Based in Fountain Valley, we at MacLeith Law represent clients across Southern California, including Huntington Beach and Seal Beach.
Passing on the property you have earned over a lifetime is one of the key functions of an estate plan. Wills and trusts are two of the most common ways to pass assets from one person to another. In order to achieve their desired result, a will or a trust must meet many legal requirements.
All too often, people attempt to create their own estate planning documents. Many times, these documents are unclear or do not meet statutory requirements. The cost and delay associated with resolving these situations can be very problematic. For these and other reasons, it is critical to work with an experienced estate planning lawyer.
From our office in Fountain Valley, we at MacLeith Law help families and individuals across Orange County and beyond with their estate planning needs.
Depending on your specific circumstances, a will or a trust may be in your best interests. If you need a will, our attorneys will take care to create a document that meets all requirements under California law. On the other hand, if your main estate planning goal is to avoid probate, a trust is likely the best option. Any assets placed in a trust will be managed by the successor trustee upon your death and distributed to your heirs without going through the expense and time associated with probate. Our law firm prepares all types of trusts, including:
Once we prepare your trust, our work is not finished. We will take appropriate steps to make sure you properly fund the trust. While a trust is right for many people, it is not the right choice for everyone.
Call our law firm at 714-594-7220 or complete our online contact form to discuss whether a will or trust is right for you.
Whether you need a trust or a will to distribute your assets upon your death, we will create documents that accurately reflect your wishes. In addition, we can create powers of attorney and advance health care directives to help your family if you become incapacitated. For families with minor children, we can establish guardianships for your children if you die before they reach the age of 18.
Planning for your death is not always an easy, or even pleasant topic of discussion. Nonetheless, it is important to confront these issues in order to create an estate plan that reflects your wishes. We place a high priority on cultivating personal relationships with our estate planning clients. By doing so, we create an environment where our clients are comfortable discussing end-of-life decisions and other sensitive issues. This helps us tailor our estate plans exact to our clients' needs.
Estate planning is not a process, not an event. It is important to update your estate plan so it reflects the realities of your life. We do what we can to help you maintain a current estate plan. For instance, we send out regular letters to our clients to remind them of updating their trust, will and other estate planning documents. This reflects our commitment to our clients' well-being.
Call 714-594-7220 or email our law firm to schedule a consultation.