Wills & Trusts Attorneys Serving Boise and Meridian, Idaho

Creating a will or trust is one of the most thoughtful and important steps you can take to secure your family’s future. At Shep Law Group, we help individuals and families in Boise, Meridian, Ada County, Canyon County, and across Idaho create personalized estate plans that offer peace of mind and clarity. Whether you’re just starting the planning process or looking to update existing documents, our team is here to guide you every step of the way.

Having a legally valid will or trust ensures that your assets are distributed according to your wishes, reduces the burden on your loved ones, and helps avoid potential disputes after you’re gone. With our experience and personalized approach, we’ll help you build a solid foundation for protecting what matters most.

Why You Need a Will

A will is a legal document that outlines your instructions for how your property, money, and personal items should be distributed after your death. It also allows you to appoint a guardian for your minor children and name a personal representative (executor) to manage your estate.

Without a will, your estate will be distributed according to Idaho’s intestacy laws—meaning the state, not you, decides who gets what. This can lead to confusion, stress, and conflict among your family members.

Having a will in place:

– Ensures your property is distributed as you intend
– Protects your children by naming guardians
– Appoints someone you trust to manage your estate
– Reduces the risk of family disputes
– Helps speed up the probate process

We work with you to draft a clear, enforceable will that reflects your values and meets all legal requirements in Idaho.

Understanding the Role of Trusts

Trusts are powerful tools that allow you to manage your assets during your lifetime and control how they are distributed after death. A trust can help avoid probate, reduce taxes, protect privacy, and ensure long-term management of your wealth.

There are many types of trusts, including:

• Revocable Living Trusts: flexible and changeable, these allow you to retain control during your lifetime while avoiding probate after death.
• Irrevocable Trusts: used for asset protection and tax planning, they cannot be changed after creation.
• Special Needs Trusts: help care for a loved one with disabilities without affecting eligibility for benefits.
• Charitable Trusts: used to support causes or organizations while providing tax advantages.
• Minor’s Trusts or Education Trusts:  set aside funds for children or grandchildren to use at a certain age or for specific purposes.

We take the time to explain your options and design a trust that meets your personal goals, protects your beneficiaries, and fits seamlessly into your overall estate plan.

Will vs. Trust: Which One Do You Need?

Wills and trusts are not mutually exclusive—you can (and often should) have both. Each plays a unique role in a comprehensive estate plan.

A will is necessary for:

– Naming guardians for minor children
– Expressing final wishes
– Distributing personal property

A trust is ideal for:

– Avoiding probate
– Managing complex assets or large estates
– Protecting privacy
– Ensuring fast, smooth distribution to heirs
– Planning for incapacity

At Shep Law Group, we assess your goals, assets, and family dynamics to determine the best combination for your needs.

Updating Wills and Trusts

An estate plan isn’t one-size-fits-all—and it’s not a one-time task. Life changes, and your estate plan should change with it. We help clients review and update their wills and trusts when they experience:

– Marriage or divorce
– The birth or adoption of children or grandchildren
– Major changes in assets or income
– A move to a new state
– The death of a spouse, beneficiary, or trustee
– Shifts in personal or family priorities

Regular reviews ensure your documents remain legally valid and reflect your current wishes.

Avoiding Family Conflicts Through Proper Planning

One of the most common reasons for disputes after death is a poorly written or outdated will or trust. Confusion or disagreement over inheritance can strain even the closest families. We help minimize the risk of conflict by drafting clear, comprehensive documents that leave no room for misinterpretation.

When needed, we also help facilitate family discussions to explain your plan and avoid surprises later on.

Why Choose Shep Law Group

Estate planning is a deeply personal process. You need an attorney who listens carefully, understands your concerns, and provides honest, thoughtful guidance. At Shep Law Group, we combine legal experience with genuine care for your goals and your family.

Clients choose us because:

– We provide customized solutions—not generic templates
– We simplify complex legal topics so you can make informed choices
– We are responsive, respectful, and easy to work with
– We stay current on Idaho’s estate and trust laws
– We build lifelong relationships to support your evolving needs

Your legacy matters—and we’re here to help you preserve it.

Schedule a Consultation

If you’re ready to create or update your will or trust in Boise, Meridian, or anywhere in Idaho, contact Shep Law Group today. We’ll take the time to understand your situation, answer your questions, and help you build a plan that gives you peace of mind for years to come.

Don’t wait for tomorrow to plan for the people you love today. Let’s secure your future, together.