Plan now, so your family never has to guess later.
Wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives for families across Southern California and the Phoenix metro area, plus probate and trust administration when a plan needs to be carried out.
A plan is only as good as the person carrying it out
We've seen what happens when no one steps forward to act.
In one case, a homeowner passed away, and none of her three surviving children moved to take charge of the estate. By the time a family member finally reached out to us for help, more than a year had gone by, and the house was already in foreclosure. Probate does not stop a foreclosure. The family lost the home.
Estate planning is not just about avoiding probate fees. It's about clearly naming someone, in writing, who is responsible for acting on your behalf, so your wishes actually get carried out instead of getting lost in indecision.
Flat-fee planning packages are available. We'll walk you through pricing during your consultation.
Estate planning and probate matters we handle
Wills
Directing how your property is distributed and naming who is in charge of carrying that out.
Revocable living trusts
Structuring your assets to avoid probate and keep your affairs private.
Powers of attorney
Naming who can manage your finances if you're unable to do so yourself.
Advance healthcare directives
Naming who makes medical decisions for you, and documenting your wishes, if you can't speak for yourself.
Probate & estate administration
Guiding executors and administrators through the court process of settling an estate.
Trust administration
Helping successor trustees carry out a trust's terms correctly and avoid personal liability.
Contested estates
Representing beneficiaries, trustees, and executors in will and trust disputes, litigated by a trial attorney, not just referred out.
Special needs planning
Structuring a plan that provides for a loved one with a disability without jeopardizing their public benefits.
Will vs. trust: which do you actually need?
Most people have heard both terms. Fewer people know which one actually does what.
A will takes effect after you die and generally has to go through probate, the court process of validating the document, paying debts, and distributing what's left. A revocable living trust takes effect as soon as it's signed and funded, meaning assets are actually retitled into it, and can let your family skip probate entirely for anything it holds.
The most common mistake isn't failing to create a trust, it's creating one and never funding it. An unfunded trust doesn't avoid probate for the assets left outside it.
Most complete plans include both a trust and a "pour-over" will, the will acts as a backup, catching anything not properly transferred into the trust during life.
This is general information, not legal advice about your specific situation.
How we build your plan
Free consultation
We talk through your family, your assets, and what you're actually worried about, no jargon, no pressure.
We design your plan
Will, trust, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives, whichever combination actually fits your situation.
Sign, fund, and store it properly
We make sure any trust is actually funded, not just signed and filed away, since an unfunded trust doesn't do its job.
Common questions
This is general information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Consult an attorney about your specific situation.
What is the difference between a will and a trust?
A will directs who receives your property, but assets left through a will generally still go through probate. A revocable living trust holds title to your assets during your lifetime and can allow your family to avoid probate entirely for anything properly transferred into it. Most complete estate plans use both, a trust for probate avoidance and a will as a backup.
Do I need an estate plan if I don't have a lot of assets?
Yes. An estate plan is not only about property. A power of attorney and healthcare directive determine who can make financial and medical decisions for you if you become incapacitated, and having someone clearly in charge of your affairs matters regardless of how much you own.
What happens if I die without a will?
If you die without a will, state intestate succession law decides who inherits your property, without any input from you. Both California and Arizona have their own intestate succession rules.
What is probate and how long does it take?
Probate is the court-supervised process of validating a will, paying debts, and distributing a deceased person's assets. Depending on the size and complexity of the estate, it commonly takes several months to over a year, and involves court fees and attorney costs that a properly funded trust can often avoid.
Ready to put a plan in place?
Free consultation. Serving Southern California and the Phoenix metro area.