Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Administration

Estate Planning:

In a Durable Power of Attorney for Finances, you appoint a person(s) to manage your finances and estate if you are medically unable to do so.

In an Advance Health Care Directive, you appoint a person(s) to make medical decisions for you if you are unable do to so.

In a Last Will and Testament, you nominate a person(s) to serve as the executor of your estate and designate beneficiaries of your estate.

In a Revocable Living Trust, you can appoint a person(s) to serve as the trustee of your estate. You can also designate the beneficiaries of your estate and determine when they should receive your assets

What is Probate:

Probate is the court-supervised process developed under California law which has as its goal the transfer of your assets at your death to the beneficiaries set forth in your Will, and in the manner prescribed by your Will. If you do not have a Will, your assets will be distributed in accordance with the Probate Code.

Probate also provides for the determination of valid claims of any creditors who have claims against your assets at your death.

What is Trust Administration:

Trust Administration is the management of the assets that exist in within a trust. A trust is created when an individual (known as the settlor) places their assets into the care of a trustee for the benefit of someone else (also known as the beneficiary of the trust).