Estate Planning For your Family's Future
Worry less when you set loved ones up for success with a professional estate planning attorney.
Estate Planning Journey Step by Step
1
Meet with our founding estate planning attorney. He will talk to you about your assets, goals, and suggest the exact type of trust or will that meets the needs of your estate.
2
In either the case of a will or a trust, we will send the first draft over for your review. If needed, we can schedule another meeting to answer any remaining questions.
3
You will sign and notarize the final version of the trust or will.
FAQ – Questions?
What happens if I do not have a will when I pass away?
The assets of your estate will pass by the laws of intestate succession, which are the default rules when there is no will. For example, in California if you die without a will, your spouse and children will receive your property. If you don’t have a spouse or children, your parents would receive your property. If you have no surviving parents, then your property is distributed to other family members, starting with those in the closest degree of relationship to you (like your siblings) and then to more distant relatives (like your aunt or your former brother-in-law from your deceased spouse).
What is probate and does a will help me avoid it?
Probate is the legal process of distributing your estate after you die. It is a process that is supervised by the court and includes taking an inventory of the assets your estate owns, giving notice of your death to beneficiaries, heirs and creditors, paying claims to creditors, and distributing your assets. Having a will does not help you avoid probate, but it does say what should happen during the probate process.
What are the differences between wills and trusts?
A will is a legal document that only becomes effective at the time of your death. It is admitted to probate court and becomes a public record. It transfers ownership of your probate assets to the people you name as beneficiaries.
A trust becomes effective immediately after you create it. It provides for the private administration of your assets and includes instructions on how your trust assets should be managed.
What are the advantages of a trust over a will?
A trust is privately administered, so your financial affairs do not become a matter of public record. Using a trust can allow your loved ones to receive property faster since they do not have to wait for the conclusion of the probate process. A trust can help you avoid probate while a will cannot.
Visit our Knowledge Center to read through some of the most important questions regarding trusts, wills, and the the type of services an estate planning attorney can deliver to you. Our FAQ section will give you a greater understanding of the details and benefits when choosing to form a revocable living trust or will.
About Us
Estate planning is essential for everyone, but some still insist on leaving their legacy up to chance. Our law firm makes difficult things more comfortable, saves loved ones from attorney fees, and puts your worries at ease. Our expertise stems from many years of estate planning for high-net-worth entrepreneurs, corporate transactions, and an array of entrepreneurial experiences.
Our estate planning attorneys are highly skilled at revocable living trusts, wills, irrevocable trusts for tax optimization and asset protection, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. Above all, we’re easy to talk to and can make estate planning understandable and easy for everybody involved.