Business Details
8 Years
experience
Estate Planning Made Easy in Sudbury, MA
At 20West Legal, we redefine estate planning by prioritizing people over paperwork. Founded in 2018 by attorney Erica Endyke, our firm delivers personalized legal strategies tailored to real-life complexities. Our team-first approach ensures clients receive comprehensive support, from wills and trusts to probate guidance, without the intimidation of traditional legal processes. With decades of combined experience, including Ericas law degree from New England Law and Ashley Dotchins specialized focus on family-centered estate plans, we blend expertise with empathy.We emphasize transparency, avoiding legalese to make complex decisions accessible. Our commitment extends beyond documents, fostering long-term client relationships and community engagement through educational events. Recognizing estate planning as a critical yet often overlooked responsibility, we simplify the process to protect families, assets, and legacies with clarity and care.
Services
Estate Planning
Wills
Trusts
Probate Guidance
Power of Attorney
Health Care Directives
Kids Protection Plans
Details
- Year established: 2018
Highlights and features
- We offer a team-first approach with dedicated legal experts for every client.
- Our personalized plans prioritize real-life needs over one-size-fits-all templates.
- We eliminate legal jargon, ensuring clarity and understanding in all documents.
- Our team includes attorneys with decades of combined experience in estate law.
- We provide ongoing support to adapt plans as life evolves.
Services
Estate Planning
Our estate planning services protect families and assets through customized strategies that prevent court conflicts. We guide clients in Sudbury and beyond to create comprehensive plans addressing wills, trusts, and probate avoidance. Our process emphasizes clarity and adaptability, ensuring documents reflect evolving life circumstances while maintaining privacy and efficiency.
Living Trusts
Living trusts allow seamless asset transfer while avoiding Massachusetts' lengthy probate process. We design revocable trusts tailored to individual needs, maintaining control during life and ensuring privacy posthumously. This service specifically benefits families seeking to protect real estate holdings and streamline inheritance without public court involvement.
Probate Guidance
Probate guidance simplifies executor responsibilities during Massachusetts' court processes. Our team supports families through asset distribution challenges, reducing delays and costs associated with will validation. We provide transparent navigation of state-specific probate requirements while prioritizing beneficiary needs during difficult transitions.
Kids Protection Plans
Kids protection plans establish legally binding guardianship arrangements to prevent court intervention in childcare. We help parents designate primary and backup guardians while addressing short-term care scenarios. This service ensures childrens futures remain secure through properly documented plans that avoid common legal pitfalls.
Health Care Directives
Health care directives document medical preferences and appoint decision-makers for incapacitated individuals. We create comprehensive directives covering life support, organ donation, and treatment preferences. This service empowers clients to maintain autonomy over medical care while reducing family decision-making burdens during critical moments.
People
Erica Endyke
Founding Attorney
Erica founded 20West Legal in 2018 after graduating cum laude from New England Law. She specializes in creating relationship-focused estate plans that simplify complex legal processes for families and businesses throughout Massachusetts.
Ashley Dotchin
Associate Attorney
Ashley helps families avoid probate issues through personalized estate plans. Her experience navigating her grandparents' incomplete estate drives her commitment to creating comprehensive, practical legal solutions for Massachusetts clients since 2012.
Barbie Foisy
Client Services Director
Barbie manages client interactions with compassionate guidance, leveraging her service background to create welcoming experiences. She coordinates estate planning processes while maintaining the firm's community-focused approach in Sudbury and surrounding areas.
Joanna Yauckoes
Legacy Support Specialist
Joanna oversees document preparation and process management, ensuring error-free client files. Her detail-oriented approach maintains operational efficiency for estate plans while supporting families through administrative complexities in Massachusetts probate procedures.
Katie Andrews
Legal Operations Coordinator
Katie manages scheduling and document preparation, applying organizational expertise to maintain smooth operations. She contributes to client communications and legal formatting while supporting the firm's structured approach to estate planning services.
Questions
What's the difference between a will and a trust?
Wills require probate court validation while revocable trusts transfer assets privately. Trusts offer ongoing management during life and immediate inheritance distribution without court involvement.
What documents are essential for estate planning?
Critical documents include wills, financial power of attorney, health care directives, and revocable trusts to ensure complete asset management and decision-making authority.
How often should I update my estate plan?
Review plans every 3-5 years or after major life events like marriage, divorce, or significant asset acquisition to maintain legal relevance and personal alignment.
What happens if I die without a will?
State laws determine asset distribution without a will, potentially disregarding personal wishes. Jointly owned properties and accounts with beneficiaries may bypass probate entirely.
How are digital assets handled in estate plans?
Digital access must be explicitly documented. We include provisions for email, social media, and digital currencies following Massachusetts' fiduciary access laws.
Do I need an attorney for estate planning?
While basic plans can be self-created, attorneys ensure legal compliance and address complex scenarios. Our guidance helps prevent common errors that cause posthumous conflicts.
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