Advice to Trustees
A trustee can be personally liable for mistakes or omissions that result in losses for the trust, and needs sound advice to ensure accurate and complete compliance with all aspects of trust administration. If you have been named a trustee, we strongly recommend that you retain professional assistance from a trustworthy source.Â
The Process of Probate
Probate follows what is typically a painful emotional loss.Â
Most executors have rarely if ever probated a will and know little about the process. We can guide you through the complex probate process, including:
- Filing the will with the California probate court
- Developing the best strategy for fairly and expeditiously probating the estate
- Finding and collecting assets
- Closing and opening bank accounts
- Transferring assets from the deceased to the estate
- Paying estate taxes
- Valuing, managing, preserving, and liquidating the estate
- Locating beneficiaries
- Hiring experts, when appropriate
California Trusts and Estates Attorney Helping You Plan
Preserving your Family’s Wealth for Future Generations
Whether you’re planning the parameters of your future medical care or establishing support for loved ones upon your death, an attorney can help with all aspects of trusts and estates issues, including:
- Estate Planning
- Estate Tax Issues
- Choosing the Appropriate Executor
- Guardianship
- Living Wills
- Living Trusts
- Wills Drafting
Securing Your Legacy
You work hard for your family, so knowing that you have planned for their long-term well-being and financial security can bring you comfort. We thoroughly analyze your estate and strategize the best means of transferring your assets, minimizing taxes, establishing guardianship for your children, caring for your pets, supporting personal philanthropic causes, and protecting your loved ones.
Draft Your Living Will and Last Will and Testament
A will is essential at every stage of your life. Your living will set the parameters for medical intervention in case you become incapacitated. This assures that when you are most vulnerable, your wishes will be honored.
Your last will provides the opportunity to distribute your property, establish care for your children, and otherwise express your wishes upon your death. A will is necessary if you intend to leave property to a person or entity other than a blood relative, such as a domestic partner, a friend, or a charity. If you die without a will, the court determines how your property is distributed, who cares for your children, and even what happens to your pet – making decisions that might not reflect your desires.
Changing Your Will
As your life changes, so might your estate plan. You may need to update your will throughout your life. We draft valid codicils that address changes in your financial situation, marital status, number of children, philanthropic interests, and general lifestyle decisions.