START YOUR ESTATE PLAN TODAY!

Estate planning is essential, yet often delayed. However, it’s never too early to start planning for the future. At Business Estate & Tax Attorneys, P.C., our experienced lawyers will guide you in making the right preparations to safeguard your legacy and secure your family’s future. A well-structured estate plan ensures that your wishes are honored, your assets are protected for future generations, and, most importantly, you gain peace of mind.

Why You Need an Estate Planning Attorney in California

At Business Estate & Tax Attorneys, P.C., we have years of experience helping individuals and families across California with estate planning, administration, litigation, tax, and business law. Our attorneys can help you develop a comprehensive estate plan tailored to your goals, ensuring your wishes are honored and your loved ones are protected.

Estate planning involves more than simply writing a will. There are numerous legal components to consider, and our skilled San Francisco estate planning attorneys will guide you through every step, including:

Ensuring your final wishes are legally sound. We draft detailed legal documents that clearly outline your desires for asset distribution, guardianship of your children, and final healthcare instructions.

Protecting your wealth and minimizing tax burdens. We help you explore strategies such as setting up and funding trusts to provide for your loved ones, support charitable causes, and reduce estate taxes.

Defining your healthcare preferences and appointing trusted caretakers. Our team will assist you in creating an advance healthcare directive and designating powers of attorney to ensure your medical and financial affairs are handled according to your wishes.

Preventing family disputes. A well-structured estate plan eliminates uncertainties, preventing legal battles and unnecessary stress for your loved ones.

If you’re ready to secure your legacy and protect your family’s future, contact Business Estate & Tax Attorneys, P.C. today for a consultation. We’re here to answer your questions and help you make informed decisions with confidence.

Creating an Advance Health Care Directive

You may be wondering what an Advance Health Care Directive is and how it differs from other legal documents, such as a living will. A living will outlines your medical treatment preferences in situations where you are unable to communicate, such as being unconscious or terminally ill. For example, you may specify that you do not wish to receive life-sustaining treatment in certain circumstances.

In California, the Advance Health Care Directive has replaced the living will as the recognized legal document for expressing medical care preferences. This directive provides comprehensive instructions regarding your health care decisions in the event you become incapacitated. It includes:

Power of Attorney for Health Care – This section allows you to appoint an agent to make medical decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so. Many people choose their spouse, but you can select any trusted adult. You may also designate alternate agents if your primary choice is unavailable.
Individual Instructions – You can outline specific medical preferences for certain situations, such as “do not resuscitate” (DNR) orders or other life-sustaining treatments. These instructions ensure that your wishes are clear and legally enforceable.

Learn More About Advance Health Care Directives

Designating Durable Power of Attorney

A durable power of attorney is a legal document that designates a trusted individual to make health care, financial, and other important decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated. This ensures that your affairs are managed smoothly without confusion or delays during critical moments.

For estate planning purposes, having a durable power of attorney in place is essential. It provides clear legal authority to someone you trust, allowing them to handle financial matters, medical decisions, and other essential responsibilities when you are unable to do so.

Our estate planning attorneys in Orinda can guide you through the process of establishing a durable power of attorney, ensuring your wishes are legally documented and your best interests are protected. Contact us today to get started.

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Protecting Your Assets with a Trust

Trusts are powerful estate planning tools that help ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes while protecting your family from the costly and time-consuming probate process. In California, probate can be particularly expensive, but establishing a trust allows you to avoid unnecessary legal hurdles, saving your loved ones both time and money. Additionally, probate is a public process, meaning your financial matters could become part of the public record. A trust, however, keeps your estate details private, ensuring that decisions remain solely between you, your family, and your attorneys.

Learn More About Trusts

Frequently Asked Questions

When you begin exploring estate planning, you’ll quickly realize that it involves much more than just drafting a will or completing a few online forms. Effective estate planning requires careful consideration of your goals and how you want to protect your legacy for the future. Our experienced estate planning attorneys are here to provide answers, offer guidance, and walk you through every step of the process. To help you get started, we’ve compiled answers to some of the most frequently asked questions:

No, hiring an attorney is not required to create a will in California. The state allows individuals to draft their own wills. However, consulting with an estate planning lawyer is highly recommended to prevent potential disputes, ensure your will is legally sound, and clearly communicate your final wishes.

As soon as possible. Life is unpredictable, and delaying your will, advance health care directive, and other estate planning documents can put your finances and family’s future at risk. Proper planning ensures your wishes are honored and spares your loved ones from making difficult decisions during challenging times.

In California, state laws determine how your assets are distributed if you pass away without a will. These laws outline specific rules depending on whether you have a spouse, children, or other surviving relatives. To ensure your assets are allocated according to your wishes, it’s essential to have a well-drafted will and comprehensive estate planning documents in place.

It’s wise to review your estate plan every few years to ensure it aligns with your current wishes. Additionally, significant life events—such as marriage, the birth of a child, or other major changes—should prompt an update to keep your plan accurate and effective.

Talk to an Estate Planning Attorney Now

Proper estate planning provides peace of mind by ensuring your future and your family’s security. By taking action now, you can:

Ensure your final wishes are honored.

Protect yourself and your finances.

Secure your family’s future, especially for your children.

Maximize the inheritance your children receive.

Keep your personal affairs private.

At Burrey Law Groups, our California estate planning attorneys are dedicated to creating a plan tailored to your unique needs. We take the time to review your options, explain the available legal tools, and develop the best strategy for you.

To learn more about our estate planning services, contact our office today for a consultation or schedule a Peace of Mind Planning Session. We look forward to helping you plan for the future with confidence.

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