the will was the instrument of choice for most clients and still is a necessary part of the estate planning scheme. A will is a legal document that appoints a person to manage his or her estate, provides directions of how to transfer real and personal property, and may contain many other special directions.

Clients with young children may also include provisions for the appointment of guardians or the creation of a testamentary trust, which will hold property in trust until their children reach a certain age. The testamentary trust may also protect the assets from creditors or other claimants.

Wyoming law sets forth specific requirements which must be met for a document to qualify as a valid will. If a will is not valid, or if a person dies without leaving a will, then property will pass under Wyoming's intestate laws, which are not tailored to match a particular person’s needs.

Other Estate Planning Strategies

When required or desired the firm is also experienced in incorporating other estate planning techniques such as, life insurance and other irrevocable trusts, forming family corporations, partnerships or limited liability companies, and family foundations.

Our attorneys would be glad to provide an initial consultation to discuss your family's individual circumstances and needs.

Offices

Sheridan
(307) 672-7491
(800) 868-4948
(307) 672-8955 fax

Cheyenne
(307) 634-3210
(307) 778-7118 fax

Gillette
(307) 682-1246

Davis & Cannon, LLP represents clients with their legal needs across Wyoming, including: Big Piney, Buffalo, Casper, Cheyenne, Cody, Dayton, Douglas, Gillette, Green River, Hulett, Jackson, Lander, Laramie, Newcastle, Pinedale, Powell, Ranchester, Rawlins, Riverton, Rock Springs, Sheridan, Story, Sundance, Thermopolis, Torrington, Upton, Wheatland, and Worland; as well as Albany, Big Horn, Campbell, Carbon, Converse, Crook, Fremont, Goshen, Hot Springs, Johnson, Laramie, Natrona, Niobrara, Park, Platte, Sheridan, Sublette, Sweetwater, Teton, Washakie, and Weston counties.

The Wyoming State Bar does not certify any lawyer as a specialist or expert. Anyone considering a lawyer should independently investigate the lawyer's credentials and ability, and not rely upon advertisements or self‑proclaimed expertise.