At our law firm, Conover & Grebe, LLP, in Torrance, California, we represent clients who are seeking assistance in the preparation of estate planning documents. When you seek our services, we will meet to evaluate the exact type of estate plan that best suits your needs.
Not all estate plans are the same. Having a properly drafted estate plan is critical. With such a plan you can be confident that your interests and desires will be protected.
At Conover & Grebe, LLP, we help tailor your estate plan within the confines of your budget. We will advise you about all of your options and guide you to the right choice.
No matter what you choose, we will help you to achieve your goals efficiently, effectively and affordably. To do so, we keep the total cost of an estate plan in mind. For example, a properly drafted and funded trust will generally avoid the administrative time, costs and fees of Probate, and is especially useful during any incapacity. A Will, however, does not. A Trust is a "living document" and will provide during your lifetime. A Will comes into existence at your death. Choosing to create a Trust instead of a Will, in certain situations, can be a cost-effective decision.
We use a variety of estate planning documents, including the following:
- Wills
- Trusts - Revocable Living Trusts, Testamentary Trusts, Special Needs Trusts, etc.
- Beneficiary Designations
- Powers of Attorney - General, Specific, Durable
- Deeds - Joint Tenancy and Community Property with Right of Survivorship
- Advance Health Care Directive - Power of Attorney for Health Care - Living Will
- Nominating a Guardian
An Advance Health Care Directive allows you to choose a trusted person within your document to follow the health care and personal decisions you have made for yourself. If, for example, you become ill and are unable to make medical decisions yourself, you will have given authority and guidance to another individual to follow your directions and instructions. Many other personal choices can be included in this document such as organ donation, funeral arrangements and the nomination of a conservator. In states other than California, an Advance Health Care Directive may be called a Living Will.
In a Durable Power of Attorney for Finances or Property Management, you officially designate someone you trust to make financial decisions for you, if you are unable to do so. This document can be effective immediately and after you become incapacitated.
When you retain Conover & Grebe, LLP, to draft your estate plan, we will meet to talk confidentially about your assets and your family situations. Together, we will discuss the best way to distribute your assets. There are many factors to take into consideration. These include finding ways to avoid Probate, minimize taxes and preserve your MediCal/Medicaid eligibility.
Why Can't I Just Create My Own Will?
In this Internet age, many websites and computer programs advertise Do-It-Yourself Wills and Trusts for low prices. Drafting your own estate plan is a risky proposition. Just one missed signature, unchecked box or box checked erroneously can expose your family or beneficiary to the possibility of losing out on the intended inheritance. This can be the starting point for litigation that ranges from expensive to extremely expensive.
The best way to have an estate plan securely drafted is to work with an attorney familiar with both simple and complex estate planning issues. Seeking experienced legal counsel is especially critical if your family includes stepchildren, multiple heirs or complex assets. If you do not address these issues in your Trust or Will documents, family tension, alienation and unhappiness may occur during your incapacity or after your death, often leading to litigation.
Contact Our Los Angeles County Estate Planning Lawyers
If you are considering an estate plan or assistance with your current estate plan, or need guidance through the estate administration process, talking with an experienced lawyer will be most helpful. To talk with our Torrance, California, estate planning attorneys, we urge you to contact our law firm at 310-776-9028 or toll free at 866-661-9751 for a confidential consultation.
