David S. Schleiffarth
The Law Office of David S. Schleiffarth, LLCThe Law Office of David S. Schleiffarth, LLC is an estate planning law firm located in Webster Groves, MO. We are passionate about protecting the people and things you care about! Estate planning helps you care for loved ones, make financial & health care decisions, manage the distribution of your property, and minimize unnecessary taxes & expenses. Let us make your goals our goals! Call, text, or email today!
- Saint Louis University School of Law
- J.D. (2018) | Law
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- Honors: Dean's Scholarship
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- Brigham Young University-Idaho
- B.S. (2010) | Sociology
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- Honors: Academic Excellence Scholarship
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- Attorney, Managing Member
- The Law Office of David S. Schleiffarth, LLC
- - Current
- The Law Office of David S. Schleiffarth, LLC is an estate planning law firm located in Webster Groves, MO. We are passionate about protecting the people and things you care about! Estate planning helps you care for loved ones, make financial & health care decisions, manage the distribution of your property, and minimize unnecessary taxes & expenses. Let us make your goals our goals! Call, text, or email today!
- Qualified Spousal Trusts in Missouri
- LawOfficeDSS Blog
- How do I update my existing estate plan?
- LawOfficeDSS Blog
- What happens if I don't have a Successor Trustee?
- LawOfficeDSS Blog
- How does signing a deed work?
- LawOfficeDSS Blog
- What happens to a Joint Trust when one spouse dies?
- LawOfficeDSS Blog
- Frequently Asked Questions in Estate Planning
- A Webinar and Q&A session. Answering questions clients frequently have about the estate planning process.
- The Benefits of Estate Planning, Webinar
- The Law Office of David S. Schleiffarth, LLC
- An overview of key estate planning documents and their benefits to clients.
- Licensed Attorney
- Missouri State Bar
- Dean's Scholarship
- Saint Louis University School of Law
- Estate Planning Council of St. Louis
- Member
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- Activities: The EPCSTL is a carefully selected group of qualified specialists in their own fields who have the necessary knowledge and experience to accomplish the broad goal of estate planning for the best interest of the client and his or her beneficiaries.
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- Webster Groves-Shrewsbury-Rock Hill Chamber of Commerce
- Member
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- Activities: The premier business organization in the Webster Groves-Shrewsbury-Rock Hill area. Serves, promotes, and helps advance the business interests and the communities of Webster Groves, Shrewsbury, and Rock Hill.
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- City of Crestwood Economic Development Commission
- Commissioner
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- Activities: The Economic Development Commission is set up to provide advice, build consensus, and make recommendations to the Mayor, Board of Aldermen, and City staff on matters relating to the economic goals and strategies of the City of Crestwood.
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- The Missouri Bar
- Member
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- Activities: The Missouri Bar was created in 1944 by order of the Supreme Court of Missouri. Its mission is to improve the legal profession, the administration of justice and the law on behalf of the public.
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- Missouri Bar, Estate Planning Law Committee
- Member
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- Activities: Provides a forum for education, shared expertise, and professional development for practitioners in estate planning and probate administration law.
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- Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis - Trusts Committee
- Member
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- Activities: Provides a forum for lawyers who practice in the area to share knowledge, experience and ideas. Sponsors regular continuing education opportunities for members and non-members.
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- Missouri
- The Missouri Bar
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Credit Cards Accepted
All major credit cards.
- Estate Planning
- Health Care Directives, Trusts, Wills
- English: Spoken, Written
- Q. Do beneficiary designations take priority over a Will?
- A: Yes--a beneficiary designation takes priority over a Will. A beneficiary designation is a form of "non-probative transfer," which takes place separately from any testamentary documents.
- Q. My grandfather recently passed away in Missouri, my mom is still apart of his will even though she died 7 years ago.
- A: This depends entirely on the language of the Will.
Frequently, the children would be next in line (each receiving an equal share), but without reading the Will there is no way for me to know.
- Q. I have financial POA over my grandfather, can I add myself as a beneficiary on his deed?
- A: Typically, if a POA grants a power then it is legal to exercise that power, assuming doing so doe not conflict with any limitations or restrictions given in the document. Another important caveat is that said power is being exercised in good faith and in keeping with the principal's interests. Further, the POA would need to be "durable" (still effective despite the principal's incapacity) to be effective at this point.
Ultimately, it is impossible to give a hard answer without reviewing the POA and knowing all of the surrounding facts.
It would be in your best interest to consult personally with an estate planning attorney before acting.
*This statement is the opinion ... Read More
Introduction
Meet St. Louis estate planning attorney David Schleiffarth.
Who should I choose as my Attorney-in-Fact?
An Attorney-in-Fact is the individual you appoint as your agent in a Power of Attorney document. You give this individual a great deal of responsibility and authority. Accordingly, you should...
What does an Attorney-in-Fact do?
An Attorney-in-Fact is the individual appointed as one's agent in a Power of Attorney document (either general/financial or for health care decisions). The powers given to one's Attorney-in-Fact can be...
What is a General Power of Attorney?
A General Power of Attorney (sometimes referred to as a Financial Power of Attorney) allows you to appoint a proxy to act on your behalf, under specified circumstances. The powers...
How often should I update my estate plan?
Both time and life events can necessitate reevaluating your estate plan. This overview provides some general guidance.
Who should I appoint as my Successor Trustee?
Dave Schleiffarth discusses important criteria to consider when selecting your successor trustee for a revocable living trust.
Can I leave gifts in my Will?
Dave Schleiffarth discusses the details of leaving gifts for beneficiaries in one's Last Will and Testament.
Do I name a guardian for my children in my Will?
Attorney Dave Schleiffarth discusses guardianship nomination in estate planning.
Who should I nominate as my Personal Representative?
A key decision in one's Last Will and Testament is the selection of a Personal Representative. Here is some important criteria to consider.
What is a Personal Representative?
A Personal Representative (called an executor in some states) oversees your estate and carries out the instructions of your Last Will and Testament.
What kind of issues are addressed in a Will?
A Will names your personal representative, nominates guardians for minor children, and determines where or to whom your property & assets are to be distributed.
If I have a Trust do I still need a Will?
A Will is still an essential part of an estate plan even if you have a Trust. If you have a Trust, your Will is called a "Pour-over" Will. A Pour-over Will is structured a little differently from a traditional simple Will and works in complementary fashion with your Trust.
What do Trust instructions look like?
Flexibility and control are part of what makes a Revocable Living Trust such an effective estate planning tool. This video provides an overview of the wide ranging options available when having a Trust prepared.
Are Trusts only for the wealthy?
One of the most common misconceptions about Trusts is that they primarily benefit the wealthy. This could not be further from the truth. Trusts have substantial benefits for individuals and families at most all income levels.
What are the benefits of a Revocable Living Trust?
Compared to other planning instruments, such as a simple will, a Revocable Living Trust frequently offers many unique advantages.
What is a Trust?
Dave Schleiffarth provides a brief summary of Trusts and how they function in estate planning.
How do I avoid Probate?
Dave Schleiffarth outlines estate planning methods for avoiding Probate.
Does a Will protect my property from Probate?
Does a Will protect my property from Probate? Dave Schleiffarth addresses the common misconception that a Will can protect your property and assets from the Probate process.
Why do I want to avoid Probate?
Dave Schleiffarth discusses the negative consequences of probate and the importance of building an estate plan to avoid it.
What happens if I die without a Will?
An explanation of Missouri intestate succession laws.
What is Probate?
Estate Planning Attorney David Schleiffarth discusses the probate process in Missouri.
Wills
A brief, visualized overview of a Last Will and Testament (under Missouri law).
What is Estate Planning?
A brief, visualized overview of Estate Planning and the benefits it offers.
Trusts Pt. 2
A brief, visualized overview of Revocable Living Trusts (under Missouri law).
Trusts Pt. 1
A brief, visualized overview of Trusts (under Missouri law).
Special Needs Trusts
A brief, visualized overview of Special Needs Trusts (under Missouri law).
Health Care Power of Attorney
A brief, visualized overview of Health Care Power of Attorney (under Missouri law).
Financial Power of Attorney
A brief, visualized overview of Financial Power of Attorney (under Missouri law).
Beneficiary Deeds
A brief, visualized overview of Beneficiary Deeds (under Missouri law).
Advance Health Care Directive
A brief, visualized overview of Advance Health Care Directives (under Missouri law).
Health Care POA & Advance Health Care Directive
What is a Health Care Power of Attorney? What is an Advance Health Care Directive? Attorney David Schleiffarth discusses these important health care documents and how they work together as part of an effective estate plan.
General Power of Attorney
Attorney David Schleiffarth explains the purpose and importance of having a General Power of Attorney as part of an estate plan.
Wills vs Trusts
Do I need a Will or a Trust? Attorney David Schleiffarth discusses the features of these powerful estate planning instruments.
Can I give my back up Attorney-in-Fact different power than my primary?
Power of Attorney documents allow for a great deal of personal preference and customization. Clients may be comfortable giving their spouse (or other primary Attorney-in-Fact) a certain level of power...
What does a "Health Care Attorney-in-Fact" do?
A health care attorney-in-fact, is the person you appoint to make health care decisions on your behalf, should you become incapacitated. Furthermore, if you are incapacitated and your Advance Health...
What is a Durable Power of Attorney?
A "durable" power of attorney remains effective regardless of the principal's mental capacity. By contrast, if a power of attorney did not contain a provision making it "durable"--any legal authority...
What is a Health Care Power of Attorney?
A Health Care Power of Attorney is a legal document which assigns an individual to act as your proxy, should you be unable to make your own medical decisions. Additionally,...
What is a Springing Power of Attorney?
A "springing" power of attorney grants your appointed agent the authority to act on your behalf--ONLY if/when you are deemed mentally incapacitated. So to speak, the power "springs" into effect...
What is an Advance Health Care Directive?
An Advance Health Care Directive informs your family and health care providers, the circumstances under which you would like to cease artificial life support. This document often works together with...
Who should I choose as my Health Care Attorney in Fact?
Your Health Care Attorney-in-Fact has great responsibility, as the individual responsible for your medical decisions (if you are incapacitated). It is important to choose someone who understands your health care...