Estate Planning Attorney in Huntington Beach, CA

Every adult should have an estate plan. No matter how old you are or how much property you own, failure to plan can cause big problems for the people you leave behind–and sometimes for you. That’s where the one-size-fits-all answers end.

A solid estate plan is based on your values, your priorities, your financial situation, and the people and organizations you want to provide for. However, some estate lawyers try to fit everyone into a predetermined package of estate planning documents. When you’re ready to plan, you’ll want to choose a Huntington Beach estate planning lawyer who listens to you and builds a plan around what matters most to you.

Why Do I Need a Trust and Estate Plan?

Many people think they don’t need an estate plan because they’re young, or because they don’t yet have children, or because they believe their spouse will automatically inherit everything if they pass away. The reality is far more complicated. California’s law of intestate succession—the law that determines how property is distributed after death if you haven’t made provisions—is a complex formula that treats surviving spouses differently depending on what other close relatives survive the deceased.

It’s also important to note that estate planning is about more than who gets what after you pass away. An experienced estate planning lawyer in Huntington Beach can walk you through the other important considerations, such as who will make medical and financial decisions if you should become incapacitated.

Your Estate Plan Gives Your Family Peace of Mind

If you pass away or become incapacitated, the very last thing your family needs is internal conflict. If you haven’t made your wishes known, family members may strongly disagree on issues like medical decisions or who should be entrusted with managing your estate. Those disagreements can add to the stress your family experiences during an already painful time.

Fortunately, an experienced California estate lawyer can help you put a framework in place that spares your family the burden of hashing out those issues and ensures that your wishes are carried out.

Do I Need a Trust and Estate Attorney to Draft These Documents?

Estate planning documents are subject to strict technical requirements, meaning a small error in the way a power of attorney is drafted or a will is executed can invalidate the document. Some estate planning tools, like living trusts, are even more complicated. But that’s only part of the problem.

The larger reason to work with an experienced estate planning attorney in Huntington Beach is that most people aren’t aware of the many factors to be considered in estate planning. For example, imagine that you want to draft a simple will that leaves your entire estate to your three children in equal shares. You may be able to follow the instructions on a form or DIY website and accomplish that.

However, you may not think about what happens if your house makes up a significant portion of the estate. Will the home be transferred to your three children as co-owners, or will it be sold and the proceeds split? What if one child wants to keep the house, but the others want to sell? How will that play out if one child is also the executor, charged with making decisions about how property is distributed?

Or, you may have a child with special needs who is dependent on public benefits like Medicaid. If you don’t know that situation requires special planning, the inheritance you leave that child could disqualify them from coverage. An experienced estate planning attorney will ask the questions necessary to make sure you’re making fully informed decisions.

Consult a Huntington Beach Estate Planning Lawyer Today

When you meet with a Huntington Beach estate planning lawyer at Morgan Law Group, the first thing we’ll do is gather information. We know we can’t create the best possible estate plan for you until we understand your goals. Only then can we advise you on the best way to:

• Ensure that you get to make the big-picture decisions about your future healthcare and choose the person who will decide for you when you cannot
• Make sure your children are provided for, not just after you pass away but also if you become incapacitated while they are still minors
• Pass property to your loved ones and the causes you care about in a way that is most beneficial to them and minimizes tax consequences
• Put the right person in charge of administering your estate, living trust, or other type of trust

To learn more about how an experienced Huntington Beach estate lawyer at Morgan Law Group can help you gain the peace of mind that comes with planning for your future and your family, call 949-260-1400 right now, or fill out our contact form.