This includes ensuring you understand our process, in-depth conversations about what matters to you and what you hope to accomplish with your estate plan, and the legal underpinnings and context for why a living trust system works. Our law firm offers a flat fee so we can go where your planning needs take us without anyone watching the clock or toe-tapping. Throughout the process, we collaborate with our clients, their loved ones (and sometimes, advisors) to craft a workable game plan that accounts for what’s important to you. Our trust-based estate plans center around the things that are important to you, from children (or parents), values to philanthropy to beneficiary well-being. Only then do we prepare the necessary documents for that plan.Īt Blacksburg Law, we know that the documents are important – but they are just the vehicle that we use to help you accomplish your goals. We focus on your overall planning goals, crafting the appropriate instructions for those goals, and then organizing your information and supporting communication so that your plans have the best chance of a successful reality. Our law firm offers a radically different approach. Their process is then typically focused on who’s in charge and who gets your possessions after you die. Please see our Living Trust Mills page for more information.For too many law firms, estate planning involves little more than a checklist of necessary documents. However, be aware that not every person offering to set up a trust is trustworthy. Whether or not to create a trust is a personal decision and you should consider whether you need to hire a lawyer or other estate planning professional. There are books and guides available that teach you how to do this yourself, but you should be very careful and make sure that these publications have been customized to comply with California law. You can also use a will to make arrangements for the care of your minor children.įinally, you can arrange for the distribution of your property through a living trust. But, even though your will can provide for information on how to distribute your assets, your beneficiaries or a named executor will still need to go through a court process called probate to distribute your property. One way you can control the distribution of your property after death is through a will. Also in California some things you own, such as a house, may be registered with your county as “community property.” If that’s the case, your surviving spouse becomes the sole owner on your death. If it’s a joint account, that is if you and someone own the account together, the other account holder usually gets the balance when you die. Usually, the financial company or insurance company allows you to select the beneficiary at the time you open the account, and will allow you to change it at any time. However, some property, such as joint bank accounts, insurance proceeds, 401Ks, and other financial investments, will be given to the person you designated as the beneficiary. This is a complicated process, but essentially the state will determine who gets the property based on their relationship to you. Generally, if you die without a will, trust, or other provision for the distribution of your money and property, that money and property will be distributed according to California law. For more information, go to Attorneys/Lawyers page or visit the California State Bar website. If you are trying to decide how to provide for the distribution of your assets or care of your children after you die and you need legal assistance, you should hire your own lawyer. Important: The California Attorney General does not give legal advice to individuals.
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