Estate Planning

Good estate planning is more than just a simple will. Estate planning minimizes potential taxes and fees, such as the transferring of assets at the lowest possible Federal and State gift and estate tax rates, and sets up contingency planning to make sure wishes regarding health care treatment are followed before and after death.

A good estate plan also coordinates what happens to a home, investments, business, life insurance, employee benefits (such as a 401K plan) and other property in the event of disability or death.

Estate tax and other estate related issues are hot legislative items, with new laws being passed on a regular basis. A competent and experienced estate planning lawyer is critical to assuring that your unique estate planning goals are understood and carried out.

When a person becomes incapacitated, the government or the court often steps in and appoints someone to represent and make legal decisions for the incapacitated person.

One of the ways to avoid government or court intervention, and the appointment of a stranger to act as your guardian, is to use a Power of Attorney. A Power of Attorney is a written document stating that one person gives to another the full or limited power and authority to represent him or her. There are two types of Power of Attorneys: one covering assets, and one covering health care decisions.

We have structured Estate Plans for local families throughout the Bay Area. These plans, which incorporate Wills and Trusts, are designed to help our clients avoid unnecessary and expensive court proceedings.