Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning
Many people hesitate to draw up a will or estate plan. Estate planning can be confusing and overwhelming, and it’s natural to want to put it off. But think of it this way: If you don’t have an estate plan, the State has one for you.
Unfortunately, the State’s plan isn’t a very good one. It is much better to create your own estate plan so that you control how your assets will be handled.
If you do not have a will, you are what the State calls “intestate.” In this scenario, your last wishes are not documented. It may be problematic to determine how your assets will be distributed. The government has the final say over how your assets are handled. You do not have control over the final disposition, and you and your heirs do not have privacy.
If the worst happens and you are intestate, there are also likely to be adverse tax consequences, on top of the stress and aggravation for your heirs.
Even with a will, your heirs will most likely have to go to probate court. This means time, expense, hassle, and generous statutory attorney’s fees for the attorney handling the probate—and these fees come right out of your estate, instead of going to your heirs.
THERE IS A BETTER WAY. An attorney can help you create a personalized estate plan so that your assets are handled and distributed the way you want them to be. We can provide advice and counsel to help make sure that your documents carry out your actual wishes, just the way you intend. We can provide innovative solutions such as a family trust, which can allow you to have your assets distributed as intended without the time, hassle, and expense of probate court.
We are a local Long Beach law office with a focus on providing excellent, personalized service at reasonable rates. All legal services are performed by a licensed, experienced attorney. With us, your documents will be drawn up by the attorney you discuss your plans with. We do not use paralegals, secretaries, or “legal document preparers.” We will meet with you to discuss your plans, and draw up each legal document personally and specifically in order to meet your needs. We can come to you at your home or office at a time that works for you, or come meet with us in our comfortable, low-stress office. We offer affordable, low-hassle flat rates. Our personalized, client-focused service can take the stress out of estate planning and allow you to breathe easy, knowing that your assets will be distributed the way you intend when you do pass on. We are a small family business, not an uncaring monolithic firm or a shady "document preparation" business. OUR CLIENTS MATTER TO US, because we know our business could not exist without them!
Don’t hesitate – contact us today using the “Contact” tab at the top!