Putting off your will because the forms make it feel bigger than it is?
We help families plan ahead in plain English. Wills, trusts, probate, healthcare directives, powers of attorney — drafted carefully, explained clearly, no jargon you have to translate later.
What we draft, and why each one matters.
Plain-language explanations of every document. If a term needs defining, it gets defined here — first use, no jargon.
02 / I · WillsThe standard starting point.
A will is a set of instructions that takes effect when you die. Probate court reads it, follows it within reason, and distributes your assets accordingly. Most people are fine with a will alone; trusts come into play when your situation is more complicated.
02 / II · Revocable Living TrustsWhen a will isn’t enough.
A revocable living trust is a legal entity that owns your assets now and pays them out per your instructions when you die — without going through probate. Costs more to set up and requires ongoing attention. Right when you own real estate in multiple states, want privacy, or want to control how money flows to beneficiaries over time.
02 / III · Probate AdministrationFor when someone has already died.
When someone dies with (or without) a will, the probate court oversees the process of paying their debts and distributing their assets. We represent estates through that process — handling the filings, the creditor notices, the asset transfers, and the court appearances so the family doesn’t have to.
02 / IV · Healthcare DirectivesWho decides if you can’t.
A healthcare directive names who makes medical decisions for you if you can’t make them yourself, and spells out what kinds of care you do or don’t want. It’s the single most overlooked document in estate planning — and the cheapest to get in place.
02 / V · Financial Powers of AttorneySame idea, for money instead of medicine.
A financial power of attorney names someone to handle your finances if you’re incapacitated — paying your bills, managing your accounts, dealing with your taxes. Different from a healthcare directive, but typically paired with one.
Which documents do you actually need?
A 2-minute assessment. Five questions about your situation. Outputs a personalized list of documents to consider, with reasoning, before you ever talk to us.
What would probate look like if a trust isn’t in place?
Six questions about an Idaho estate. Outputs an approximate timeline, cost range, and whether a trust would have meaningfully changed the outcome. Built on the Idaho Code and published Boise-firm cost data — approximation only.
What you’ll know after our first call.
Thirty minutes, no charge. Plain answers to the estate questions you walked in with.
- Whether a will is enough , or whether a trust is the right move for your situation.
- What it costs to set up and maintain each option — in the same dollar terms, so the comparison is fair.
- What happens to your assets and your kids if you do nothing — Idaho's intestate-succession rules in plain English.
- What to bring to a second call if you want to keep going. Most people don't decide on the first call. That's fine.
Questions that come up on most first calls.
Do I need a will or a trust?
Most people are fine with a will. A trust is the right move when (a) you own real estate in multiple states, (b) you want privacy about your estate, (c) you want to control how money flows to beneficiaries over time, or (d) you have a beneficiary who needs structured support. We’ll tell you which applies in the first 15 minutes of the consultation.
What happens if I die without a will in Idaho?
Idaho’s intestate succession rules kick in — the state decides who gets what based on a fixed hierarchy (spouse, children, parents, siblings, etc.). For most people the outcome is reasonable; for blended families, unmarried partners, or anyone with non-traditional wishes, it’s almost never what they would have chosen. Probate also takes longer without a will because the court has to formally identify heirs.
How much does a will cost at Park & Hayes?
Flat-fee for the standard package: $750 for a will + healthcare directive + financial power of attorney for an individual; $1,200 for a married couple’s set. Trusts run $1,800–$3,500 depending on complexity. We quote the fee at the end of the first call — before you decide whether to hire us — so the comparison is honest.
When should I update my will?
The four reliable triggers: marriage or divorce, a child being born or aging into adulthood, a significant asset change (sold a business, inherited property, paid off a house), or a move across state lines. If none of those apply, a review every 5–7 years catches the slow drift.
Do you handle estates where the person has already died?
Yes — see Probate Administration in the services list above. We represent estates through the Idaho probate process: filings, creditor notices, asset transfers, court appearances. If you’re an executor or administrator and need help, the first call is the same: thirty minutes, no charge.
The first call is free. Most people don’t need a second one.
Thirty minutes. Plain answers. No pressure to keep going.
Schedule the first call