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  • A young married couple at a law office holding a binder that says 'Estate Planning Costs'.
    Estate Planning

    How Much Does Estate Planning Cost?

    BySteve Bliss September 27, 2025September 27, 2025

    In California, the cost of estate planning varies widely depending on the complexity of the estate, the documents needed, and whether an attorney is involved. For simple estates, individuals may be able to create basic wills or powers of attorney through online services or templates for as little as $200 to $500. While this is…

    Read More How Much Does Estate Planning Cost?Continue

  • a young married couple at a law office holding a binder that says 'my estate plan'.
    Estate Planning

    When Should You Start an Estate Plan?

    BySteve Bliss September 27, 2025September 27, 2025

    In California, the best time to start an estate plan is sooner rather than later. Many people mistakenly believe that estate planning is only necessary for the elderly or the wealthy, but the reality is that every adult can benefit from having a plan in place. Life is unpredictable, and without proper documentation, families may…

    Read More When Should You Start an Estate Plan?Continue

  • A middle aged married couple at a law office holding a binder that says 'Estate Planning Process'.
    Estate Planning

    Who should have an estate plan?

    BySteve Bliss September 27, 2025September 27, 2025

    In California, estate planning is often thought of as something only the wealthy need, but the truth is that almost every adult can benefit from having an estate plan. An estate plan is not just about distributing wealth; it is about protecting family, ensuring wishes are honored, and minimizing complications after death or incapacity. Whether…

    Read More Who should have an estate plan?Continue

  • a middle aged married couple at a law office holding a binder that says 'planning an estate'
    Estate Planning

    What is Estate Planning?

    BySteve Bliss September 27, 2025September 27, 2025

    In California, estate planning is the process of creating legal documents and strategies that determine how a person’s assets will be managed during their lifetime and distributed after death. It involves more than just writing a will—it includes preparing for incapacity, minimizing taxes, and protecting family wealth. Estate planning ensures that an individual’s wishes are…

    Read More What is Estate Planning?Continue

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  • Home
  • Estate Planning
    • Last Will & Testament
      • Wills
      • Testator
      • Naming the Testator
      • Domicile Requirement
      • Legal Capacity
      • Beneficiaries
      • Executor Duties
      • Guardianship
      • Assets
      • Debts & Taxes
      • Attestation
      • Codicils
      • Probate Issues
      • WIll Legal Requirements
    • Power of Attorney
      • General POA
      • Durable POA
      • Limited POA
      • Medical POA
      • Springing POA
      • Financial POA
      • Parties Involved
      • POA Legal Requirements
      • POA Scope & Limitations
      • POA Uses & Applications
      • POA Creation Process
      • POA – Revocation and Termination
      • POA Legal Protections and Risks
      • POA International Considerations
    • Advance Health Care Directives
      • The AHD
      • Legal Framework of AHD’s
      • Directive Types
      • Stakeholders
      • Scope of Medical Decisions
      • Ethical and Religious Considerations
      • Registration and Accessibility
      • Public Policy and Education
      • Related Legal Instruments
    • Estate Tax Planning
      • Tax Planning
      • Lifetime Gifting
      • Trust Structures
      • Valuation Strategies
      • Marital Deduction Planning
      • Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax
      • Charitable Planning
      • Life Insurance Strategies
      • Compliance & Reporting
      • International Considerations
    • Business Planning
      • Business Succession Planning
      • Legal Structures
      • Succession Planning – Trusts
      • Corporate Formations
      • Tax Implications
      • Valuation Discounts
  • Trusts
    • Revocable Living Trusts
    • Other Types
      • Blind Trusts
      • Bypass Trusts
      • Charitable Trusts
      • Irrevocable Trusts
      • Life Insurance Trust
      • Testamentary Trusts
      • Grantor Retained Annuity Trust
      • QTIP Trusts
      • Qualified Personal Residence Trust
      • Dynasty Trust
      • Generation-Skipping Trusts
    • Trust Administration
    • Trust Litigation
    • Legal Framework of Trusts
    • Key Participants
    • Funding and Assets
    • Common Pitfalls
  • Probate
    • Probate Petition
      • Probate Court
      • Notice of Petition
      • Probate Hearing
      • Letters Testamentary
      • Letters Administration
    • Probate Administration
      • Case Management
      • Final Distribution and Closing
      • Roles & Responsibilities
      • Probate Court System
      • Specific Considerations
    • Inventory & Appraisal
    • Types of Probate
      • Key Parties
      • Probate Assets
      • Non-Probate Assets
      • Governing Law
      • Fees & Costs
      • Tax Implications
    • Probate Litigation
      • Contesting a Will
      • Intestate Succession Conflicts
      • Creditor Claims Disputes
      • Omitted Heirs and Pretermitted Children
      • Fiduciary Misconduct
      • Trust Litigation in Probate
      • Beneficiary Rights and Remedies
      • Elder Financial Abuse
      • Procedural Considerations
      • Remedies & Outcomes
      • Governing Legal Authorities
      • Jurisdictional and Venue Issues
    • Creditor Claims
    • Final Accounting
    • Final Distribution
    • Closing the Estate
    • Alternatives to Probate
  • Bankruptcy
    • Chapter 7
      • Credit Counseling
      • Means Test
      • Meeting of Creditors
      • Liquidation of Assets
      • Exemptions
      • Secured vs. Unsecured Debts
      • Student Loans and Taxes
      • Required Forms and Paperwork
    • Chapter 13 vs. Chapter 7
    • Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
      • Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Process
      • Ch. 13 Debt Plan
      • Mortgage Arrearages
    • Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
      • Chapter 11 for Individuals
      • Subchapter V
      • Bankruptcy Process and Timeline
      • Business Reorganization and Operations
      • Debtor-in-Possession
      • What Happens After Chapter 11
      • Lien Stripping and Cramdowns
      • Trustee and Creditors’ Committee
      • Lawsuits & Defense
    • Bankruptcy Fees
    • Client Profile
  • About Us
    • Clients Served
      • Individuals
      • Families
      • High Net Worth Clients
      • Professionals & Executives
      • LGBTQ+ Clients
      • Immigrant Clients
      • Complex Assets
  • Contact