Estate Planning
What is Estate Planning?
“I want to control my property while I'm alive, take care of me and my loved ones if I become disabled, and give what I have, to whom I want, the way I want, and when I want. Furthermore, if I can, I want to save every last tax dollar, professional fee, and court cost legally possible.”
Our Products
Inheritance disputes are one of the leading cause of family conflict, often resulting in damaged relationships and long-lasting resentment.
Ensure your legacy with our comprehensive estate planning services. From trusts to wills, we've got your future secured.
Revocable Living Trusts
We help you create revocable living trusts to manage your assets during your lifetime and provide for an efficient transfer to your beneficiaries after your passing, minimizing probate and providing privacy.
Wills
We draft comprehensive wills that clearly outline your wishes regarding asset distribution, guardianship of minor children, and other important matters to ensure your legacy is preserved.
Medical Powers of Attorney & Advanced Directives
We prepare medical powers of attorney and advanced directives, allowing you to appoint trusted individuals to make healthcare decisions on your behalf and specify your healthcare preferences in advance.
Financial Powers of Attorney
We assist in creating financial powers of attorney, enabling you to designate someone you trust to handle your financial matters if you become incapacitated.
Protective Provisions for Minor Children
We ensure your minor children are protected by including specific provisions in your estate plan, such as appointing guardians and establishing trusts to manage their inheritance until they reach adulthood.
Asset Transfers (Trust Funding)
We guide you through the process of transferring assets into your trust (trust funding) to ensure your estate plan is fully effective and your assets are properly managed and protected.
Revocable Living Trust vs Will
Trusts
Revocable Living Trusts: Your Path to Control and Peace of Mind
A revocable living trust is a flexible estate planning tool that empowers you to retain control over your assets while simplifying their distribution upon your passing. Unlike a will, a revocable living trust allows you to manage, modify, or revoke it during your lifetime. This means you can adapt your trust to changing circumstances.
Key Benefits:
1. Privacy: Avoid the public probate process. Trust details remain private.
2. Probate Avoidance: Assets placed in the trust skip probate, saving time and costs.
3. Asset Management: Maintain control over assets even if you become incapacitated.
4. Flexibility: Revise the trust as needed to accommodate life changes.
5. Efficient Distribution: Assets are smoothly transferred to beneficiaries according to your wishes.
Secure your assets and simplify your estate planning with a revocable living trust. Contact us to explore how this powerful tool can work for you.
Wills
Wills: Your Blueprint for Legacy and Peace of Mind
A will, also known as a last will and testament, is a foundational document in estate planning that ensures your final wishes are carried out as you intend. It's a vital tool for protecting your family's future and providing clarity in challenging times.
Key Benefits:
1. Asset Distribution: Specify how your assets should be distributed among beneficiaries.
2. Guardianship: Designate guardians for your minor children, ensuring their well-being.
3. Executor Appointment: Choose a trusted individual to manage your estate and fulfill your wishes.
4. Debt Settlement: Address outstanding debts and financial obligations.
5. Peace of Mind: Provide clarity and minimize disputes among loved ones.
Creating a will is a crucial step toward securing your legacy and protecting your loved ones. Contact us to get started on this essential document, and gain peace of mind knowing your wishes will be honored.
Pros of Revocable Living Trusts:
1. Probate Avoidance: Assets placed in a trust generally bypass probate, saving time and money in the distribution process.
2. Privacy: Trusts are typically private documents, unlike wills, which become part of the public record during probate.
3. Asset Management: Allows for the continued management of assets, even in the event of your incapacity.
4. Flexibility: You can modify or revoke a revocable living trust during your lifetime to adapt to changing circumstances or preferences.
5. Smooth Transition: Assets are efficiently transferred to beneficiaries according to the terms of the trust, reducing the potential for disputes.
Cons of Revocable Living Trusts:
1. Complexity: Setting up and maintaining a trust can be more complex and may involve higher initial costs than creating a will. We do this for you!
2. Ongoing Management: Trusts require ongoing management, including funding and monitoring, which some individuals may find burdensome.
3. Costs: Initial setup and legal fees associated with trusts can be higher compared to drafting a will.
Pros of Wills:
1. Simplicity: Wills are relatively simple to create, making them accessible for a wide range of individuals.
2. Cost-Effective: Typically, the cost of creating a will is lower than that of establishing a trust.
3. Clear Instructions: Wills allow you to provide straightforward instructions for asset distribution and other important matters.
4. Guardianship: You can appoint guardians for minor children, ensuring their care in case of your passing.
Cons of Wills:
1. Probate: Wills must go through the probate process, which can be time-consuming and costly, potentially delaying asset distribution.
2. Public Record: Wills become part of the public record during probate, leading to potential privacy concerns.
3. Limited Asset Control: Wills offer limited control over assets after your passing and may not provide the same level of flexibility as trusts.
4. Incapacity Planning: Wills do not address asset management in case of your incapacity; you may need additional documents like a power of attorney.
Contact Us:
Phone & Text: (310) 800-1961
Fax: (310) 759-7995
Email: info@brentwoodlaw.org
Instagram: @BrentwoodLaw
Office: 12100 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 800 | Los Angeles, CA 90025
Mailing: P.O. Box 49355, Los Angeles, CA 90049