ANTHONY G. (TONY) MANSELL Attorney at Law

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  • A law practice serving clients in the areas of:

  • Estate Planning
  • Administration of Decedents' Estates
  • Wills and Trusts
  • Probate

About Our Firm

The office of Anthony G. – Tony – Mansell, Attorney at Law, serves clients in Central Arkansas.
If you don't make a plan, the state makes a plan for you. But you can name your beneficiaries and specify your bequests to them with planning assistance from our estate law firm. Estate planning is about control and protection. You control where and to whom your money and property goes, and you protect your money and property from being drained by probate.
If you do find yourself having lost a loved one and needing help managing their assets, we can help you there as well. You might have to go to court, but often you don’t. One of our goals is to avoid the administration of estates through the courts, unless the law requires it. You deserve a smooth process without complications.
Contact us today to schedule a no-cost consultation.

Meet Our Attorney

Anthony (Tony) Mansell

Tony comes to you with a diverse background. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Engineering from Mississippi State University, as well as a Juris Doctorate from the Bowen School of Law in Little Rock. With 11 years of engineering experience, 15 years of lecturing mathematics at the University of Arkansas Little Rock, and 12 years of practicing law, Tony has a lot of knowledge and expertise.

His passion lies in estate planning and probate matters, although he also handles property disputes and cases involving domestic affairs. Tony’s commitment to his clients is evident in his reasonable fees, ensuring that many who could not otherwise afford legal representation can access his services. He deeply cares about his clients and recognizes the importance of every case. Even though he cannot guarantee specific results, at the end of the day, he wants you to know that he did his best.

Tony has been blessed with some good things in life, and so he adheres to the principle: from those to whom much is given, much is expected.

Offering Limited Scope Representation...


What is Limited Scope Representation?
This is an arrangement that might offer you significant savings. If we agree to represent you under a "Limited Scope Representation Contract," it means that we agree only to perform and charge for narrowly defined services. Usually, those services compose only a part, maybe a small part, of what's needed for your case. The person who does the rest is often you. Someone with competence and skill can sometimes meet many of the demands of a legal case, while depending on an attorney to do the part that only he or she understands how to do. The result is that you pay less for the management of your case. This representation is not for everybody. People hire lawyers for a reason. To be safe, you may want to rely on us from start to finish. Feel free to bring up Limited Scope Representation whenever we discuss your case.

Why do you need a will?

What is a will?

A will, often referred to as a last will and testament, is a legal document that outlines a person's wishes regarding the distribution of their property and the care of any minor children or dependents after their passing. It allows individuals to specify who will receive their assets, how those assets will be divided, and who will be responsible for carrying out the terms of the will. Additionally, a will may include provisions for naming guardians for minor children, establishing trusts, and specifying funeral arrangements.

Why having a will is important

There are many reasons to possess a will, and here are a few...
Control over asset distribution: A will allows you to dictate how your assets will be distributed after your death. Without a will, your property may be distributed according to state laws, which may not align with your wishes.
Guardianship for minors: If you have minor children, a will allows you to appoint a guardian to care for them in the event of your death. Without a will, the court will decide who will take care of your children.
Avoiding family disputes: A clear and legally binding will can help prevent conflicts among your family members regarding the distribution of your assets. It provides clarity and reduces the likelihood of disputes and legal battles.

Why you may (or may not) need a trust

What is a trust?

A trust is a legal arrangement in which one party, known as the trustor, settlor, or grantor, transfers assets to another party, known as the trustee. This is done to hold and manage assets for the benefit of a third party, known as the beneficiary. Trusts are established based on a written trust agreement, which outlines the terms and conditions under which the assets are to be managed and distributed.

Types of Trusts

Each type of trust serves a different purpose ...
Revocable Trust
Also known as a living trust, this type of trust can be altered or revoked by the trustor during their lifetime. It allows for flexibility and control over the assets placed in the trust and often serves to provide for the management of assets in case of incapacity.
Irrevocable Trust
The opposite of a revocable trust, once established, an irrevocable trust cannot be altered or revoked by the trustor. This type of trust is often used for estate planning, asset protection, and charitable purposes.
Charitable Trust
This type of trust is created for the purpose of donating assets to charitable organizations or causes. Charitable trusts can provide tax benefits for the trustor while supporting charitable endeavors.
Special Needs Trust
Also known as a supplemental needs trust, this type of trust is designed to provide for the ongoing care and support of a person with disabilities without jeopardizing their eligibility for government benefits such as Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income.
Asset Protection Trust
These trusts are established to protect assets from lawsuits and other potential threats. They can be set up in various jurisdictions with favorable asset protection laws.

The Pros and Cons of Creating a Trust

Pros ...
  • Assets can be distributed to beneficiaries more quickly and privately.
  • Unlike wills, which become public record when probated, trusts are typically private documents.
  • Trusts offer flexibility, as you can specify how and when beneficiaries receive their inheritances
  • Trusts can provide for the management of your assets in the event of your incapacity or disability.
  • Certain types of trusts, such as irrevocable trusts, can be used for tax planning purposes to minimize estate taxes, gift taxes, and income taxes.
Cons ...
  • Setting up and administering a trust can be more complex and costly than creating a will.
  • Once assets are transferred into a trust, you may lose direct control over them, especially in the case of irrevocable trusts.
  • Trusts can be subject to legal challenges, especially if beneficiaries disagree with the terms of the trust or the actions of the trustee.
  • A trust may not be necessary; if the estate is small or the planning is straightforward, a will would suffice.

Fees and Costs

Fee Schedule: Estate Planning Services
There is no charge for an initial conversation/consultation. If you decide to proceed, there is an Administrative Fee of $75 per person. Hourly rate: $125
For Specific Services ...
It is difficult to forecast how much time your case will take. However, we can offer fixed fees for certain services. You should always feel free to talk about how you are being charged. Your satisfaction is important to us.

There are no fee disputes...

We strive to charge reasonable fees for the work that we do. If you ever feel that our fee is unjustified, or that you have been overcharged, please bring it to our attention, and we will courteously respond. We are committed to ensuring that our clients are left completely satisfied with our work and without need or complaint.
A DOWN PAYMENT IN ADVANCE IS REQUESTED. IT IS DEPOSITED IN A SPECIAL TRUST ACCOUNT FOR ATTORNEYS. WE DO NOT COLLECT IT UNTIL WE HAVE EARNED YOUR FEE.

Contact Me ...

Contact
(501) 240-6542
tonyx@swbell.net
Address
1501 N University Avenue #250Little Rock, AR 72207
Get in Touch
The author generated this text in part with GPT- 3, OpenAI’s large-scale language- generation model. Upon generating draft language, the author reviewed, edited, and revised the language to their own liking and takes ultimate responsibility for the content of this publication.