At Dempsey Law Firm, LLP, we’re passionate about helping you secure your legacy. Estate planning is about more than just documents—it’s about ensuring your hard-earned assets benefit the people and causes you care about most. Whether you’re planning for retirement, starting a family, or preparing to pass on your business, our Wisconsin estate planning attorneys are here to help.
No matter where you are in life—retired with grown kids or raising little ones—our legal team will help you build an estate plan that aligns with your values and goals. From wills and trusts to financial and healthcare powers of attorney, we handle all the essentials for families throughout Wisconsin.
A will is one of the best ways to ensure peace of mind for everyone when you pass away. Without a will, state laws determine what happens to your estate, including how your assets will be distributed and who the guardians for minor children are, which might not align with your wishes. Our estate planning lawyers can help you draft a will that provides clarity, security, and peace of mind for the people you care about most.
Protect your assets, provide for your loved ones, avoid probate, and minimize estate taxes by establishing a trust. A trust lets you control how and when your assets are distributed, offering flexibility and security for beneficiaries, including children, grandchildren, non-profit organizations, and more. At Dempsey, we’ll do our best to simplify the process and help you build a lasting legacy.
Don’t leave the future of your hard work to chance. Whether you’re retiring, selling, or preparing for unforeseen circumstances, a solid business succession plan is crucial. We help Wisconsin business owners create tailored plans that support their goals and address leadership transitions, ownership structures, and tax strategies.
A healthcare power of attorney document empowers someone you trust to make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you’re unable to do so. This ensures your medical care aligns with your values and wishes if unexpected or tragic situations arise. Our estate planning experts can help you create a clear, legally sound medical power of attorney, providing clarity and guidance for loved ones and medical professionals.
A financial power of attorney document lets you designate someone you trust to manage your finances. This includes tasks like paying bills, managing investments, or handling real estate transactions on your behalf. At Dempsey, we ensure your financial power of attorney is tailored to your needs, giving your designee the authority they need while safeguarding your interests.
An advance healthcare directive, or living will, allows you to share your healthcare preferences if you’re unable to communicate them. From life-sustaining treatments to organ donation, making your decisions known in advance can reduce the emotional burden on your family and ensure your voice is heard during stressful and challenging circumstances.
Whether you’re entering marriage with significant assets, business interests, or specific financial goals, pre- and post-marital agreements offer peace of mind and security for both partners. These documents define how assets will be handled during the marriage or in the event of divorce and establish financial expectations upfront. The Wisconsin estate planning lawyers at Dempsey will guide you through drafting fair and enforceable agreements that build a solid foundation for your marriage.
A charitable giving plan allows you to make a lasting impact by supporting causes that matter to you — while offering potential tax benefits. Whether through bequests in your will, setting up a charitable trust, or donations, thoughtful planning ensures you can leave a meaningful legacy after you're gone, all while ensuring gifts are tax-efficient and purposeful. Our legal team can help you create a charitable strategy that maximizes impact today and in the future.
From social media profiles to crypto accounts, digital asset planning is essential in today’s technology-driven world. By addressing digital assets in your estate plan, you ensure that your virtual presence is properly managed and that valuable information is accessible. At Dempsey, we help you create a plan to manage and transfer these potentially valuable financial assets, protecting your digital legacy and providing clear instructions for your loved ones.
Our elder law attorneys represent, counsel, and assist seniors, people with disabilities, and their families in connection with a variety of legal issues including; asset protection planning; Medicaid planning; planning for incapacity, long-term care planning, coordinating public and private resources, and working to ensure the client's right to quality care.
Both wills and trusts can be part of a comprehensive estate plan, depending on your specific needs and assets.
A will is a legal document that outlines how your assets should be distributed and who will care for any minor children if you pass away. A will must go through probate, which can be time-consuming and is public record.
A trust is similar, but allows you to transfer assets to your designated beneficiaries (children, grandchildren, spouse, etc.) without going through probate. This means you have more privacy and control over the process. Trusts also offer more flexibility in certain situations, such as if you were to become incapacitated.
Yes! Despite the common misconception, estate planning isn’t just for wealthy families or individuals. Even without significant assets, an estate plan ensures your wishes and values are honored after death and minimizes strain on your family and loved ones during a difficult time. If you have children, estate planning becomes even more important to ensure they’re properly cared for in the long-term.
It’s never too early to start estate planning. Anyone over 18 can benefit from having basic documents like a will, power of attorney, and healthcare directives. Major life events such as getting married, having children, or buying a home make planning for the unexpected even more critical.
We recommend you review and update your estate plan every 3-5 years or whenever a significant life event occurs, including:
If you live in Wisconsin, you can contact one of our experienced estate planning attorneys. We’ll discuss your assets and long-term goals to create a tailored, comprehensive plan that meets your needs.
“Extremely professional, courteous of my work schedule, and thorough.. Got excellent representation and legal advice. I would definitely recommend Dempsey to anyone who wants quality representation.”
Disclaimer: Sending us an email correspondence and the information within does not create an attorney-client relationship between us. If you are not already a client, you should not provide us with information without first speaking to one of our lawyers. If you provide information before we confirm that we are willing and able to consult with you about becoming a client, we may not be able to treat that information as privileged, confidential, or protected information, and we may be able to represent a party adverse to you even if the information you submit to us could be used against you.
