COLETTA & FENDT LLC
Comprehensive Estate Planning
Asset Protection
Protecting what you’ve worked hard to build requires more than good intentions—it demands a strategic, forward‑looking plan. Our asset protection services are designed to shield your personal and business holdings from unnecessary risk, creditor claims, and unforeseen liabilities. We take a comprehensive approach, evaluating your financial landscape, family circumstances, and long‑term goals to craft structures that provide stability and peace of mind. From trusts and business entities to risk‑management strategies and integrated estate planning, we help clients preserve wealth, maintain control, and safeguard their legacy for the next generation.
Business Succession
At Coletta & Fendt, we help business owners protect what they’ve built and ensure a smooth, intentional transition to the next generation of leadership. Effective business succession planning requires more than drafting documents—it demands a clear understanding of your goals, your company’s structure, and the people who will carry your vision forward. We work closely with owners, families, and key stakeholders to design succession strategies that minimize disruption, preserve value, and support long‑term stability. Whether you are preparing for retirement, planning for unexpected events, or positioning your business for future growth, we provide practical guidance and tailored solutions that honor both the legacy and the future of your enterprise.
Elder Law and Medicaid Planning
At Coletta & Fendt, we help individuals and families navigate the complex legal and financial issues that arise later in life with clarity, dignity, and foresight. Elder Law and Medicaid Planning require a careful balance of protecting assets, ensuring access to quality care, and honoring personal wishes. We work closely with clients to develop strategies that address long‑term care needs, eligibility for Medicaid benefits, guardianship concerns, and the preservation of family resources. Whether planning proactively or responding to an unexpected change in health, we provide thoughtful guidance and tailored solutions that support stability, independence, and peace of mind for you and your loved ones.
Charitable Giving
At Coletta & Fendt, we help clients turn their philanthropic vision into a lasting and meaningful legacy. Thoughtful charitable giving requires more than generosity—it calls for strategic planning that aligns personal values, tax considerations, and long‑term goals. We guide individuals, families, and business owners through the full range of charitable vehicles, including donor‑advised funds, charitable trusts, private foundations, and planned giving strategies integrated with estate and tax planning. Whether you are seeking to support a cause close to your heart or create a multigenerational tradition of giving, we provide clear counsel and tailored solutions that maximize impact while preserving financial flexibility.
Estate and Trust Administration
At Coletta & Fendt Attorneys LLC, we guide families and fiduciaries through the estate and trust administration process with clarity, efficiency, and respect for the wishes of the decedent. Administering an estate or trust involves a wide range of responsibilities—from probate filings and asset marshaling to tax compliance, distributions, and ongoing fiduciary duties. We provide steady, knowledgeable support at every step, helping executors, trustees, and beneficiaries navigate legal requirements, resolve questions, and avoid unnecessary complications. Whether the administration is straightforward or presents complex family, business, or tax considerations, we deliver practical counsel and tailored solutions that ensure the estate or trust is managed properly and in accordance with the law.
Special Needs and Disability Planning
At Coletta & Fendt, we help families create secure, long‑term plans that protect the well‑being and independence of loved ones with special needs or disabilities. Effective planning requires a careful balance of preserving eligibility for essential benefits while ensuring access to resources that enhance quality of life. We guide clients through the creation of Special Needs Trusts, ABLE accounts, guardianship and conservatorship matters, and coordinated estate planning strategies that support both immediate and future needs. With a focus on clarity, compassion, and practical solutions, we work closely with families to build plans that provide stability, dignity, and peace of mind for years to come.
Wills & Trusts
At Coletta & Fendt, we help clients create clear, effective Wills and Trusts that protect their assets, honor their wishes, and provide lasting security for the people they care about. Thoughtful planning ensures that your estate is managed according to your intentions, minimizes potential disputes, and can reduce administrative burdens and tax implications. We work closely with individuals and families to design customized plans—whether simple or complex—that reflect personal goals, family dynamics, and long‑term priorities. From foundational documents to sophisticated trust structures, we provide practical guidance and tailored solutions that bring clarity, confidence, and peace of mind.
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Last Will and Testament
A Last Will and Testament is the cornerstone of a sound estate plan, providing clear direction for the distribution of your assets and the protection of those you care about. At Coletta & Fendt Attorneys LLC, we help clients craft Wills that reflect their intentions with precision, minimize the potential for disputes, and ensure that trusted individuals are appointed to carry out their wishes. Whether your needs are straightforward or involve complex family or financial considerations, we offer thoughtful guidance and tailored solutions that bring clarity, control, and peace of mind to one of life’s most important decisions.
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Revocable Trusts
A Revocable Trust is a flexible and effective tool for managing your assets during your lifetime and ensuring a smooth transition after death—often without the delays and costs of probate. At Coletta & Fendt Attorneys LLC, we help clients create Revocable Trusts that provide control, privacy, and adaptability as circumstances evolve. We work closely with individuals and families to structure trusts that reflect their goals, simplify administration, and coordinate seamlessly with the rest of their estate plan. Whether you are seeking to streamline the transfer of assets, plan for incapacity, or enhance the clarity of your long‑term intentions, we offer practical guidance and tailored solutions that bring confidence and peace of mind.
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Irrevocable Trusts
Irrevocable Trusts offer powerful opportunities for asset protection, tax planning, and long‑term wealth preservation. At Coletta & Fendt Attorneys LLC, we help clients determine when an Irrevocable Trust is the right tool to achieve their goals—whether reducing estate tax exposure, safeguarding assets from creditors, or providing structured support for future generations. Because these trusts cannot be altered once established, careful planning and precise drafting are essential. We work closely with individuals and families to design trusts that reflect their priorities, protect their legacy, and integrate seamlessly with their broader estate plan.
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Testamentary Trusts
A Testamentary Trust is created through your Last Will and Testament and becomes effective only after your passing, offering a flexible way to manage and protect assets for beneficiaries over time. At Coletta & Fendt Attorneys LLC, we assist clients in crafting Testamentary Trusts that address a wide range of needs—from providing for minor children to supporting beneficiaries who may require financial oversight or long‑term guidance. We focus on clarity, practicality, and alignment with your overall estate plan, ensuring that your intentions are carried out with care and that your loved ones receive thoughtful, structured support.
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Other Types of Trusts
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Life Insurance Trusts (ILITs)
A Life Insurance Trust (ILIT) is a powerful estate‑planning tool designed to remove life insurance proceeds from your taxable estate while providing structured support for your beneficiaries. At Coletta & Fendt Attorneys LLC, we help clients establish ILITs that protect policy proceeds, enhance liquidity for estate expenses, and support long‑term wealth‑transfer goals. Because ILITs must be carefully drafted and administered to achieve their tax advantages, we provide clear guidance and tailored strategies that integrate seamlessly with your broader estate plan.
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Spendthrift Trusts
A Spendthrift Trust offers a thoughtful way to provide for loved ones while protecting assets from creditors, financial mismanagement, or other risks. At Coletta & Fendt Attorneys LLC, we assist clients in creating Spendthrift Trusts that balance support with safeguards, ensuring that beneficiaries receive resources in a controlled and responsible manner. Whether addressing concerns about financial maturity, creditor exposure, or long‑term stability, we craft trust provisions that reflect your goals and preserve your legacy.
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QTIP Trusts (Qualified Terminable Interest Property Trusts)
A QTIP Trust allows you to provide for a surviving spouse while preserving control over the ultimate distribution of your assets—an especially valuable tool in blended‑family or second‑marriage situations. At Coletta & Fendt, we help clients design QTIP Trusts that maximize marital tax benefits, protect family assets, and ensure that property passes according to their long‑term wishes. With careful drafting and strategic coordination, we create solutions that honor both your spouse’s needs and your legacy for future generations.
Estate and Trust Administration
At Coletta & Fendt , we guide families and fiduciaries through the estate and trust administration process with clarity, efficiency, and respect for the wishes of the decedent. Administering an estate or trust involves a wide range of responsibilities—from probate filings and asset marshaling to tax compliance, distributions, and ongoing fiduciary duties. We provide steady, knowledgeable support at every step, helping executors, trustees, and beneficiaries navigate legal requirements, resolve questions, and avoid unnecessary complications. Whether the administration is straightforward or presents complex family, business, or tax considerations, we deliver practical counsel and tailored solutions that ensure the estate or trust is managed properly and in accordance with the law.
Trust Administration
Trust administration requires careful attention to legal obligations, tax considerations, and the intentions expressed in the trust document. At Coletta & Fendt Attorneys LLC, we guide trustees and beneficiaries through every stage of the administration process with clarity, diligence, and respect for the grantor’s wishes. Our services include interpreting trust provisions, managing and distributing assets, addressing fiduciary responsibilities, and ensuring compliance with state and federal requirements. Whether the trust is straightforward or involves complex family or financial dynamics, we provide practical counsel and steady support to help trustees carry out their duties confidently and effectively.
Fiduciary Services
Serving as a fiduciary carries significant legal and ethical responsibilities, and many individuals choose to appoint a trusted professional to ensure their affairs are managed with care and impartiality. At Coletta & Fendt LLC, we provide fiduciary services that prioritize transparency, diligence, and strict adherence to the highest standards of duty. Whether acting as trustee, personal representative, or agent under a power of attorney, we manage assets responsibly, follow all legal requirements, and carry out your wishes with precision and integrity. Our goal is to provide stability, reduce burdens on family members, and ensure that every decision is made in the best interests of the estate or trust.
Trust Funding
A well‑drafted trust is only effective if it is properly funded. At Coletta & Fendt, we guide clients through the essential process of transferring assets into their trusts to ensure that the plan functions as intended. From real estate and financial accounts to business interests and personal property, we help identify which assets should be retitled, how beneficiary designations should be coordinated, and what steps are needed to maintain the trust over time. With clear guidance and practical support, we help clients complete and preserve this critical component of their estate planning.
Powers of Attorney
A Power of Attorney is an essential planning tool that ensures your financial and legal affairs can be managed by someone you trust if you are unable to act on your own. At Coletta & Fendt LLC, we help clients create clear, durable Powers of Attorney that grant appropriate authority while protecting against misuse. Whether you need broad decision‑making authority or narrowly tailored powers, we provide thoughtful guidance and precise drafting to ensure your wishes are carried out with confidence and security.
Health Care Proxies
A Health Care Proxy allows you to appoint a trusted individual to make medical decisions on your behalf if you become unable to communicate your wishes. At Coletta & Fendt Attorneys LLC, we help clients choose and empower the right health care agent, ensuring that medical providers have clear direction and that your preferences are respected. Our approach emphasizes clarity, compassion, and practical planning so that you and your loved ones are prepared for unexpected medical situations.
Advance Directives
Advance Directives give you the ability to express your preferences regarding medical treatment, end‑of‑life care, and other critical health decisions. At Coletta & Fendt Attorneys LLC, we guide clients through the process of documenting their wishes in a legally effective and compassionate manner. By providing clear instructions to loved ones and medical professionals, Advance Directives reduce uncertainty, prevent conflict, and ensure that your values guide your care when it matters most.
Guardianships and Conservatorships
When a loved one is unable to manage personal, financial, or medical decisions, a guardianship or conservatorship may be necessary to ensure their safety and well‑being. At Coletta & Fendt Attorneys LLC, we assist families in navigating the legal process with sensitivity, clarity, and respect. We help determine the appropriate level of protection, prepare and file required petitions, and guide guardians and conservators in fulfilling their ongoing responsibilities. Our goal is to provide stability and support during challenging transitions.
Probate and Estate Administration
Probate and estate administration involve managing a decedent’s affairs, settling debts, and distributing assets in accordance with the law and the individual’s wishes. At Coletta & Fendt Attorneys LLC, we guide executors, administrators, and families through every step of the process with efficiency and care. From court filings and asset marshaling to tax compliance and final distributions, we provide steady, knowledgeable support to ensure the estate is administered properly and with minimal stress. Whether the estate is simple or complex, we deliver practical solutions and clear direction.