A Partnership of Veterans Defending Your Legacy

Madison Estate Planning & Elder Law Attorneys

Focusing solely on estate planning, elder law, and probate & trust administration, our team of accomplished, highly motivated attorneys and staff provides the highest quality, comprehensive legal services to our community.

Our clients are a part of our family. From the implementation of your estate plan, to the completion of your estate settlement, we listen to your goals, answer your questions and work with you to bring simplicity, order, and control to your family. Families change, circumstances change, and laws change. We offer our clients a plan to meet on a regular basis to ensure their estate planning solution is always up to date.

We invite you to browse our website, get to know our firm, our philosophy, and learn the benefits of being part of the Krause Donovan family.

Meet Nelson Donovan

Nelson W. Donovan has spent a lifetime talking to audiences. First as a military aviation instructor and more recently, about the importance of estate planning, tailoring plans for his clients, and writing on this subject. Nelson is also a JAG attorney for the US Army Reserves.

Meet Daniel Krause

Daniel J. Krause, founder of our firm, has been practicing estate planning law since 1999. A retired Army Major and JAG Officer, Dan is a board-certified Estate Planning Law Specialist; certified by The Estate Law Specialist Board, Inc., the sole American Bar Association accredited organization to bestow this distinction.

Life Stages Estate Planning in Madison, WI

Estate Planning for Singles

If you are single, then you are in good company. According to the most recent U.S. Census, more than half of all adult Americans are single, too. Whether you just turned 18 or are 118 one thing you share with your married counterparts is the need for essential estate planning.

Even if you do not have two dimes to rub together, you are your estate. Did you know the law requires every adult American to make his or her own personal, financial and health care decisions? Who would make your basic decisions if you are legally incapacitated due to a serious injury or illness?

Estate Planning for Married Couples

With each marriage come new rights and new responsibilities. If you already have an estate plan created when you were single, then you must bring your estate plan up-to-code to reflect your wedding vows.

Unfortunately, many married couples mistakenly believe that they can make personal, health care and financial decisions for one another should either spouse become legally incapacitated due to a serious injury or illness. Nothing could be further from reality!

Estate Planning for Minor Children

Are you the parent of minor children? If yes, then they are your most valuable treasure. So, what arrangements have you made for their care should something happen to you and their other parent?

As with your own personal, health care and financial decisions, would you rather select the guardians (i.e., back-up parents) yourself, or let a probate judge make the selection without your input? Only through proper legal planning can you select the guardians.

Are you the parent of minor children? If yes, then they are your most valuable treasure. So, what arrangements have you made for their care should something happen to you and their other parent?

Estate Planning for Blended Families

Times have changed. In the new millennium, whether due to the death of a spouse or through divorce, blended families now outnumber traditional nuclear families. And the number is likely to grow, based on current statistics and trends.

Many blended families face unique social, psychological and economic challenges. As a result, over 60% of second marriages end in divorce. Fortunately, there are numerous organizations and support groups dedicated to helping blended families with these challenges.

Estate Planning for Peak Earning Years

Are you between age 40 and 55? If yes, then congratulations. Research has shown that you are in your peak earning years. And that is a very good thing.

Chances are good that you have some expensive life events going on right now, unlike when you were among the Married Couples without children.

Are you between age 40 and 55? If yes, then congratulations. Research has shown that you are in your peak earning years. And that is a very good thing.

Chances are good that you have some expensive life events going on right now, unlike when you were among the Married Couples without children.

Are you between age 40 and 55? If yes, then congratulations. Research has shown that you are in your peak earning years. And that is a very good thing.

Chances are good that you have some expensive life events going on right now, unlike when you were among the Married Couples without children.

Estate Planning Nearing Retirement

Just a moment ago you were in the thick of your busy, busy Peak Earning Years. Now, you can see a new adventure is rapidly approaching your front windshield. What is it?

Retirement.

Are you getting ready?

Chances are good that your children have left the nest. Perhaps you are assisting your aging parents with their personal, health care and financial responsibilities.

Just a moment ago you were in the thick of your busy, busy Peak Earning Years. Now, you can see a new adventure is rapidly approaching your front windshield. What is it?

Retirement.

Are you getting ready?

Chances are good that your children have left the nest. Perhaps you are assisting your aging parents with their personal, health care and financial responsibilities.

Just a moment ago you were in the thick of your busy, busy Peak Earning Years. Now, you can see a new adventure is rapidly approaching your front windshield. What is it?

Retirement.

Are you getting ready?

Chances are good that your children have left the nest. Perhaps you are assisting your aging parents with their personal, health care and financial responsibilities.

Estate Planning when Single Again

Whether due to divorce or death, you are now Single Again.

You may have children and even grandchildren. In any event, you need to create (or revisit) your estate plan.

Did you know the law requires every adult American to make his or her own personal, financial and health care decisions? Now that you are single again, who would make your basic decisions if you are legally incapacitated due to a serious injury or illness?

Whether due to divorce or death, you are now Single Again.

You may have children and even grandchildren. In any event, you need to create (or revisit) your estate plan.

Whether due to divorce or death, you are now Single Again.

You may have children and even grandchildren. In any event, you need to create (or revisit) your estate plan.

Estate Planning for Retirement

You have arrived. Just a moment ago you were Nearing Retirement. When did you get to this place in life so quickly? Yikes, what do you need to do right now in preparation for that day?

Retirement.

Congratulations!

This is often an exciting, yet bittersweet time of life.

You have arrived. Just a moment ago you were Nearing Retirement. When did you get to this place in life so quickly? Yikes, what do you need to do right now in preparation for that day?

Retirement.

Congratulations!

This is often an exciting, yet bittersweet time of life.

You have arrived. Just a moment ago you were Nearing Retirement. When did you get to this place in life so quickly? Yikes, what do you need to do right now in preparation for that day?

Retirement.

Congratulations!

This is often an exciting, yet bittersweet time of life.

Our Practice Areas

"He and his staff were kind, considerate and patient with all the questions my family and I had and the advice he gave us was a tremendous help. I would strongly recommend Krause Donovan to anyone needing legal help with estate planning."

"Although hesitant at first, I immediately felt at ease throughout the entire trust process. I have come away from this experience happy and relieved that I have provided my family for their future once I am gone."

"We were very pleased with the process, knowledge, and information. It is a relief to get all the legal documents, estate planning, will preparation, and powers of attorney completed. Now we can continue to live well!"

"Everyone was very informative, listened carefully to my needs, and crafted a trust that I am confident will serve me and my interests. As a veteran, I especially appreciate having my needs served by others that understand my concerns."

"We were pleased with the friendly and professional manner in which you and your staff explained legal matters to us. We felt confident that we were in “good hands” in the drawing up of this sensitive and important document."

"My experience was phenomenal. The warmth, skill, friendliness, and dedication of all the staff made my experience unique and memorable. While I was surprised at how many people I interacted with, it affirmed that I was in the best of care and with very knowledgeable people. I feel like I've been adopted into a warm and truly caring family!"

"I felt very comfortable working with Mr. Krause and Mr. Donovan, as well as all staff members. I also feel you sincerely care about each person's situation regardless of the size of their estate. TRUST was established up front and throughout the entire process. I am confident I can contract you should questions arise and look forward to our business relationship."

"Thank you so much for all of your hard work and time so far! I really appreciate your guidance throughout the process, it has already taken a huge weight off of my shoulders."

Learn How to Protect Your Family: Attend a Workshop

Attend one of our Estate Planning workshops to learn more about why estate planning is an essential element for making sure your family and legacy is protected.