Estate Planning and Probate
Estate Planning to Avoid Probate
Probate court proceedings (the court process for transferring a deceased person's assets to the people who inherit them) can be long, costly, and confusing. The good news is people may take steps to spare their families the hassle.
Ed strategizes your estate plan with you to find the best ways to avoid probate for your loved ones. In California, you can make a living trust to avoid probate for virtually any asset you own—real estate, bank accounts, vehicles, etc. Ed focuses on the creation of a strong trust document (it's similar to a will), and the crucial transfer ownership of your property to yourself as the trustee of the trust.
However, Ed also will explore other options for your estate planning needs. At times, joint ownership of property titled correctly can suffice. Other times, Payable-on-Death Designations for various assets could avoid probate. Even Transfer-on-Death Deeds for Real Estate may be appropriate under certain circumstances.
The key to estate planning is the legal partner who will find the best beneficial combination of these avenues for your particular assets.
When Probate or Litigation is Necessary
The key to Probate legal assistance is finding an attorney who will help you minimize your costs, and find the least intrusive and expedient way to dispose of the deceased person's assets.
Probate isn't always necessary. Good attorneys will explore out-of-court processes available for various assets with you first. There is also some property that can be transferred with a streamlined procedure where the probate court is involved, but the process is simple and quick.
Managing costs, sensitive family affairs and legal matters takes both a firm and understanding approach. Contact us for a quote on Probate services today.
