Heircraft Planning

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Heircraft Planning Heircraft Planning is a trust and estate law firm serving families along the Alabama and Florida Gulf Coast.

Founded by attorney Mark Eiland, we help clients plan ahead and protect what matters most through thoughtful, individualized planning.

Without a will, Alabama law already has a plan for your estate. It just was not written with your family in mind.The sta...
10/08/2026

Without a will, Alabama law already has a plan for your estate. It just was not written with your family in mind.

The state's intestacy rules follow a set formula based on who survives you. They do not account for the stepchild you raised, the partner you never married, or the person you would trust most to handle your affairs. If you have minor children and no guardian named, a probate court decides who will raise them.

A will puts those decisions back in your hands. You choose who inherits, who settles your estate, and who cares for your children.

Mark Eiland, J.D., LL.M., AEP®, brings over 25 years of experience in law, finance, and trust administration to helping Alabama families plan with clarity. Schedule a consultation at HeircraftPlanning.com or call (251) 398-0081.

Most holiday gifts are enjoyed for a season. An estate plan takes care of the people you love for years to come.It also ...
10/07/2026

Most holiday gifts are enjoyed for a season. An estate plan takes care of the people you love for years to come.

It also keeps the decisions in your hands. With a plan in place, you choose who receives what, who speaks for you if you cannot, and who looks after your children or loved ones, instead of leaving those choices to Alabama law.

The holidays fill up fast, so start now. Join Mark Eiland, J.D., LL.M., AEP®, for a free one-hour seminar over a good meal, right here in Mobile. You will leave with a better understanding of what it takes to protect yourself, your family, and everything you have built.

Then, when everyone gathers this season, you can enjoy it knowing they are taken care of.

Choose a lunch or dinner session this month. Space is limited. RSVP at HeircraftPlanning.com/upcoming-events

Think about how much your life has changed since you signed your estate plan.The people who depend on you may look diffe...
10/06/2026

Think about how much your life has changed since you signed your estate plan.

The people who depend on you may look different now. Maybe you married, divorced, or welcomed a child or grandchild. Maybe you lost someone close, bought a new home, grew a business, or started helping care for a parent.

Your documents may not reflect any of that. A plan written for an earlier stage of life can still name people who are no longer the right choice, leave out people who matter now, or give authority to someone who is no longer able to serve.

A plan review is a chance to make sure the people who rely on you today are the people your plan protects. If you have not put a plan in place yet, this is a good time to start one.

Mark Eiland, J.D., LL.M., AEP®, is an estate planning attorney licensed in Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi. He helps people put plans in place so their families are not left relying on the court to make decisions for them. Schedule a consultation at HeircraftPlanning.com or call (251) 398-0081.

A trustee's silence is not just frustrating. It may also fall short of what the law requires.Under Alabama law, trustees...
10/05/2026

A trustee's silence is not just frustrating. It may also fall short of what the law requires.

Under Alabama law, trustees owe beneficiaries more than good intentions. They are required to keep beneficiaries reasonably informed, respond to requests for information, and in most cases provide an annual report on the trust's assets, transactions, and compensation.

Knowing what you are owed helps you recognize the difference between a slow process and a trustee who is not meeting their obligations. Read the full blog: https://heircraftplanning.com/alabama-trustee-duties-beneficiaries/

A well-built trust starts with clear terms and the right trustee. If you are ready to create yours, schedule a consultation at HeircraftPlanning.com or give our team a call at 251-398-0081.

Estate planning can feel like something you need to be ready for before you even begin. It doesn't have to work that way...
10/02/2026

Estate planning can feel like something you need to be ready for before you even begin. It doesn't have to work that way.

There are many ways to get started. You can attend a seminar, read our free guide, watch an on-demand webinar, follow along with the blog, or start with a consultation.

Swipe through to see what's available. Wherever you begin, our team, led by Mark Eiland, J.D., LL.M., AEP®, is here to support your path to a plan that fits your family.

Explore our resources or schedule a consultation at HeircraftPlanning.com.

10/01/2026

Estate planning can feel confusing, and most people have never had the system explained in plain English.

A plan isn't only about who inherits. It decides who can make medical and financial decisions if you can't, who would care for your children, and whether your family has to go through the court to get the authority to help you. Without a plan, Alabama law makes many of those choices for you.

This October, we're hosting two free Estate Planning Basics seminars in Mobile to walk through how it all works:

Thursday, Oct. 15 • 12:00 pm
Innovation Portal, 358 St. Louis Street
Lunch provided

Thursday, Oct. 22 • 5:30 pm
Jerusalem Café, 5817 Old Shell Rd
Dinner provided

Presented by Mark Eiland, J.D., LL.M., AEP®. You'll leave with a clearer picture of how the system works and which decisions are yours to make.

RSVP at HeircraftPlanning.com.

"No guesswork and no extra stress on my family."That's what a good plan should feel like. Thank you to this client for t...
09/30/2026

"No guesswork and no extra stress on my family."

That's what a good plan should feel like. Thank you to this client for trusting us with something so personal.

Whether you're starting fresh or updating an older plan, we'd be glad to help. Schedule a consultation with Mark Eiland, J.D., LL.M., AEP®, at HeircraftPlanning.com or call (251) 398-0081.

Movies love the big will-reading scene: the whole family around a heavy desk, an envelope torn open, someone storming ou...
09/29/2026

Movies love the big will-reading scene: the whole family around a heavy desk, an envelope torn open, someone storming out.

Real life looks a lot quieter.

Our latest blog covers what Hollywood keeps getting wrong about estate planning in Alabama. A personal representative can't act on an estate until the probate court grants them authority. A phone call or a spoken wish doesn't change a will in Alabama. And settling an estate takes months, not the length of a movie.

Read the full blog here: https://heircraftplanning.com/what-hollywood-gets-wrong-about-estate-planning-in-alabama/

Have questions or ready to put your plan in place? Contact our team at HeircraftPlanning.com to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward a plan that works in real life.

09/29/2026

Probate is one of the most common questions families bring to us, and it usually comes up at a hard time.

A will goes through probate. Assets held in a properly funded trust do not. Neither approach is automatically the right one. The right plan depends on your family, what you own, and your goals.

If you'd like to learn more about estate planning in Alabama, we offer free educational resources, including The Estate Planning Book for Alabama Families and free estate planning seminars.
When you're ready to talk through your own situation, you can schedule a consultation with Mark Eiland, J.D., LL.M., AEP®, at HeircraftPlanning.com.

Most people put off estate planning because it feels complicated, or because they assume it's only for people with a lot...
09/25/2026

Most people put off estate planning because it feels complicated, or because they assume it's only for people with a lot of assets.

The Estate Planning Book for Alabama Families was written to change that. Written by Mark Eiland, J.D., LL.M., AEP®, founder of Heircraft Planning, it walks through wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and the people you'll need to choose along the way, explained in plain language.

It's free to download, and it's a good place to start if you've been meaning to get your plan in order.

Download your copy: heircraftplanning.com/estate-planning-e-book/

Address

358 Street Louis St
Mobile, AL
36602

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

(251)3980081

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