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.

06/18/2026

Self-Settled Special Needs Trust

Receiving an inheritance, settlement, or other assets can create an unexpected problem for individuals with disabilities who rely on means-tested benefits such as Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). In many cases, receiving assets outright can jeopardize eligibility for these important programs.

A self-settled special needs trust may provide a solution. This trust allows assets belonging to the individual to be held and managed for their benefit while preserving eligibility for public benefits. The trust can be used to enhance quality of life by paying for goods and services that government benefits may not cover.

Self-settled special needs trusts are subject to strict legal requirements, so proper planning is essential.

If you or a loved one has received assets while on public benefits, contact us to discuss whether a self-settled special needs trust may be appropriate.

06/11/2026

Should I Put My Child’s Name on My House?

Adding your child’s name to your house may seem like an easy way to avoid probate, but it can create unexpected legal and financial consequences. Depending on how the deed is prepared, you could unintentionally expose your home to your child’s creditors, divorce, or financial difficulties. You may also trigger unfavorable tax consequences or interfere with Medicaid planning if long-term care is needed in the future.
While adding a child to your deed may be appropriate in some situations, it is often not the best solution. There are usually better options. Before signing a new deed, make sure you understand the long-term consequences. A simple mistake today can become an expensive problem tomorrow.

Schedule an appointment to discuss your goals and determine the best way to transfer your home while protecting your estate plan and your family’s future.

06/04/2026

Pot Trusts Explained for Families

A pot trust can be a valuable estate planning tool for families with children, grandchildren, or beneficiaries whose needs may change. Instead of dividing assets into fixed shares immediately, a pot trust keeps assets together in a single fund, allowing the trustee to make distributions based on each beneficiary’s situation.

This flexibility can help address education expenses, medical needs, financial hardships, and other life events. Pot trusts can also provide creditor protection, privacy, and probate avoidance.

However, flexibility comes with responsibility. Beneficiaries do not have guaranteed shares, and the trustee must make difficult decisions about what is fair and appropriate. Poor communication or differing expectations can sometimes create family tension.

Contact our office today to learn whether a pot trust is the right solution for your estate planning goals.

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.

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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