Will your spouse inherit all of your property when you die?
If you aren’t married, will you be able to provide for your life partner?
Who will take care of your kids if you cannot be there?
If you die suddenly, will your family face unnecessary taxes?
The answer to these questions are part of a comprehensive estate plan. It takes into account all of your assets, your personal goals and your wishes for your health and physical care. Almost every professional estate plan also includes legal documents, like Wills, Trusts and Powers of Attorney.
When you contact us, we will meet with you to learn about your goals and intentions. Then, we will clearly explain your choices and help you arrive at a plan that is clear and understandable.
Do you need a lawyer to create an estate plan?
In California, as in most states, you are not required to hire a lawyer to draft basic estate planning documents. But the legal documents are just one component of an estate plan. By creating your own documents, without an attorney to guide you, you risk leaving gaps and confusion about your wishes and saddling your family with unnecessary fees and taxes. You have one shot to get it right. After you pass away, you cannot go back and fix your mistakes.
Hiring an attorney is expensive but it’s less expensive than doing it yourself. This is because we offer our estate planning services on a flat-fee basis. That means, you pay a fixed price for a comprehensive plan customized just for you. In contrast, if your family needs to hire a lawyer after you die either, because you didn’t have documents in place or because your plan was incomplete or confusing, your family would the attorney’s hourly rate, usually between $300-$400 per hour. In addition, your family could face court costs, expert witness fees, and more. In almost all cases, working with an estate planning attorney to craft an estate plan is the best use of your time and money.
If you’re ready to find out how to take the first steps to protect your family, we invite you to contact us now.