Estate Planning Attorneys in Los Angeles, California

Most people do not like to think about death, which is why the prospect of estate planning may seem too overwhelming. However, estate planning is critical because it helps preserve your assets for future generations, manages your affairs, and ensures that you and your family members are looked after.

The estate planning attorneys at Gomez Law, APC help clients throughout Los Angeles County create estate plans that best suit their needs. You can reach out to the law firm’s office in Los Angeles, California, to get assistance at every step of the estate planning process.

Why Estate Planning Is Important

Planning for the end of life is never easy. However, estate planning is important for every adult regardless of age, wealth, and health. Having an estate plan can eliminate and reduce some of the uncertainties you and your loved ones may have. While there are many reasons why people decide to seek the guidance of an estate planning attorney to create an estate plan, the following are some of the most prominent ones:

• You can make your wishes known. An estate plan allows you to make your wishes known to everyone, including your loved ones, to ensure that your assets are distributed to the people you choose and that your other requests will be honored in the event of your incapacity or death.

• You can make probate easier or avoid it altogether. Probate, which is the legal process of administering a deceased person’s estate, can be costly and lengthy. Having a well-crafted estate plan in place that employs a variety of estate planning tools and techniques can help avoid probate or make the process easier.

• You can significantly reduce taxes. Certain estate planning techniques may allow you to reduce or eliminate estate taxes at both the state and federal levels.

• You can protect yourself in the event of incapacity. An estate plan can create protections for you, your assets, and your family if you become incapacitated and are no longer able to make decisions on your own.  

• You can prevent family feuds. It is not uncommon for the distribution of assets to trigger family feuds. Creating an estate plan could help prevent feuds and fights within the family.

If you are still uncertain whether or not you need an estate plan, consult with an estate planning attorney who will carefully review your specific situation and help you understand how you can benefit from drafting a will or establishing a trust in your particular case.

Documents That May Be
Included in an Estate Plan

The documents that should be included in an estate plan vary from one individual to another, depending on their objectives and needs. That is why it is vital to understand what you want to achieve with your estate plan in order to create a comprehensive plan. Some of the most common estate planning documents include:

1. Will. Also known as a last will and testament, a will spells out a person’s wishes for the distribution of assets. The document can also be used to appoint a guardian for minor children and choose the person who will manage the estate after the testator’s death.

2. Trust. By setting up a trust, you can give another party the right to hold title to your property for the benefit of your beneficiary. The assets held in a trust can avoid probate, not to mention that having a trust protects your privacy and provides tax benefits, among other advantages.

3. Power of attorney. When a power of attorney is included in an estate plan, it can be used to appoint a person who would act on your behalf and make decisions for you in the event of your incapacity.

4. Advance directive. With an advance directive, you can leave detailed instructions for medical treatment and spell out your wishes regarding medical care when you can no longer make decisions on your own.

The documents that should be included in your estate plan depend on your specific circumstances. Each document serves a different purpose, which is why it’s important to get in touch with a skilled estate planning attorney to create a plan customized to your unique situation and needs.

How Your Attorney Can Help

An estate planning attorney can help you in a variety of ways. When you reach out to an attorney, they will evaluate your unique situation to understand your specific goals and needs. Estate planning attorneys can:

• Advise you on your estate planning options

• Ensure that your estate plan is compliant with existing laws

• Create and implement an estate plan tailored to your needs and circumstances

• Provide you with the support and guidance you need when planning your future

The estate planning attorneys at Gomez Law, APC work closely with every client to create solutions tailored to their specific circumstances. The Los Angeles-based attorneys have extensive experience in helping clients prepare and implement documents like wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advance directives, and others.