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Orange County Estate Planning Attorneys
Estate planning is an important task that any person should consider as they reach adulthood, regardless of the size or complexity of their estate. Responsible adults understand that circumstances can change from day to day and therefore must provide a plan for their loved ones which can survive their death or incapacity. If you are considering drafting estate planning documents, contact an experienced Orange County estate planning attorney who can answer any questions you may have and draft a document that resolves all your potential estate issues.
What is Estate Planning?
“Estate planning” is really just a legal word to describe different documents that specify and define what happens to your estate upon your death or incapacitation. This includes documents which dictate:
- Who receives your property upon your death
- Who makes decisions regarding your health if you are incapacitated
- Who decides what to do when you are on life support
- What happens to your spouse and/or children upon your death or incapacitation
- Who is put in charge of your financial affairs in the case of your incapacitation
- Whether any charities receive assets upon your death
These estate planning documents include a standard will, durable power of attorney, medical power of attorney, guardianship of minor or disabled children, directive to physicians, and “living” trusts. Many people in California think they can draft these documents on their own, with kits they receive from the internet. However, many of these documents will not stand up in court, or are easy to poke holes in by anybody who wishes to contest the document. It is important that you contact an experienced trust and estate attorney in Orange County who will draft a document that is lasting and appropriately witnessed which will help prevent any litigation during probate proceedings.
It is additionally important to plan for probate fees and any tax consequences of estate planning documents. It might be better for one person to tie up their assets in wills and trusts, while another person may find it easier to divide their assets through a will. An attorney can help you make these difficult decisions by explaining to you what their burden to your loved ones will be in your unique situation, and whether one option is better than the other.
Boyd Law | Orange County Estate Planning Attorneys
Estate planning documents often seem like documents which can be put off till a later point in life, but it is never too early to consider what happens to your loved ones on your death or incapacity. It is important to draft documents early on which provide for your loved ones and dictate your wishes to them. Otherwise, they will have the difficult decision of interpreting what you may have wanted through actions in the past or comments you may have made during life.
Contact the attorneys of Boyd Law at your earliest convenience to begin drafting your estate planning documents. These documents will give you peace of mind that your family is provided for in case anything happens to you, and will not unduly burden your family after your death or incapacity when they will be dealing with the emotional strain of the situation. Contact our Orange County office today for your initial free consultation.
