Estate Planning
Introduction: Why Estate Planning Really Matters
Estate planning is, at its core, about deciding what happens to your things — your home, your bank accounts, your property — after you’re gone. But beyond documents and forms, estate planning is about giving your loved ones peace of mind. It ensures that your wishes are clearly laid out, and that your family won’t be left trying to guess what you would have wanted while also navigating legal and financial stress.
How I Approach Estate Planning
Unlike some firms that dive headfirst into complex trust law jargon, I take a simpler approach: I start by asking you what matters most. Whether that means caring for young children, protecting real estate, or making sure your home stays in the family, we start with your goals — and then I build the legal structure to match.
My role is to translate your intent into a complete, legally sound estate plan that avoids court, minimizes tax burdens, and protects your family in the future.
What I Include in a Typical Estate Plan
Every plan I create is tailored to the client, but most comprehensive California estate plans I prepare include:
A Revocable Living Trust
A Pour-Over Will
A Durable Power of Attorney for finances
An Advance Health Care Directive for medical decisions
Real estate transfer deeds to move property into the trust
Together, these documents form a holistic plan that protects you financially during your lifetime, directs your care if you become incapacitated, and handles your assets efficiently after death.
Why It’s So Important in California
In California, if you pass away and own a home or other property in your name — even modest property — your family often cannot simply transfer it. Unless your estate qualifies as a “small estate” under Probate Code §13100 (currently limited to $184,500 as of this writing), your loved ones must go through either a full probate or a formal court petition.
Even with recent changes like AB 2016, filings will still be required in most cases to transfer property. These rules can be burdensome, slow, and expensive for grieving families.
Estate planning solves this by organizing your assets now — so your family isn’t left untangling legal red tape later.
For Parents with Children — Planning Ahead is Critical
If you have minor children, estate planning becomes even more urgent. You can designate guardians, ensure financial support through the trust, and avoid court-supervised guardianship over your child’s inheritance. Without a plan in place, a judge who doesn’t know your family could end up deciding who raises your children or who controls their money.
My Philosophy
I believe estate planning should be approachable. You shouldn’t need to understand legal terminology like “residuary beneficiary” or “successor trustee” to get started. My job is to simplify, guide, and execute a plan that reflects your priorities — without overwhelming you.