Estate Planning

It can be scary to think about your own mortality, but failing to address your estate plan can leave behind an even more frightening situation for your surviving loved ones when you pass away. Plus, there are many scenarios in which the proper tools provide benefits while you are still alive. With the help of our Sacramento estate planning team at the Law Office of Kristina M. Reed, you can take control over your future now.

Kristin Reed appreciates that your estate planning objectives are as unique as you and your family. After reviewing your circumstances, she can advise you on various estate planning tools available in California, including:

Contrary to popular belief, you do not need to be wealthy to have a will. Many Californians consider a will as a necessity when looking at the advantages, including:

Convenience: Through a will, you can name a person to handle your affairs and distribute assets after your passing. Going to probate court to have a judge appoint a personal administrator is time-consuming and expensive

Certainty: When you execute a will, you maintain control over who is entitled to receive your assets. Without a will, California state law will decide who gets what according to the laws of descendancy.

Dispute Avoidance: There is less fighting among your surviving loved ones over assets and over who will act as personal representative over your estate.

Beyond your will, there are additional tools that help you plan for events that may occur during your lifetime.

• Advance Health Care Directive: If you are unable to make decisions regarding your medical care, you can execute documents to fill in the void. Through a power of attorney, you can appoint an agent to work with providers on your medical needs and treatment. A living will allows you to state the types of medical treatment you do or do not want in designated situations.
• California General Durable Power of Attorney: This power of attorney relates to your real estate and personal property. You can appoint a person as your agent to manage your assets, essentially stepping into your shoes if you are incapacitated. The General Durable Power of Attorney helps you avoid going to probate court to have a person appointed to manage your affairs while you are still alive.

Generally, a trust involves a grantor who appoints a trustee to handle trust assets on behalf of beneficiaries. However, the specifics of trusts are much more complex and there are many different types of trust formations. With trusts and other advanced estate planning, it is critical to work with an attorney who is knowledgeable about the laws and benefits of creating such an arrangement.

For more information on estate planning options and how you can achieve specific goals through wills, trusts, and other tools, please contact the Law Office of Kristina M. Reed. You can reach our Sacramento, CA firm to schedule an estate planning consultation by calling 916-492-6033.