Trust & Wills Planning and Estate Administration

Delivering structured estate planning, trust management, and probate representation to ensure orderly asset distribution and legal compliance.

Living Trusts Estate Planning

Living Trusts & Estate Planning

Protect your assets and prepare for the future with a custom made estate plan, including a living trust, a will, a durable power of attorney, and advanced healthcare directive.

Learn More
Trust Administration

Trust Administration

Our office provides trust administration/settlement advice and services so that, as trustee, you can be comfortable that you are performing your duties.

Learn More
Probate

Probate

When a person dies without a trust and/or a will, his or her estate will need to be probated so that the assets can be distributed to his/her heirs. Our office can assist you...

Learn More

Why Do Estate Planning?

To control what happens to your property
  • Retain absolute control of your property throughout your lifetime
  • Apportion shares and making gifts to loved ones as you see fit
  • Keep your personal and financial information private
  • Maintain the ability to make changes in your estate plans at any time
To save money and preserve your estate
  • Avoid probate and attorneys’ fees
  • Take advantage of significant tax strategies and advantages
  • Avoid a “fire sale” of assets
  • Provide for grandchildren and saving money
To provide your family and heirs the convenience of clear, written instructions
  • Leave clear, written instructions of your wishes
  • Avoid probate inconveniences
  • Provide privacy for your family/heirs
  • Provide timely access to estate resources for your family/heirs

Do I Need a Trust?

In simple terms, if you own real estate or have children, you should probably have a living trust. Living trusts are designed to pass your assets on to your loved ones without the complications and expense of probate.

What Does it Cost?

There are two ways to purchase estate planning documents; in a complete set or by each individual document. The more cost effective way is to have your planning done all at one time. However, there are situations where a single specific document is needed immediately or client has already had some documents drafted. The pricing below details both full estate plan pricing and prices for the individual documents.

Why Do Estate Planning

Estate Planning Price List

Complete Estate Plans:

Estate Planning Package

(for an unmarried person)

$3,000 + Recording and Notary Fees

Estate Planning Package

(married couple)

$3,750 + Recording and Notary Fees

Estate Planning Price List:

  1. Two attorney consultations
  2. Revocable Living Trust
  3. Pour-Over Will(s)
  4. List of Trust Assets
  5. Trust Certification
  6. Durable Power of Attorney
  7. Advanced Healthcare Directive
  8. Assignment of Tangible Personal Property
  9. Nomination of Guardian for Minors
  10. Indexed Trust Portfolio
  11. Preparation of Trust Transfer Deed for 2 real properties +
    Preliminary Change of Ownership
Individual Estate Plan Documents Price
Basic Trust Package – Individual
(Trust and Pour-Over-Will)		 $2,500 + Notary fee
Basic Trust Package – Married Couple
(Trust and Pour-Over-Will)		 $3,000 + Notary fee
Stand Alone Will
(individual/married couple)		 $1,000/$1,500
Durable Power of Attorney $500 + Notary fee
Advanced Healthcare Directive $500 + Notary fee
Additional Provisions & Documents Price
Drafting and Recording Specialty Deeds $300 + Recording and Notary Fees
Drafting and Recording Additional Deeds
(concurrent with Trust Signing)		 $300 + Recording and Notary Fees
Amendments $500/hour + Notary Fee
Probate and/or Trust Administration $500 /hour

We pride ourselves on providing our clients with quality estate planning services at affordable prices, with great compassion and consideration for every specific situation.

We look forward to assisting you with all of your estate planning needs!

What is a living trust?

A living trust, also known as a revocable trust or inter vivos trust, is a legal document that allows you to transfer your assets into a trust during your lifetime. You can retain control over the assets and change the trust's terms or beneficiaries as needed.

Why would I create a living trust?
Who can create a living trust?
What assets can I put into a living trust?
Do I still need a will if I have a living trust?
Do I need an attorney to create a living trust?
What is Estate Planning?

Comprehensive Trust Administration Guidance

When a person establishes a trust they become known as the creator/trustor/grantor. After a trust is created, an administration process will occur either before or after the death of the grantor.

If a grantor becomes incapacitated or dies, the person they designated to be in charge of the trust (the designated trustee) will step in to manage the trust. Sometimes the designated trustee is a family member or friend, although it can also be a lawyer.

The tasks of trust administration may include:

  • Dealing with potential sub-trust funding
  • Sending required notices
  • Completing asset inventories
  • Transferring titles
  • Preparing accountings
  • Filing tax returns
  • Making distributions.

In the case that a family member or friend is the designated trustee, we advise and assist them with all the tasks and decisions. This can reduce additional stress related to administration tasks that can occur while they may be grieving.

When we represent you as the trustee of a trust, the attorney fees are paid by the trust itself. If you are a beneficiary of a trust, we are also happy to represent you and help you understand, protect, and fight for your interests in a trust; note that you will personally pay the legal fees in that case.

What is trust administration?

Trust administration is the process of managing and distributing the assets held in a trust according to the terms and instructions outlined in the trust document. This typically occurs after the trust creator (grantor) has died or become incapacitated.

Do all trusts require formal administration?
Who is responsible for trust administration?
What is the role of beneficiaries in trust administration?
How long does trust administration typically take?
Can a trustee be removed during trust administration?

What Is Probate And When Does It Occur?

Probate means that the probate court oversees the administration of a deceased person’s estate who had who had more than $208,850 in assets in his or her individual name and only had a will, or no will at all. The court that oversees the administration is the probate department of the Superior Court in the county where decedent resided or died owning property.

Probate proceedings will occur when a person dies (decedent) who:

  • Had more than $208,850 in assets in sole name
  • Did not have a trust
  • Had assets that were not properly transferred to a trust
  • And/or did not have jointly held assets or beneficiary designations on all assets

In these cases, probate proceedings will likely be necessary to distribute the decedent’s assets.

Not all court probate proceedings are long, drawn out affairs. There are simple proceedings that require only one petition filing and a court hearing.

A couple examples of simple petitions are spousal property petitions to transfer or confirm property to a surviving spouse, or Heggstad petitions to get a court order to transfer an item of property mistakenly not transferred to decedent's valid trust prior to death. If any particular probate petition or legal document is required, we have the experience to recognize this and prepare the correct legal document.

When a traditional, full probate court proceeding or administration is required to distribute decedent's assets, it generally takes at least a year to complete.

What Is The Probate Process?

If the person who passed away left a valid will, the court uses that will to determine how the estate should be distributed. If there is no will, California law determines who inherits the property.

During probate, the court oversees several important steps, including:

  • Identifying and valuing estate assets
  • Notifying heirs and beneficiaries
  • Providing notice to creditors
  • Paying valid debts and expenses
  • Addressing taxes and final financial matters
  • Distributing the remaining assets to beneficiaries

Because probate requires court filings and hearings, the process is often slower than trust administration. A full probate administration in California typically takes 12 months or longer.

Attorney fees for probate representation are set by California law and are based on the gross value of the estate. These fees are paid from the estate at the conclusion of the probate process, as provided under California Probate Code §10810.

We represent personal representatives (also known as executors or administrators) through every phase of probate and guide them through the process as efficiently and smoothly as possible.

If you are a beneficiary and need assistance protecting or understanding your rights, we also provide representation on an hourly basis.

What assets go through probate?

Assets that are solely owned by the deceased and do not have designated beneficiaries or joint owners usually go through probate. Common examples include real estate, bank accounts, and personal belongings.

What assets do not go through probate?
How long does probate take?
Is probate always necessary?
What happens if there is no will?

How much does probate cost?

Probate fees in California are set by statute under Probate Code §10810. Attorney fees are based on the gross value of the estate, not the net value after debts. The personal representative (executor or administrator) is entitled to receive the same statutory fee.

These statutory fees are separate from additional probate expenses, which may include court filing fees, publication costs, probate referee appraisals, bond premiums (if required), and other administrative costs.

Because fees are calculated on the gross estate value, probate can become costly — particularly when real property is involved.

The statutory fee schedule is as follows:
4% of the first $100,000
3% of the next $100,000
2% of the next $800,000
1% of the next $9,000,000
0.5% of the next $15,000,000