Asset Protection

The use of irrevocable trusts, corporate entities, family limited partnerships and limited liability companies for asset protection purposes.

Charitable Giving

• Analysis of the benefit of a charitable gift
• Charitable remainder trusts
• Charitable lead trusts
• Conservation easements
• Private foundations

Conservatorships

The filing of temporary and permanent conservatorships; assistance in obtaining all required documentation and information required by the Probate Code; filing accountings and petitions; coordination with estate planning needs.

Elder Abuse Claims

Protection of senior citizen financial interests, establishment, defense and challenge of conservatorships.

Health Care Directives

Preparation of Advanced Health Care Directives that include client’s wishes as to being kept alive by artificial device, being an organ donor and for any special final instructions. 

Powers of Attorney

Preparation of general, durable and special powers of attorney as needed.

Pre and Post-Marital Agreements

Negotiation and drafting of agreements before marriage to set forth parties’ respective financial rights by contract. Negotiation and drafting of agreements during marriage to separate finances and obligations, often as a means of avoiding divorce for couples with financial difficulties.

Probate

Preparing all documents needed to probate a decedent’s will in any county in California; filing for and attending all necessary hearings; handling creditors’ claims, inventory and appraisals; preparation of court accountings and distribution of estate. 

Special Needs Trusts

Analysis of whether a situation qualifies for a Special Needs Trust; preparation of the Trust and all required reports and accountings; coordination with Probate Code requirements. 

Succession Planning

For business succession planning, the establishment of appropriate plans and agreements to allow the family and/or key employees the opportunity to carry on the business of the current owners. For family succession planning, the coordination of the estate plan to minimize death tax and to allocate assets to beneficiaries in a manner that will avoid future disputes. 

Tax Planning

Tax planning for business succession, individual and estate taxation; real estate transactions; estate planning; and tax deferred exchanges. Creative solutions to difficult tax planning issues. 

Trust Administration

All aspects of administration of trusts, including preparing the proper title for trust assets, allocation and distribution of trust assets to sub-trusts and/or beneficiaries, tax planning, notifications, negotiations and settlements with creditors and dissident beneficiaries. 

Wills and Trusts

Single and complex revocable trust estate plans, including revocable trusts; certification of trusts; pour-over wills; property agreements; durable powers of attorney and Advanced Health Care Directives. Preparation of irrevocable trusts for gifting, charity and life insurance.

Will Contests and Trust Disputes

We represent trustees and personal representatives, as well as beneficiaries or heirs in will contests and related decedent’s estate administration issues.