Wills & Estates | Team

You don’t have to be a high-net worth individual to benefit from estate planning. Estate planning is important for everyone. Whether you have substantial or limited assets, an estate plan will aid in the distribution of those assets as you direct. An estate plan is essential not only to protect your assets but also to protect your loved ones and provide for the care and continued support of your family members when you no longer can.

Cali Law estate planning and administration attorneys will craft an estate plan that is unique to your situation and that ensures that your property will be distributed as specified in your Will. They will also advise you on ways to best reduce taxes and preserve the assets you leave behind, address any specific challenges you and your family may face such as guardianship or conservatorship, and ensure that your documents comply with current laws and regulations.

Your Will is a key component of your estate plan. This document spells out how you wish your property to be distributed and how any minor children or other dependents will be cared for in the event of your death. Your Cali Law wills and estates attorney will work with you to make sure that your Will clearly reflects your wishes, and that it is legally sound and accurate.

A trust can be established for many reasons, among them: reducing inheritance or estate taxes, asset preservation, making sure that your assets are distributed according to your wishes, helping to avoid the time and costs associated with probate, or helping a parent or other family member manage their financial affairs. Trusts have also been established for the ongoing care of beloved pets. If you are interested in creating a trust, a Cali Law trust attorney will provide expert advice in creating a trust that maximizes the value of your estate, limits the amount lost to estate taxes, and provides safety and security for your family.

Whether or not someone has a will or a trust, anyone who dies has an estate, which includes a person’s assets, debts and expenses. When a loved one dies, a Cali Law estate administration attorney can make sure that any assets are protected and distributed according to your loved one’s last wishes. We will also notify the estate’s legal heirs, ensure that any property is properly transferred, notify creditors, and file final taxes. For expert assistance with Probate and Estate Administration, contact Cali Law today.

When you are not able to make medical decisions for yourself, due to an injury, age, or illness, you can control the healthcare you receive though a living will or a healthcare directive. A living will allows you to specify which medical treatments, procedures and medications you would allow–or not allow–to keep you alive. A healthcare directive is used to provide guidance to doctors and caregivers about the medical care you want if you are incapacitated or unable to communicate. If you would like to help loved ones and doctors make medical decisions that reflect your wishes, a Cali Law attorney will provide you with expert assistance.

Power of Attorney (POA) is an essential legal document that gives someone the authority to make decisions on your behalf when you are no longer able to do so. There are different types of POAs, including financial POAs, which are limited to the management of your finances; medical POAs, used exclusively for healthcare decisions; and general POAs, which give the person of your choice authority over any decisions that you would normally have authority over. For expert assistance in creating a Power of Attorney that meets your specific needs, schedule a consultation with a Cali Law estate planning attorney.