Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on your needs. A basic plan with a will, healthcare directive, and power of attorney costs less than a full trust-based plan. We work on flat fees, so you know the full price upfront with no hourly surprises. The best way to get an exact number is to book a free consultation and talk through your situation.
If you own a home in California, have minor children, or run a business, a will alone usually isn't enough. A will still goes through probate. A living trust keeps your estate out of court, private, and faster to settle. Here's our full California living trust guide.
Most California plans include four core pieces: a living trust, a will (often a pour-over will), a durable power of attorney for finances, and an advance healthcare directive. Together they cover your assets, your kids, and your medical and financial decisions. See the full breakdown of what's included in a California estate plan.
Yes. Estate planning isn't only about money. It names guardians for your children, lets someone manage your finances if you can't, and records your medical wishes. Even a modest estate plan spares your family from court and confusion.
The state decides. Your assets pass under California's intestate succession laws, not your wishes, and your family likely faces probate. That means court delays, public records, and added cost during an already hard time.
Probate is generally required when an estate's value passes the state's small-estate threshold, which is $208,850 for deaths on or after April 1, 2025. A home alone usually pushes you well past that. Assets held in a trust skip probate entirely.
Usually 12 to 18 months, and sometimes longer if the estate is complex or contested. A funded living trust avoids that wait altogether. If you're already facing probate, our team can guide you through it. Learn more on our probate page.
California sets attorney and executor fees by statute, based on the estate's gross value. On a $1 million estate, that can run into tens of thousands of dollars, often 4 to 7% of the estate. Proper estate planning usually avoids these fees completely.
Often, yes. A properly funded living trust is the most reliable way to keep your estate out of probate, no matter its size. Beneficiary designations and joint ownership can help too. We'll build a plan that fits your family.
Yes. We handle uncontested probate matters across California. We manage the court steps, paperwork, and deadlines so you can focus on your family. Reach out for a free consultation.
Without a power of attorney and a healthcare directive, a court may have to appoint someone to manage your finances and medical care through a conservatorship. That process is slow, public, and costly. The right documents prevent it.
A healthcare power of attorney names who makes medical decisions for you. An advance directive also spells out your wishes, like end-of-life care, so your agent and doctors know what you want. In California, they're often combined into one document. Full comparison: healthcare POA vs advance directive.
It starts with a free discovery call. We learn your goals, recommend the right plan, prepare your documents, and walk you through signing. You'll deal directly with Isha the whole way. Book your free consultation to begin.
Yes. We offer virtual consultations, secure document portals, and e-signatures, so you can handle most of your plan from home, anywhere in California. Get in touch to set up a virtual session.
Review it every three to five years, and sooner after big life changes: marriage, divorce, a new child, a death in the family, or a major purchase. We offer ongoing support to keep your estate plan current as life changes.
Choose someone you trust to be organized, honest, and responsible, often a spouse, adult child, or close friend. They'll manage and distribute your estate per your wishes, with help from us during trust administration. Not sure who to pick? We'll help you think it through.
If you haven't named a guardian, a court decides who raises them. In your will, you can nominate the guardian you trust. Parents with college-bound kids may also want college planning to protect assets and decisions as children turn 18.
No. California doesn't impose a state estate tax or inheritance tax. Only very large estates may owe federal estate tax. For most families, smart planning is about avoiding probate, not taxes. We'll show you exactly where you stand.
A handwritten (holographic) will can be valid if it's entirely in your own handwriting and signed by you. But DIY wills often miss key details, still go through probate, and lead to disputes. A properly drafted will and trust protects your family far better.
Our office is in Chatsworth, but we serve families across California for estate planning and uncontested probate. Thanks to virtual services, your location isn't a barrier. See our practice areas or contact us to get started.
