Orange County’s Top Rated Estate Planning & Elder Law Firm

Plan Ahead to Protect Your Assets & Loved Ones

It’s time to reframe your approach to estate planning if you want to take control of your life.  There is more to Estate Planning than morbid thoughts of death. It is just as much life planning as it is planning for when you’re gone. Life planning includes planning for retirement, insurance, illness, disability, raising kids, kids going to college, and other planning.

No one can predict the future, but one thing is for sure: Leaving unanswered questions about how to settle our affairs could make life for those we love even harder. So answering questions now and putting them into an estate plan is a crucial step that should not be delayed.

What Exactly Is An Estate Plan?

An estate plan is a collection of documents that specify how you want your money and other assets distributed, making it easier for your loved ones to handle your affairs during a time of grief.

Additionally, An Estate Plan Can:

• In the event of your incapacitation, appoint someone you trust to make decisions for you.
• In the event that you are unable to care for your minor children, specify who will do so.
• Minimize estate taxes and other transfer taxes.
• Assist you with the process of probate, the court-supervised process by which your estate is valued, debts are settled, taxes are paid, and assets are transferred to family members.

Who Needs An Estate Plan?

Everyone should have one. When you’re young and single, you may only need a few relatively simple documents, such as a will, beneficiary designations, and medical and financial powers of attorney. If you have children, you must have a will so you can name a guardian. If you have substantial wealth, you may need one or more trusts to help control how your assets are taxed, managed, and distributed.

Is Your Estate Plan Already In Place?

That’s great. Make sure you review your plan regularly and update it as your circumstances change, so it continues to reflect your intentions.

The Process & Key Components of A California Estate Plan

A complete California Estate Plan is a highly customized set of documents that generally include a Living Trust, a Pour-Over Will, Durable Powers of Attorney for Property and Healthcare, a “HIPAA” authorization, a Living Will/Advance Healthcare Directive, Deeds to your properties, beneficiary designations on your life insurance, annuities, IRAs, 401(k)s, guardianship nominations for minor children and incapacitated dependents, and more.

You must sign and archive these documents so that they will be accessible when you die or become incapacitated. Most of these will be specially drafted for your unique circumstances, but some will be standard California estate planning forms. After the documents are signed, the Living Trust must be funded, and forms must be updated at your financial institutions.

The following are included in your estate plan:

• The Trust document
• A Pour-Over Will (used for assets not placed in the trust)
• A Durable power of attorney for asset management
• A Durable power of attorney for health care decisions
• A Nomination of Guardian for minor children (assuming there are minor children)

Take Control Of Your Future With Customized Estate Planning Services in Newport Beach

From Newport Beach To San Diego, Serving Clients Across Southern California

An estate plan is a roadmap for the future. We offer 30+ years of experience, guidance, and resources to help you protect your personal interests, your loved ones, and your legacy. No other law firm in Southern California has the knowledge and experience relating to estate planning, special needs planning, probate, conservatorships, business succession planning, tax planning, and trust administration as our lawyers and paralegal staff. We are truly Southern California’s premier estate planning, elder and tax law firm.

Sandoval Legacy Group is a top-rated estate planning and probate law firm serving clients in Orange County area and throughout Southern California. You can expect honest, professional and reliable customer service suited to fit your individual or family needs.

In addition to beautiful Newport Beach location, we also offer legal services in San Diego, San Bernardino and Los Angeles Counties.

In Addition To Estate Planning, Our Attorneys Specialize the Following Practice Areas

• Probate
• Asset Protection Planning
• Business Succession Planning
• Elder Law
• Will and Trust
• Long-Term Medi-Cal Planning
• Conservatorships
• Special Needs Planning
• Strategic Tax Planning
• Estate Planning