Estate Planning Services
A comprehensive estate plan involves more than just creating a living trust. A living trust is an important part of an estate plan (see Trust vs. Will), and facilitates the orderly transfer of assets when someone dies. However, what will happen if you become incapacitated or are rendered unconscious for a long period of time? A living trust can’t provide your loved ones the power to speak to medical professionals or financial institutions. What will happen to your minor children if you are deceased? A living trust doesn’t address the issue of who will become the legal guardians of those minor children.
I encourage individuals and families to create a comprehensive estate plan. It is customary for me to meet with potential clients first, allowing my clients and I to “get to know” each other. During our initial meeting, I will ask questions about your assets, family members, and family relationships so I can recommend the best type of estate plan for your particular situation.
The key pieces of a comprehensive estate plan are:
- Living Trust (usually a revocable living trust; in some situations, an irrevocable living trust)
- Pourover Will
- Advanced Health Care Directive (power of attorney for health care)
- Durable Power of Attorney (power of attorney for finances)
- Community Property Agreement (for those potential clients who are married)
- Guardianship (for those potential clients who have minor children)
- Exhibit “A” (list of assets to be titled to Living Trust)
I also offer other types of advanced and non-standard estate planning documents such as:
- Special Needs Trust
- Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust
- Minor Children’s Trust
- Creation of Limited Liability Corporations or Family Limited Partnerships
My litigation experience distinguishes me from most other estate planning attorneys by giving me a unique perspective on how to create estate plans to withstand litigation or argument after the settlor is gone. A poorly drafted estate plan is rife with ambiguity, which makes it susceptible to multiple interpretations and oftentimes leads to arguments in Court.
Estate Planning Fees
I provide a free initial consultation for all estate planning services. During the consultation, I will work with you to learn your particular estate planning needs and family dynamics. This information will allow me to determine the actual cost of creating your estate plan. Estate plans are offered at a flat rate determined on a case-by-case basis. This flat rate includes all meetings and written, phone, and email communications required for the preparation of your documents. There are no hidden fees.
Contact me to schedule your free estate planning consultation.
Who can I turn to?
When a loved one dies, it is overwhelming for the family member(s) who undertake administering the deceased person’s estate, regardless of whether the decedent created a living trust, a Will, or no documents at all. I am experienced in both trust administration (where the decedent created a living trust) and in probate administration (where the decedent either created a Will or failed to create any type of testamentary document).
Administration Fees
In the case of trust administration, charges are based on an hourly rate. In uncontested matters, trust administrations encompass procedural tasks as mandated by the California Probate Code and assistance to the successor trustee in complying with his or her fiduciary duties. I provide expert advice and guidance on how to best administer a living trust, accomplishing these tasks and duties. My goal is to always implement the living trust as a cost effective solution, and to remove as much stress as possible from the family during this difficult time. I never indulge in unnecessary tasks; the goal is to guide the client to administer the trust as efficiently as possible.
In the case of Probate administration, attorney’s fees are set by statute as follows on the gross appraised values of the decedent’s assets subject to probate administration:
Contact me and let me help your family with your trust or probate administration needs.
When a loved one dies, it is overwhelming for the family member(s) who undertake administering the deceased person’s estate, regardless of whether the decedent created a living trust, a Will, or no documents at all. I am experienced in both trust administration (where the decedent created a living trust) and in probate administration (where the decedent either created a Will or failed to create any type of testamentary document).
Administration Fees
In the case of trust administration, charges are based on an hourly rate. In uncontested matters, trust administrations encompass procedural tasks as mandated by the California Probate Code and assistance to the successor trustee in complying with his or her fiduciary duties. I provide expert advice and guidance on how to best administer a living trust, accomplishing these tasks and duties. My goal is to always implement the living trust as a cost effective solution, and to remove as much stress as possible from the family during this difficult time. I never indulge in unnecessary tasks; the goal is to guide the client to administer the trust as efficiently as possible.
In the case of Probate administration, attorney’s fees are set by statute as follows on the gross appraised values of the decedent’s assets subject to probate administration:
- Four percent on the first one-hundred-thousand dollars ($100,000)
- Three percent on the next one-hundred-thousand dollars ($100,000)
- Two percent on the next eight-hundred-thousand dollars ($800,000)
- One percent on the next nine-million dollars ($9,000,000)
Contact me and let me help your family with your trust or probate administration needs.
Tax Planning Services
With a background in tax law and extensive experience in estate tax matters, I can help you with all of your estate tax planning needs. This includes preparing and filing federal estate tax returns and federal gift tax returns. It is my custom and practice to work closely with my client’s tax advisor and CPA to offer the client the best overall tax preparation and legal services possible. I am also knowledgeable on estate tax matters affecting non-resident aliens who own U.S. assets.
Estate Tax Service Fees
Depending on the needs of the client and the tasks required, charges may include a flat rate, an hourly rate, or a combination of both flat and hourly rate. Estate tax service fees are determined on a case-by-case basis after a free initial consultation.
Contact me for a consultation on estate and gift tax planning.
With a background in tax law and extensive experience in estate tax matters, I can help you with all of your estate tax planning needs. This includes preparing and filing federal estate tax returns and federal gift tax returns. It is my custom and practice to work closely with my client’s tax advisor and CPA to offer the client the best overall tax preparation and legal services possible. I am also knowledgeable on estate tax matters affecting non-resident aliens who own U.S. assets.
Estate Tax Service Fees
Depending on the needs of the client and the tasks required, charges may include a flat rate, an hourly rate, or a combination of both flat and hourly rate. Estate tax service fees are determined on a case-by-case basis after a free initial consultation.
Contact me for a consultation on estate and gift tax planning.
Experience Matters
Unfortunately, the death of a loved one may sometimes invoke misunderstandings or disagreements among beneficiaries. In those cases, trust and estate litigation may ensue. Unlike many estate planning attorneys who limit their area of practice to transactional work, such as drafting or administering an estate plan, I am experienced in trust litigation and have successfully argued and settled disputed cases for my clients. Once retained, I vigorously argue and advocate my client’s position, yet always stays mindful of pragmatic solutions that are in my client’s best interests.
Litigation Fees
I provide a free initial one-hour consultation to discuss the specifics of your case. Once retained, fees are charged at an hourly rate.
Contact me to schedule a consultation if you are considering trust or estate litigation
Unfortunately, the death of a loved one may sometimes invoke misunderstandings or disagreements among beneficiaries. In those cases, trust and estate litigation may ensue. Unlike many estate planning attorneys who limit their area of practice to transactional work, such as drafting or administering an estate plan, I am experienced in trust litigation and have successfully argued and settled disputed cases for my clients. Once retained, I vigorously argue and advocate my client’s position, yet always stays mindful of pragmatic solutions that are in my client’s best interests.
Litigation Fees
I provide a free initial one-hour consultation to discuss the specifics of your case. Once retained, fees are charged at an hourly rate.
Contact me to schedule a consultation if you are considering trust or estate litigation
Medi-Cal Services
The cost of the nursing facilities and long-term care for elderly individuals is skyrocketing. For the typical family, those costs are daunting and can feel unmanageable. I have experience helping families prepare for Medi-Cal planning and applying for Medi-Cal in those cases where the requirements are met. Medi-Cal planning is a comprehensive approach for those families considering applying for Medi-Cal benefits. I help families think beyond only qualification of the ill individual. Medi-Cal planning services include preserving the assets for the healthy spouse and preventing Medi-Cal from claiming reimbursement for the benefits received by the ill individual.
Medi-Cal Planning Fees
New Medi-Cal regulation changes have been proposed to the existing laws in an effort to make it harder for individuals to qualify for Medi-Cal. I encourage potential clients in need of Medi-Cal to schedule a free initial consultation and to apply for Medi-Cal under the existing laws and regulations. I provide Medi-Cal planning for a flat rate fee, which is determined on a case-by-case basis based on the particular issues and needs of each family.
Contact me for your free consultation on Medi-Cal planning and the most current Medi-Cal laws and regulations that may impact your family.
The cost of the nursing facilities and long-term care for elderly individuals is skyrocketing. For the typical family, those costs are daunting and can feel unmanageable. I have experience helping families prepare for Medi-Cal planning and applying for Medi-Cal in those cases where the requirements are met. Medi-Cal planning is a comprehensive approach for those families considering applying for Medi-Cal benefits. I help families think beyond only qualification of the ill individual. Medi-Cal planning services include preserving the assets for the healthy spouse and preventing Medi-Cal from claiming reimbursement for the benefits received by the ill individual.
Medi-Cal Planning Fees
New Medi-Cal regulation changes have been proposed to the existing laws in an effort to make it harder for individuals to qualify for Medi-Cal. I encourage potential clients in need of Medi-Cal to schedule a free initial consultation and to apply for Medi-Cal under the existing laws and regulations. I provide Medi-Cal planning for a flat rate fee, which is determined on a case-by-case basis based on the particular issues and needs of each family.
Contact me for your free consultation on Medi-Cal planning and the most current Medi-Cal laws and regulations that may impact your family.
Estate Planning Group Consultations
Setting up an estate plan is generally something that most people know they should do but is very easy for people to delay. People are busy with work, their families, and if they have a free hour or two, few would choose to spend it in a lawyer’s office.
I am a working mother of two young children, and identify with my clients’ demanding lives and schedules. Group consultations are a great way to learn about estate planning in a setting that fits your busy lifestyle. I work hard to demystify and simplify the estate planning process by guiding you through the different types and parts of an estate planning process and answering any questions your group might have along the way. After the session, each participant will leave armed with the knowledge they need to take the next step toward putting a comprehensive estate plan in place - one that meet the needs of their individual family.
Unlike your typical attorney, I provide my consultation services in the comfort of your home or a setting of your choice, at no charge. I will customize my information to meet the needs of the group, including:
Setting up an estate plan is generally something that most people know they should do but is very easy for people to delay. People are busy with work, their families, and if they have a free hour or two, few would choose to spend it in a lawyer’s office.
I am a working mother of two young children, and identify with my clients’ demanding lives and schedules. Group consultations are a great way to learn about estate planning in a setting that fits your busy lifestyle. I work hard to demystify and simplify the estate planning process by guiding you through the different types and parts of an estate planning process and answering any questions your group might have along the way. After the session, each participant will leave armed with the knowledge they need to take the next step toward putting a comprehensive estate plan in place - one that meet the needs of their individual family.
Unlike your typical attorney, I provide my consultation services in the comfort of your home or a setting of your choice, at no charge. I will customize my information to meet the needs of the group, including:
- Families with young children
- Estate planning in retirement
- Balancing the estate needs of blended families
- Estate tax planning
- Estate management for the elderly