Eckert & Krautkramer, LLC

Eckert & Krautkramer, LLC Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Eckert & Krautkramer, LLC, Estate Planning Lawyer, 630 N 4th Street, Wausau, WI.

Eckert & Krautkramer, LLC practices extensively in the area of elder law, which encompasses preparation and planning for present and future financial and healthcare needs.

05/28/2026

Preparing Your Own Deed

Preparing your own deed may seem like a simple way to save money, but mistakes can create expensive problems later. A deed does more than transfer property—it can affect probate, taxes, Medicaid eligibility, and what happens to the property after death.

Even small errors in legal descriptions, ownership language, or how title is transferred can lead to unintended consequences or require costly corrections. In some situations, transferring property the wrong way can disrupt an otherwise well-designed estate plan.

Online forms and “do-it-yourself” documents often fail to account for your circumstances. What works for one family may be completely wrong for another. Before signing or recording a deed, it is important to understand the legal and financial impact of the transfer.

Schedule an appointment to ensure your deed is prepared correctly and works with your estate plan.

05/21/2026

Paying for Long-Term Care

The cost of long-term care can quickly become one of the largest financial challenges a family faces. Whether care is needed at home, in assisted living, or in a nursing facility, many people are unprepared for the expense and uncertain about their options.

Without a plan, savings and assets can be depleted more quickly than expected. Proper planning can help protect assets, preserve financial security for a spouse or family, and improve access to available benefits and programs, including Medicaid when appropriate.

Long-term care planning is not only about finances—it is also about maintaining dignity, independence, and choice as care needs change. The earlier planning begins, the more options are typically available. Schedule an appointment today to discuss how proactive planning can help protect you, your assets, and your family’s future.

05/14/2026

When to Update Your Estate Plan

An estate plan is not something you create once and forget. Life changes and your plan should change with it. Major events such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child or grandchild, retirement, the death of a loved one, or significant changes in assets can all affect whether your plan still accomplishes your goals.

Even without major events, laws change and beneficiary designations may become outdated. An estate plan that worked years ago may no longer work the way you intended. Regular reviews help ensure your wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and beneficiary designations reflect your wishes and work properly.

If it has been several years since you reviewed your estate plan—or if your life circumstances have changed—now is the time. Contact our office today to schedule an estate plan review and make sure your plan still works for you and your family.

05/07/2026

National Elder Law Month

May is National Elder Law Month—a timely reminder to plan for the legal and financial challenges that come with aging. Whether you are preparing for your own future or helping an aging parent, having the right plan in place can make all the difference.

Elder law planning goes beyond a simple will. It includes powers of attorney, long-term care planning, Medicaid eligibility, and protecting assets while ensuring access to quality care. Without proper planning, families can face unnecessary stress, delays, and financial strain during already difficult times.

Taking proactive steps now can help preserve your independence, protect your assets, and provide clarity for your loved ones. Use National Elder Law Month as your opportunity to get your plan in order. Call us today to schedule a consultation and make sure you and your family are prepared for what lies ahead.

04/30/2026

Second Marriages and Blended Families

Second marriages and blended families bring unique estate planning challenges. Without careful planning, the results can be very different from what you intend. It’s common to want to provide for a current spouse while also protecting an inheritance for children from a prior relationship—but a simple will or beneficiary designation often isn’t enough to accomplish both.

Poor planning can lead to unintended disinheritance, family conflict, or assets passing in unexpected ways. The right strategy may involve trusts, beneficiary designations, and coordination with all parts of your plan.

Every family is different, and your plan should reflect your specific goals and relationships. With proper guidance, you can provide for your spouse, protect your children, and minimize the risk of disputes. Contact our office today to create or review your estate plan and ensure it works as intended for your family.

04/23/2026

Whom Should I Tell About My Estate Plan?

While it often makes sense to keep your estate plan private, too much secrecy can create problems. If the right people don’t know they’ve been named—or don’t know where to find your documents—your plan may lead to confusion, delays, or even conflict.

The key is balance. The trick is knowing whom to tell, what to share, when to tell them, why it matters, and how to communicate it effectively. Your personal representative, trustee, and agents under your powers of attorney should at least be aware of their roles and how to access what they need when the time comes. You may want to share your plan with loved ones who expect an inheritance—especially if excluding them, treating them differently, or providing non-estate gifts.

A thoughtful approach protects your privacy while ensuring your plan works. Schedule an appointment to get guidance on who should know what—and when.

04/16/2026

National Health Care Decisions Day 2026

April 16, 2026, is National Health Care Decisions Day—a reminder that every adult should have a plan in place for medical decision-making. If an unexpected illness or injury occurs, who will speak for you? Will they know your wishes?

Without proper documents, your loved ones may face uncertainty, delays, or court involvement during already stressful times. A well-prepared Power of Attorney for Health Care and related directives ensure your voice is heard and your choices are respected.

National Health Care Decisions Day is the perfect opportunity to review or put these documents in place. Every adult should be prepared.

Take control of your future health care decisions today. Contact our office to create or update your plan and give your family clarity and peace of mind when it matters most.

04/09/2026

Estate Planning Starts with a Conversation

Talking with aging parents about estate planning can feel uncomfortable. Yet avoiding the conversation often leads to confusion and family conflict when it matters most. Estate planning is about more than documents—it’s about honoring values, protecting independence, and ensuring wishes are respected.

Families delay planning because they don’t know where to start or fear saying the wrong thing, but you don’t need all the answers. A thoughtful conversation, started at the right time and with the right support, can make all the difference. Small steps today, identifying decision‑makers, organizing key documents, can prevent problems tomorrow.

You don’t have to navigate this alone. Guidance from a trusted professional can bring clarity and peace of mind. Call us to schedule an appointment to help your family plan with confidence.

04/02/2026

When Beneficiary Designations Go Wrong

Beneficiary designations are one of the simplest ways to transfer assets—but when not coordinated properly, they can undo an otherwise well-designed estate plan. Retirement accounts, life insurance, and payable-on-death accounts pass directly to the named beneficiary, regardless of what your will or trust says.

Problems arise when designations are outdated, incomplete, or inconsistent with your overall plan. For example, naming one child on an account while your will divides assets equally can create unintended inequality. Beneficiary designations can also bypass trusts that were designed to protect assets for minors, blended families, or special needs planning.

A good estate plan is more than just documents—it requires coordination of all your assets. Contact our office to review your beneficiary designations and make sure your plan works the way you intend.

03/26/2026

Hospital Power of Attorney for Health Care

Signing a Power of Attorney for Health Care at the hospital may feel like you’ve taken care of an important step—but these forms can be incomplete or even invalid. Sometimes they fail to name appropriate backup agents or list individuals who may not qualify due to age or other restrictions. If your primary agent is unavailable, this can leave your family without clear decision-making authority when it matters most.

Hospital forms occasionally do not fully address critical issues like admission to a nursing home or assisted living facility, which can lead to guardianship. Just as importantly, these documents are sometimes not executed with the required legal formalities—such as using qualified witnesses who are not health care providers—raising questions about their validity.

Schedule a consultation today to ensure your power of attorney for health care is complete and effective.

Address

630 N 4th Street
Wausau, WI
54403

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

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