Trusts

When preparing for the future, it involves more than just writing a will, a trust can offer greater control, flexibility, and privacy when managing your assets. Our trust preparation services help you protect what matters most, avoid probate, and ensure your wishes are carried out exactly as intended.
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Living Trust

The California Living Trust or Revocable Living Trust is a document that avoids probate and allows a Grantor (you) to specify how your assets and property should be managed during your lifetime and after your death.

Why would I need a Living Trust?

A Living Trust allows you to avoid probate of your assets/estate and offers privacy. You designate an individual or individuals in advance in the case you become incapacitated and administer your estate upon your death. Without a Living Trust your assets/estate are subject to probate which is the court process that can be very costly and take many months up to years depending on the complexity of the estate. The court oversees the paying of creditors and distribution of your assets.

Who should have a Living Trust?

There’s no specific dollar amount of assets for which a living trust becomes a good idea. In California, probate is expensive enough that the cost of setting up a Living Trust can be worthwhile.
Living Trust Form

Irrevocable Trust

An Irrevocable Trust is a powerful estate planning tool used to protect assets, reduce taxes, and preserve wealth for future generations. Unlike a revocable living trust, once an irrevocable trust is created and funded, the terms generally can’t be changed or undone without the consent of the beneficiaries and the court.

While that may sound restrictive, the tradeoff is greater asset protection, potential tax advantages, and long-term planning benefits.

How We Help

Irrevocable trusts are not for everyone and must be set up carefully to meet legal and tax requirements. We work with you to:

  • Identify whether an irrevocable trust is appropriate for your goals
  • Select the right type of trust (e.g., special needs, asset protection, life insurance trust)
  • Draft clear, legally sound documents
  • Coordinate funding of the trust (transferring assets properly)
  • Ensure it integrates smoothly with your overall estate plan
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We take the time to explain every step in plain language and ensure you feel confident in your decision.

Special Needs Trust

A Special Needs Trust (SNT) is a specialized legal arrangement designed to provide financial support to a person with a disability without affecting their eligibility for essential government benefits like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or MediCal/Medicaid.

An SNT is carefully structured to supplement—not replace—public assistance. It can be used to pay for a wide range of services and expenses not covered by those programs, such as out-of-pocket medical costs, therapies, education, transportation, housing needs, personal caregivers, and quality-of-life enhancements.

Who Can Set Up a Special Needs Trust?

Often, a parent, grandparent, spouse, sibling, or legal guardian will set up a Special Needs Trust to ensure that a loved one with a disability is cared for long after they are gone. This is a key part of long-term estate and care planning for families who want to:
  • Ensure a child or adult family member with special needs is financially protected and cared for
  • Leave an inheritance or life insurance proceeds without jeopardizing public benefits
  • Provide for a spouse who has become disabled and needs long-term support
  • Protect assets from being quickly spent down on care or administrative needs
In some cases, the individual with special needs may also have their own funds, such as from a legal settlement and can use those to fund their own trust with court approval.
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Families set up Special Needs Trusts because they want to:

  • Preserve public benefits while still providing additional financial support
  • Plan for the future, especially when they may not always be there to care for a loved one
  • Ensure proper management of assets for someone who may not be able to handle finances independently
  • Avoid family conflict by clearly defining financial intentions in a legally binding document

The Role of an Estate Planning Legal Specialist

Setting up a Special Needs Trust is not a DIY process. These trusts must comply with complex federal and state regulations. As certified Estate Planning Legal Specialists, we help families design trusts that meet legal requirements while honoring your values and protecting your loved one’s future.

Whether you're a parent planning for a child's lifelong care, a spouse supporting a partner, or a family member stepping up to help, We’ll guide you through every step, ensuring peace of mind and long-term security.

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Additional Information

Trust Administration

What Is Trust Administration?

Trust administration is the process of managing and distributing everything that’s in a trust after someone passes away. If you’ve been named as a trustee, you have an important job—making sure the wishes outlined in the trust are followed and everything is handled properly.
Even though a trust helps avoid probate and keeps things more private, there are still a number of legal steps to follow, including:
  • Letting the right people (like beneficiaries and heirs) know what’s going on
  • Taking stock of the assets in the trust, like bank accounts, real estate, or investments
  • Paying off any debts, taxes, or final expenses
  • Keeping the assets safe and well-managed
  • Making sure everything gets distributed according to the trust's instructions
It can feel overwhelming, especially during a time of grief but you don’t have to go through it alone. We help trustees navigate the entire process, step by step, making sure everything is done legally, correctly, and with as little stress as possible.
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Power of Attorney

What Is a Durable Power of Attorney?

A Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA) is a legal document that lets you choose someone you trust to handle your financial and legal affairs if you ever become unable to do so yourself.

Unlike a regular power of attorney, a durable one stays in effect even if you're incapacitated, due to illness, injury, or aging. It gives your chosen agent the authority to manage things like:

  • Paying bills and handling banking
  • Managing investments or property
  • Filing taxes
  • Dealing with insurance and government benefits
Without a DPOA in place, your family may have to go to court to get permission to act on your behalf, which can be stressful, expensive, and time-consuming.

Why You Need One

Life is unpredictable. A Durable Power of Attorney is one of the most important tools in your estate plan to ensure that someone you trust, not the court, can step in if something happens.

It's especially important if:

  • You’re aging or facing health concerns
  • You travel often or live part-time out of state
  • You want to avoid guardianship or conservatorship proceedings
  • You simply want to be prepared, just in case
We’ll help you put the right plan in place, so your finances stay protected no matter what life brings.

What Is a Healthcare Power of Attorney?

A Healthcare Power of Attorney lets you appoint someone you trust to make medical decisions on your behalf if you’re ever unable to speak for yourself. This person, your healthcare agent will work with your doctors to make sure your wishes about treatment and care are respected.

Having this document means your family won’t have to guess what you want during a medical emergency or serious illness, it's all clearly laid out ahead of time.

What Is an Advance Healthcare Directive?

An Advance Healthcare Directive (sometimes called a living will) complements your Healthcare Power of Attorney by specifying your preferences for life-sustaining treatments, pain management, and other critical care decisions.

Together, these documents ensure your healthcare choices are honored, no matter the situation.

Why You Need Them

Planning for your healthcare is just as important as planning your finances. These documents give you peace of mind that your wishes will be followed, and they protect your loved ones from difficult decisions during stressful times.

We’ll help you create these essential tools with compassion and clarity so you can feel confident in your plan.

Let Us Guide You Through All Your Estate Planning Needs.
Give us a call or send us an email today.

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