California Wills

California Wills
Our California Estate Planning Attorney works with individuals, families, and business owners in drafting California Wills.  There are numerous reasons why individuals should have a will. A few of these are:

1.     Ensuring that you, not a court, chooses who will care for your minor children;

2.     Distributing your estate according to your wishes and desires, rather than according to the California Probate Code’s default rules;

3.     Choosing who will handle the distribution of your estate, rather than letting a government court decide;

4.     Reducing conflict and uncertainty among your heirs during their time of grieving; and

5.     Using the flexibility of will drafting techniques for charitable giving, tax planning, and other estate planning strategies.

Wills have many benefits, yet they rarely exist in a vacuum. In most situations, individuals should also consider the use of Durable Powers of Attorney, Advanced Health Care Directives, and Revocable Trusts for lifetime financial management and incapacity planning. Our Silicon Valley Estate Planning Lawyer can discuss these important issues with you during a complimentary consultation by phone or in person. Or, request an Estate Planning Information Pack to read about the benefits of wills and other estate planning documents in the privacy of your home.

Probate may be necessary for individuals choosing to have a will alone, resulting in possible California Probate Fees. In certain cases, while the terms of the will determine succession, the court must still rule on the will’s validity and the authority of an executor to distribute the estate. Creditors and relatives must be notified, and the contents of the estate will be made public as part of the court record. Some assets will not be subject to probate, however, including those held in trust or in joint tenancy with rights of survivorship. California Probate Fees are set by the Probate Code, and can be staggeringly high.

Contact our Menlo Park Law Office today to have a complimentary discussion on your next steps.