Blackhawk Estate Planning Attorneys

Helping Protect Your Assets for Your Loved Ones

Planning for the future can be a daunting task. However, it is an important one. 

Feldman Law Group is here to guide you through the process. Our goal is to make sure your wishes are carried out correctly. We have extensive experience in estate planning law, and we can help you create a comprehensive plan that matches your goals.

Call us today at (925) 208-4543 to learn more about our estate and probate services in Blackhawk.

What Is Estate Planning?

Estate planning is the process of creating a financial and medical plan for the future. It involves making important decisions about what happens to your property when you pass away, and it accounts for who can make decisions for you if you become incapacitated. 

Many believe that estate planning is just for the wealthy. This is a dangerous assumption. Technically, anyone who owns anything has an estate. Regardless of your means, you should plan for what will happen to your property. Estate planning is essential for protecting your loved ones and making sure the right people receive what they need and deserve.

Some of the most common estate planning documents include:

• Wills
• Trusts
• Power of attorney
• Advance health care directive

What Is Probate? 

Probate is the legal process where someone manages your property after you pass. During this process, the court gets involved. It proves the validity of your will. 

Then, someone takes the job of managing your estate. This person is called the “executor.” They can be court-appointed, or you can name them in your will.

The executor identifies and inventories your assets and property. They use your assets to pay off any of your leftover debts and taxes, and they distribute the remaining property to your beneficiaries. 

When someone dies without a will, the probate court distributes the assets and property according to California's intestate succession laws. This is a chain of relatives who automatically receive your property based on their closeness. For instance, your spouse and children have first priority, then your parents and siblings, and so on.

Some of the most common probate-related matters we handle include:

• Executor duties
• Probate process
• Avoiding probate
• Contested wills and trusts

Establishing a Trust in California

A trust is a financial entity that allows someone, called a “trustee,” to hold and manage assets on behalf of another party. Put simply, you can place your property into a trust, and the trust becomes the official owner of that property. The trust can live on after you die, continuing to grow your estate and provide for your loved ones well into the future.

The trustee must act in the best interests of the trust and its beneficiaries. They are legally obligated to follow the terms outlined in the trust agreement. 

Establishing a trust in California involves several important steps. To begin, must select your trustee. Next, you identify the beneficiaries and outline the terms of the trust. 

These terms include how and when they will receive their property. For example, you can wait until a minor turns 18 to give them their portion. You could also put your beneficiaries on a regular allowance rather than giving them all the assets at once. Your trust can even put stipulations on beneficiaries. For example, your trustee can have the power to cut someone off, or you could demand that beneficiaries hold regular employment to receive their share. 

Once you decide on the trust’s terms, you draft a trust document. We can help with this part, making sure the language is legally sound and in compliance with California law. Then, we can help make sure the trust is properly executed. 

After you establish your trust, make sure to review and update it periodically. You want to ensure that it consistently aligns with your current wishes and circumstances. Our team can help you update your trust as necessary.

Why Choose Feldman Law Group?

When you work with us, you can expect: 

• Cost-effective representation
• Strategic and effective legal solutions
• Convenient and flexible appointments
• Compassionate and personalized legal services
• Responsive communication and regular updates on your case

Complete Estate Planning Services

Our team is prepared to help with any issue concerning your estate, such as:

• Guardianships
• Asset protection
• Conservatorships
• Medi-Cal planning
• Estate tax planning
• Charitable planning
• Special needs trusts
• Trust administration
• Revocable living trusts
• And much more!

To meet with our estate planning team in Moraga, contact us online.