Business Details
Estate Planning & Probate Services in Waterford, WI
At Sippel Law, we serve as our clients' closest advisors, delivering customized estate plans and administration counsel while prioritizing family values, proper planning, and community impact. Our client-centered approach begins with complimentary initial consultations, progresses through tailored estate plan design, and concludes with meticulous document execution. We believe clients possess the deepest understanding of their family dynamics, which is why we honor their wishes through fiduciary confirmations and beneficiary validations. Our team gathers comprehensive financial information to provide probate avoidance strategies and ensure accurate representation of client goals.With expertise in estate planning, trust administration, probate, and tax matters, we combine technical proficiency with compassionate guidance. Our attorneys maintain active roles in professional organizations including the State Bar of Wisconsin, Financial Planning Association, and Marquette University alumni networks. We leverage modern web-based tools to streamline communication while maintaining the personal touch that has earned us client trust in Waterford, WI and surrounding areas.
Services
Estate Planning
Wills Drafting
Trust Administration
Probate Services
Tax Planning
Power of Attorney
HIPAA Waivers
Guardianship Designation
Asset Protection
Trust Funding
Highlights and features
- We offer personalized estate plans tailored to family values and financial circumstances
- Our team includes attorneys with specialized expertise in estate tax planning
- We maintain transparent billing practices with available flat-fee pricing
- Our client-centered approach includes comprehensive fiduciary confirmations
- We utilize modern tools to ensure efficient document management and communication
What people say
Thorough consultation
Efficient process
Professional expertise
Compassionate guidance
Transparent billing
Services
Estate Planning
Our comprehensive estate planning services create legally sound frameworks for asset distribution and end-of-life decisions. We help clients establish wills, trusts, and guardianship arrangements while minimizing probate requirements. Our customized approach considers family dynamics, financial circumstances, and long-term objectives to ensure proper asset protection and legacy preservation.
Trust Administration
We guide trustees through the complex process of managing and distributing trust assets according to decedent wishes. Our services ensure compliance with Uniform Trust Code requirements while maintaining beneficiary relationships. We provide legal counsel for both revocable and irrevocable trusts, focusing on proper documentation and fiduciary responsibilities.
Probate Services
Our probate assistance helps personal representatives navigate court-supervised asset transfers. We handle estate inventory, debt settlement, and distribution processes for estates exceeding Wisconsin's $50,000 threshold. Our team streamlines probate proceedings while maintaining transparency about associated costs and timelines.
Wills Drafting
We create legally binding wills that establish asset distribution preferences and guardianship arrangements. Our process ensures mental capacity documentation and proper execution to prevent future challenges. We emphasize the importance of timely will creation for young families and individuals with specific inheritance wishes.
Tax Planning
Our tax planning services address both federal and state estate tax implications. We develop strategies to minimize tax liabilities through proper asset structuring and trust arrangements. We assist with preparation of estate tax returns and provide ongoing counsel regarding changing tax regulations.
People
Jessica Sippel
Owner
Estate planning attorney with 12+ years of experience, graduated cum laude from Marquette University Law School in 2011. Member of State Bar of Wisconsin and Financial Planning Association. Specializes in multi-generational estate planning.
Taylor Olson
Junior Associate
Estate planning attorney graduated from Marquette University Law School in 2023. Focus areas include trust administration and estate taxes. Former IRS intern with technical expertise in tax compliance matters.
Jessica Brown
Junior Associate
Estate planning attorney with family law background from Marquette University. Brings compassionate approach to sensitive matters. Completed 120+ hours of pro bono legal work through Marquette Volunteer Legal Clinic.
Brian Sippel
Business Manager
Oversees firm operations with focus on client service delivery. Coordinates team resources to ensure efficient execution of estate planning services while maintaining family-centered values.
Michelle Wolff
Paralegal
Supports estate planning processes with 8+ years of legal documentation experience. Assists with trust funding, probate avoidance techniques, and client communication throughout the planning process.
Questions
What documents are essential for basic estate planning?
Basic estate plans include wills, powers of attorney for finance and healthcare, and HIPAA waivers. We recommend adding trusts for probate avoidance and guardianship designations for families with minor children.
How does a revocable living trust differ from a will?
A revocable living trust allows asset management during incapacity and avoids probate at death, while wills only take effect after death and require court supervision for asset distribution.
What happens if I don't create an estate plan?
Without planning, state laws determine asset distribution and guardianship. The court appoints representatives, potentially causing family conflict and increased administrative costs through probate proceedings.
How much does estate planning typically cost?
We offer transparent flat-fee pricing for most services. Costs vary based on plan complexity, with basic packages starting at $1,500 and comprehensive plans including trusts typically ranging $2,500-$5,000.
Can I update my estate plan after creation?
Yes, we recommend reviewing plans every 3-5 years or after major life events. Updates can be made through codicils for wills or trust amendments, with proper legal execution requirements.
What probate avoidance strategies do you recommend?
We utilize revocable living trusts, joint ownership arrangements, and beneficiary designations to minimize probate requirements. Our plans include trust funding strategies to ensure all assets receive proper titling.
