Van Nuys, CA Estate Planning Lawyer

Estate Planning Can Be Overwhelming, But We Simplify The Process! Book Your Free Consultation Today.

If you haven’t taken the time to create a comprehensive estate plan, your wealth and those you love are largely left without protection. If you don’t make the important decisions about your future – like what happens to your assets and which individuals are authorized to manage your estate – then you are essentially agreeing to let the state of California decide, which may or may not align with your wishes. 

Our Van Nuys estate planning lawyer takes the time to get to know you, your unique family dynamic, and your financial circumstances so that we can help you accomplish your goals! We know estate planning can be emotionally and legally taxing, but we walk you step-by-step through the process with compassion and patience, ensuring you are fully confident moving forward, no matter what the future holds. 

Call Hayes Law Firm today to schedule your free consultation and learn more about how we can meet your estate planning needs. 

Why Should I Have An Estate Plan?

As already stated, when you don’t create your own plan for the future, you lose much of the control over what happens to what you own when something happens to you. An estate plan empowers you to take control of your future, protect your loved ones, and leave behind a meaningful legacy. 

Our Van Nuys estate planning lawyer helps you design a plan that is tailored to your life, family, and financial situation, and…

• Specifies how your assets will be distributed to loved ones, avoiding disputes or confusion.
• Minimizes delays and expenses by keeping your estate out of the probate process.
• Appoints guardians to care for your children in the event of your passing.
• Creates trusts to ensure financial support for family members, including children with special needs or elderly parents.
• Implements strategies to reduce estate, gift, and income taxes, preserving more wealth for your beneficiaries.
• Designates power of attorney and healthcare proxies to make decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated.
• Establishes a succession plan for business ownership and management.
• Outlines your wishes for medical treatment through advance directives or a living will.
• Leaves a legacy by including donations to charities or causes you care about.
• Clearly outlines your intentions to prevent misunderstandings or legal disputes among family members.
• Manages online accounts, passwords, and digital assets to ensure they are handled according to your wishes.
• Establishes trusts or allocate funds to ensure your spouse is supported after your passing.
• Communicates your funeral, burial, or other end-of-life wishes to reduce stress for your family during an emotional time.
• Keeps details of your estate and beneficiaries private, avoiding the public disclosure that comes with probate. 

What Does An Estate Plan Entail?

Estate plans are highly customizable, so you might not need some components that other families need. However, our Van Nuys estate planning lawyer typically recommends that clients have the following tools in their estate plan:

A will – a legal document that outlines how a person’s assets, property, and personal belongings should be distributed after their death.

A trust – a financial entity to which you transfer your assets to be managed for the benefit of your beneficiaries during your lifetime, and distributed to them following your death

A living will – also known as an advance directive, this document spells out your preferences when it comes to certain medical care, particularly end-of-life care 

Power of attorney – a document that authorizes certain individuals to make legal, medical, or financial decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated and unable to do so yourself (typically close relatives)

Guardianship designation – a document specifying the individual(s) you want to become your minor children’s guardian in the event that you pass away or become incapacitated

Special Needs Trust – a specific type of trust that allows you to leave behind funds for a dependent or other loved one with special needs without interfering with their eligibility for government benefits

Business succession plan – if you own a business, this tool prepares it for a smooth transition to the next owner/operator without stalling productivity

And more!

Why Choose Our Van Nuys Estate Planning Lawyer?

The Hayes Law Firm offers many additional benefits to our clients, on top of our thorough and professional service, including:

• FREE living trust identification cards that serve as a helpful, on-the-spot reference whenever you purchase new investments, open a new account or conduct a transaction for your trust
• FREE unlimited telephone support to answer your questions or help you with your trust
• FREE My Legacy workbooks to complete and share with your families
• FREE client seminars to educate you on various estate planning topics
• FREE regular legacy and estate plan checkups to ensure your documents reflect your most up-to-date wishes
• And more!

Book your free consultation and learn more about your options and how our Van Nuys estate planning lawyer can assist you. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Estate Planning In Van Nuys, CA

What is the difference between having a will and having a trust?

A will is a legal document that describes how your assets should be distributed in the event of death. Assets in a living trust are removed from your estate to help you preserve and increase your estate while you’re alive, offering protection should you become mentally disabled. A trust can also avoid probate. Wills and trusts serve distinct – but important – purposes. 

The possibility of a disabling injury or illness scares me. What would happen if I were mentally disabled and had no estate plan or just a Will?

You would face “living probate,” where the court appoints someone to manage your assets and affairs if you become mentally incapacitated. This process is costly, time-consuming, and often invasive, requiring strict financial reporting to the court.This is why it’s important to work with our Van Nuys estate planning lawyer to ensure a living will is included in your estate plan.

What if I want to make changes to my estate plan later on in my life?

You always have the right to make changes to your estate plan. In fact, it’s recommended that everyone reviews and updates their estate plan at least once every three years.