California Probate Terms - Probate Attorneys Southern California

Have you considered setting up a trust to protect your assets and ensure that they're passed on efficiently and according to your wishes? A will may not be enough to ensure that your family and loved ones are cared for after your death. While there has been significant tax reform in the past years, there are still exorbitant taxes to be paid on inheritances. A probate attorney in Southern California can help you plan your estate so that your heirs pay minimal taxes and much of your property is transferred without probate court involvement.

Probate attorneys have a number of tools that they can bring to bear to help you create an estate plan that covers all the most important decisions that may be required of you in the future. Those tools include medical powers of attorney, durable power of attorney, living wills and living trusts. A probate attorney in Southern California can also assist you in transferring your assets into trusts, joint tenancy or other type of holding that will not be subject to probate. This will save your family and beneficiaries the trouble and expense of going through probate.

Among the ways of holding assets that are not subject to probate, living trusts are the least understood by the layman. A living trust allows you to have access to and use of your assets during your life, while ensuring that they pass to the intended beneficiaries upon your death without the necessity of probate. There are specific conditions that must be met in order to set up and manage a living trust, so you should consult a probate attorney. Southern California law offices generally have experts in estate planning and probate on staff and can assist you with information and guidance about living trusts.

Many people mistakenly believe that community property will automatically be transferred to the surviving partner of the marriage. In fact if there is no will, the decedent's portion of the community property may be subject to probate. Property that is held by a joint tenancy will transfer to the surviving partners in the tenancy.

For other tips and advice on estate planning, consult a probate attorney. Why wait until it's too late to make decisions about your estate? Find out more information about Probate Attorneys Southern California

Probate Articles for California Cities

California Counties Served By A 1800 Probate Lawyer

Probate Articles for California Terms

Looking For A Probate Lawyer In Your State?