A Last Will and Testament is a foundational estate planning document that outlines how you want your property, personal belongings, and guardianship decisions handled after you die. For residents of Bellflower, California, having a clear will helps reduce uncertainty for family members and can streamline the distribution of assets through the probate process. This page explains what a will does, how it interacts with other estate planning tools like trusts and powers of attorney, and why placing thoughtful provisions in a will matters for protecting family relationships, minor children, and specific bequests to loved ones and charitable causes.
This guide is written for Bellflower families and individuals who want straightforward information about preparing a Last Will and Testament in California. It covers typical elements included in a will, common questions about validity and witnesses, and how a will works with other documents such as a revocable living trust or health care directive. Whether you are creating your first will or reviewing an existing document, these sections will help you understand options for naming an executor, assigning beneficiaries, and planning for people with special needs or unique family situations in a way that aims to reduce later disputes and confusion.
A Last Will and Testament provides clear instructions for distributing your estate, appointing guardians for minor children, and naming an executor to carry out your wishes. In California, a properly executed will can help family members avoid disputes over intangible and tangible assets, ensure property passes to intended beneficiaries, and provide specific directions for sentimental items. Additionally, including certain provisions in a will can simplify the probate process by clarifying debts, final expenses, and bequests. While a will does not avoid probate in every case, thoughtful planning can reduce stress for survivors and promote orderly transfer of assets according to your priorities and values.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman serve California clients with practical estate planning solutions tailored to family needs, including drafting Last Wills and Testaments and preparing related documents such as trusts, powers of attorney, and health care directives. Our approach focuses on clear communication, careful review of family circumstances, and preparing documents that reflect clients’ intentions while complying with California legal requirements. We work to explain options for minimizing probate, protecting minor children, and coordinating wills with other estate planning tools so families have balanced plans that address succession, guardianship nominations, and specific bequests.
A Last Will and Testament is a written declaration that becomes effective upon death and directs how assets should be distributed, who should administer the estate, and who will care for minor children. In California, a will must meet statutory requirements for execution, including signature and witness rules, to be recognized by probate courts. The will can be revoked or amended during the testator’s lifetime through a new will or codicil. It is important to evaluate how a will interacts with jointly held property, beneficiary designations, and trust instruments to achieve the intended transfer of assets at death.
While a will provides instructions for distributing assets, certain property passes outside of a will by operation of law, including assets with designated beneficiaries or jointly owned property with rights of survivorship. Therefore, preparing a will should be part of a broader estate plan that considers retirement accounts, life insurance policies, trust arrangements, and advance directives. A well-coordinated plan ensures that beneficiary designations and account titling reflect current intentions and that the will complements rather than conflicts with other transfer mechanisms, reducing the likelihood of unintended results or extended probate proceedings.
A Last Will and Testament is a legal document in which an individual, the testator, states how their property should be distributed after death, names an executor to handle estate administration, and can appoint guardians for minor children. The will can include specific bequests, residuary clauses that deal with remaining assets, and funeral or burial preferences. Because certain assets bypass the will, it primarily governs property that is solely owned by the testator and not already designated to pass by beneficiary designation or joint tenancy. Proper drafting ensures that the will reflects current intentions and complies with California formalities to be effective during probate.
Key elements of a Last Will and Testament include identifying the testator, listing beneficiaries, specifying bequests, naming an executor, and including guardianship nominations for minors if needed. The probate process is the court-supervised procedure to validate the will, settle debts and taxes, and distribute remaining assets according to the will’s terms. Executors have duties to inventory assets, notify creditors, and follow court timelines. Understanding these elements and how probate operates in California helps individuals design wills that minimize delays and assist family members in carrying out final wishes with clarity and legal authority.
This section explains frequently used terms in estate planning and probate to help demystify the process. Familiarity with these words makes it easier to understand estate documents, communicate wishes, and recognize responsibilities after someone dies. The glossary covers roles like executor and trustee, legal concepts such as intestacy and residuary estate, and procedures used in California courts. Clear definitions help families make informed choices about wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and guardianship nominations so that documents work together to meet the client’s objectives and protect beneficiaries.
An executor is the person named in a will to manage estate administration after a testator’s death and to carry out the directions set forth in the will. Duties commonly include filing the will with the probate court, managing and safeguarding assets, paying debts and taxes, notifying beneficiaries, and distributing remaining property according to the will’s terms. The executor functions under court supervision in California probate cases and must act in the estate’s and beneficiaries’ best interests, following fiduciary responsibilities and keeping accurate records of all transactions during administration.
Probate is the legal process through which a court validates a will and supervises the administration of a decedent’s estate. During probate, the court confirms the executor’s authority, ensures creditors are properly notified and paid, resolves disputes about the will’s validity, and ultimately oversees distribution of assets to beneficiaries. The length and complexity of probate vary depending on the estate’s assets, creditor claims, and family situations. Proper planning can limit the scope of probate or address ways to transfer property outside probate to simplify administration for heirs.
A beneficiary is an individual, organization, or other entity designated to receive assets or benefits from a will, trust, insurance policy, or retirement account. Beneficiaries may be named for specific items, monetary gifts, or a share of the residuary estate. It is important to keep beneficiary designations current and consistent with testamentary documents because assets with named beneficiaries often pass outside the will. Regular reviews of beneficiary listings help prevent unintended disinheritance or conflicts among heirs and ensure distributions align with the testator’s current wishes.
A guardianship nomination in a will names the person or persons you prefer to care for your minor children if both parents are deceased or unable to act. This nomination guides the court’s decision, though the court will ultimately approve a guardian based on the child’s best interests. Including clear guardianship nominations and related instructions in a will can provide family members with direction during an emotional time, helping ensure that minors are placed with people the parent trusts and that the transition of care considers schooling, religious upbringing, and other important aspects of daily life.
Choosing between a will and other estate planning tools depends on goals such as avoiding probate, maintaining privacy, addressing special needs, or minimizing administration costs. A will is often the simplest way to state final wishes and appoint guardians, but it usually requires probate to transfer assets solely titled in the decedent’s name. A revocable living trust can move assets outside probate and provide ongoing management during incapacity, while beneficiary designations transfer specific accounts directly. Understanding the benefits and limits of each option enables individuals to select a combination of documents that reflects their priorities and family circumstances.
A straightforward will may be sufficient when an individual has a modest estate, clear beneficiaries, and assets that pass outside of probate by beneficiary designation or joint ownership. In such situations, a will that names an executor, specifies bequests, and designates guardians for minor children can provide the necessary legal framework without the complexity of a trust. This approach can be cost-effective and easier to maintain for people who do not own significant real estate or complex assets and who seek to leave simple, direct instructions for close family members.
If there is no expectation that assets will require long-term management for beneficiaries, or if heirs are able to manage their inheritance without court oversight, a basic will can address distribution and guardianship without the need for trust administration. This can suit households where beneficiaries are adults capable of handling inherited property and where the primary goals are straightforward division of assets and appointment of a personal representative. Regular review helps maintain the will’s relevance as family circumstances and asset ownership evolve over time.
A comprehensive estate plan is often recommended when there are complex assets, multiple properties in different states, business interests, or concerns about privacy and probate costs. Trust-based planning can allow property to transfer without public probate proceedings, protect beneficiaries who may need assistance managing funds, and provide continuity in asset management if incapacity occurs. Comprehensive planning considers tax implications, potential creditor claims, and family dynamics to craft documents that coordinate beneficiary designations, account titling, and trust terms to meet long-term goals.
When beneficiaries include minors, individuals with disabilities, or those who may not be prepared to manage large inheritances, a comprehensive plan using trusts can provide structured distributions, federally compliant provisions for government benefits, and appointed fiduciaries to manage assets on behalf of beneficiaries. Trusts like special needs trusts or retirement plan trusts can preserve access to public benefits while providing financial support. Thoughtful planning addresses these sensitive situations by creating safeguards, timelines, and oversight mechanisms that protect beneficiaries’ long-term interests.
A coordinated approach that combines a Last Will and Testament with complementary documents such as a revocable living trust, powers of attorney, and health care directives can provide flexibility, continuity of decision-making during incapacity, and clearer paths for asset distribution at death. Such planning can reduce the risk of inconsistent beneficiary designations, simplify probate or avoid it for many assets, and create arrangements suited to the family’s dynamics and financial goals. This method helps align different documents so each plays its role without unintended overlap or conflicts.
By integrating wills with trust instruments and beneficiary designations, an estate plan can preserve privacy, appoint capable fiduciaries for various responsibilities, and set durable instructions for long-term financial management. A comprehensive plan also makes it easier to update provisions as life events occur, such as births, deaths, marriages, or changes in financial circumstances. Maintaining coordinated and current documents helps reduce family disagreements and expedites the transfer of assets according to the testator’s intentions, providing clearer outcomes for loved ones after death.
A comprehensive estate plan allows for specific instructions on when and how beneficiaries receive assets, such as staged distributions, conditions for disbursement, or protections when beneficiaries are young or face special needs. Trust provisions can set parameters that ensure funds are used for education, health care, or support while preventing premature depletion through open-ended inheritance. These tailored arrangements provide peace of mind that assets will be managed according to the testator’s values and intended purposes, which can be especially important in blended families or where beneficiaries have differing levels of financial experience.
Using trusts and coordinated beneficiary designations can minimize the assets subject to probate, leading to less court supervision and preserving privacy about the estate’s contents and distribution. Reduced court involvement often speeds the settlement process and can lower some administrative costs associated with public probate. Privacy considerations are important for families who prefer to keep details of asset distribution confidential and who wish to limit public scrutiny of financial affairs and the identities of heirs and beneficiaries.
Review and update beneficiary designations on accounts and life insurance whenever major life events occur such as marriage, divorce, birth of a child, or a move. Beneficiary listings on retirement accounts and insurance policies often take precedence over wills, so inconsistencies can lead to outcomes that differ from your will’s directions. Periodic checks ensure that named beneficiaries reflect current intentions and that account titling supports the broader estate plan. Keeping records organized and sharing beneficiary information with a trusted individual helps ease administration later.
Make sure your will works in harmony with other estate planning documents, such as revocable living trusts, powers of attorney, and health care directives. A coordinated review prevents conflicting instructions and ensures that assets titled in trust or with beneficiary designations are aligned with your overall objectives. Updating documents after life changes helps maintain consistency and reduces the risk of unintended distributions. Regular reviews every few years or after significant events help keep the estate plan functioning as intended and provide clarity for those who will administer the estate.
Preparing a Last Will and Testament can provide immediate clarity about who will inherit property, who will manage estate administration, and who will care for minor children. Residents often choose to create a will to ensure that sentimental items go to chosen family members, to reduce uncertainty over asset division, and to name an executor who will oversee bills, taxes, and final distributions. A properly prepared will becomes a legal tool that helps families follow the deceased’s intentions rather than leaving decisions solely to intestacy rules, which may produce outcomes different from personal wishes.
Other reasons to prepare a will include designating guardianship for minors, providing for pets, and setting up legacy gifts to charities or community organizations. Even for smaller estates, a will can streamline the process of settling affairs and protect against disputes among heirs. Preparing a will also creates an opportunity to pair it with powers of attorney and health care directives to ensure continuity of decision-making during incapacity. Regular review of the will keeps it aligned with changing family dynamics and financial circumstances to maintain its effectiveness.
Many life events prompt people to prepare or update a will, including marriage, divorce, the birth or adoption of a child, acquisition of significant assets, or the death of a previously named beneficiary or executor. Moving to a new state, starting a business, or receiving an inheritance can also change planning needs. These circumstances create a need to reassess distribution plans, guardianship nominations, and beneficiary designations to ensure documents reflect current intentions and protect the interests of heirs and dependents under California law.
Entering into marriage or a registered domestic partnership typically warrants revisiting estate documents to confirm how the new relationship affects wills and beneficiary designations. Spouses and partners may want to provide for one another while also addressing prior obligations such as children from previous relationships. Updating a will after marriage helps make sure property passes according to current wishes, clarifies guardian nominations, and aligns account beneficiary designations to prevent unintended disinheritance or conflicts upon death.
The arrival of a child often prompts immediate estate planning updates, including naming guardians in a will and creating financial arrangements to support the child’s future. A will can direct how assets will be used for the child’s care and provide instructions for trustees or fiduciaries who may manage funds on the child’s behalf. Parents should review beneficiary designations and consider complementary documents such as trusts or custodial accounts to ensure the child’s needs are addressed in a consistent, well-ordered plan.
Large changes in assets, such as acquiring real estate, selling a business, or receiving an inheritance, can create a need to update or draft a will to reflect the new asset structure and distribution goals. Changes in family composition, like separation, divorce, or the death of a family member, also alter planning priorities. Keeping a will current after such events reduces uncertainty and potential legal disputes by ensuring that the document accurately records the testator’s intentions and the appropriate beneficiaries are identified.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman assist Bellflower residents with preparing Last Wills and coordinating them with other estate planning documents such as revocable living trusts, powers of attorney, and health care directives. We help clients identify appropriate beneficiaries, nominate guardians for minor children, and ensure that documents reflect California legal requirements. Our goal is to provide practical guidance so that families have clear, legally effective plans that reduce uncertainty and provide directions for administering affairs according to the testator’s wishes after death.
Clients work with the Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman because the firm focuses on clear, personalized estate planning that addresses both immediate and long-term family needs, including the drafting of Last Wills and testaments. We assist with coordinating wills and trust documents, advise on guardianship nominations, and help clients understand how beneficiary designations and account titling affect estate outcomes. By listening to family circumstances and documenting intentions carefully, the firm aims to reduce the likelihood of disputes and to produce practical documents that serve the client’s objectives after death.
The firm is attentive to California procedural requirements for executing a valid will and the duties associated with estate administration. We help clients prepare documents that fit their particular family structure, whether that includes blended families, children with special needs, or business ownership. Clients receive clear explanations of how different instruments such as trusts and powers of attorney interact with a will, helping them select a coordinated strategy that aligns with their priorities and provides continuity in decision-making if incapacity occurs.
We also assist with updating and reviewing existing estate plans to reflect life changes like marriage, divorce, births, deaths, and significant changes in assets, ensuring documents remain effective and consistent. With practical guidance and thorough document preparation, our intent is to help clients leave deliberate instructions for distribution, appoint reliable fiduciaries, and provide for dependents so that their families have a clearer pathway for settling affairs and preserving family wishes after death.
Our process begins with a discussion of family circumstances, asset inventory, and the client’s goals for distribution and guardianship. We then draft documents tailored to those goals, coordinate beneficiary designations and titling, and explain execution requirements to ensure validity under California law. After document signing, we provide instructions for safekeeping and suggested steps for sharing essential information with named fiduciaries. If probate or court filings become necessary, we assist the personal representative through each step with clear guidance and required documentation.
During the initial meeting we collect detailed information about assets, family relationships, and the client’s wishes for distribution and guardianship. This includes reviewing real property, financial accounts, retirement benefits, and any existing estate documents. Understanding the full picture helps us recommend whether a will alone is appropriate or if complementary documents are needed. We also discuss practical issues like funeral preferences, provision for pets, and options for legacy gifts to charities so that the resulting plan reflects the client’s values and circumstances.
We review each asset category and any existing beneficiary designations to identify where a will will control and where assets pass outside the will. This review highlights potential conflicts between account beneficiary listings and testamentary directions and allows us to propose adjustments such as retitling or updating designations. Taking this step early reduces the risk of unintentional outcomes and clarifies the components that must be coordinated to align estate administration with the client’s intentions after death.
We discuss potential guardians for minor children and recommend naming alternates in case the primary choice cannot serve. We also explore who should serve as personal representative or trustee and what authority they should hold for managing assets. Clear fiduciary nominations, combined with written instructions regarding care and support, can help courts make decisions consistent with the testator’s preferences and provide appointed caretakers with documented guidance for raising children and managing finances after the testator’s death.
Once the initial information is gathered, we prepare a draft Last Will and Testament and any complementary documents identified during the review. Drafts are provided for client review and revision until they accurately reflect intentions and practical considerations. We explain each clause and how it operates under California law, addressing issues such as residuary distributions, contingent beneficiaries, and guardianship language. The review process allows clients to make informed decisions and request changes before final execution.
Drafting focuses on tailoring provisions to fit the family’s circumstances, whether that means making specific bequests, creating trust-funded provisions for minor beneficiaries, or ensuring that charitable gifts are clearly described. This stage addresses special considerations such as blended family arrangements, stepchildren, and previous estate planning documents that must be reconciled. Clear drafting reduces ambiguity that could lead to disputes and helps ensure that the testator’s intentions are more likely to be carried out as planned.
We explain California’s execution and witness requirements for wills, including the need for proper signatures and witness attestations to establish validity and reduce the chance of contest. Clients receive guidance on how to sign and store the will, who should serve as witnesses, and how to handle remote scenarios such as signing when family members are out of state. Proper execution protects the will from procedural challenges and helps ensure a smoother probate process if the will needs to be presented to the court.
After documents are finalized and executed, we advise clients on safekeeping, recommended distribution of copies, and steps to keep records current. We discuss notifying fiduciaries and where to locate important documents to ease administration. Periodic reviews are recommended after significant life events to confirm that wills and related instruments still reflect current wishes, account titling remains appropriate, and beneficiary designations are updated. Ongoing maintenance keeps the plan effective and aligned with changing family and financial circumstances.
Clients receive guidance on where to store original documents, how to document access procedures for named fiduciaries, and how to provide trusted individuals with necessary information for locating the will and related instruments. Proper safekeeping reduces the risk that documents will be lost or destroyed and provides clear directions to those responsible for administration. We also discuss options for recording where digital and physical copies are kept so appointed representatives can find required documents when needed.
We recommend reviewing estate documents after key life events like marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, acquisition of significant assets, or changes in family relationships. These triggers often necessitate updates to wills, beneficiary designations, and fiduciary nominations to maintain alignment with current intentions. Regular reviews help avoid unintended outcomes and ensure that the estate plan continues to reflect the client’s wishes and practical needs as circumstances evolve over time.
If you die without a valid will in California, your estate will be distributed according to state intestacy laws, which set a default order of inheritance among surviving family members. This means the court will determine who inherits assets and in what shares, which may not align with your personal wishes. Intestacy also leaves the appointment of a personal representative to the court, rather than naming a trusted individual to carry out your plans. As a result, individuals who might have been intended beneficiaries could be excluded while others inherit under statutory rules that may not reflect family realities. Dying intestate also creates uncertainty for minor children, because guardianship nominations are not established in the absence of a will. This can lead to time-consuming court proceedings and potential conflicts among relatives. To avoid these outcomes, many people prepare a Last Will and Testament to clearly specify beneficiaries, name an administrator, and nominate guardians for minors. Creating a will provides families with direction and reduces the risk of unintended results under the state’s default distribution rules.
Selecting a guardian for minor children involves considering who can provide a stable, caring environment and manage the child’s daily needs, schooling, and financial support. Parents often name a close family member or trusted friend who shares their values and has the capacity to assume parental duties. It is also wise to name alternate guardians in the event the primary nominee cannot serve. Discussing the responsibility with the prospective guardian beforehand helps ensure they are willing and able to accept the role and understand the child-rearing approach desired by the parents. Including a guardianship nomination in your will does not guarantee the court will appoint that person, but the court will give significant weight to a parent’s nominated guardian when acting in the child’s best interests. The will can also include instructions about financial arrangements for the child’s care and appoint a trustee to manage funds left for their support. Clear documentation and communication with nominated guardians reduce uncertainty and help ensure that the child’s welfare is prioritized if parents are no longer able to care for them.
Yes, a will can specify gifts of specific items, including family heirlooms, jewelry, or other sentimental possessions, by identifying the item and the intended recipient. To reduce ambiguity and potential disputes, it is helpful to describe items clearly, designate alternate recipients if the named beneficiary cannot inherit, and keep an updated inventory or memorandum that corresponds to the will. Clear identification of items and recipients helps prevent misunderstandings and ensures that personal property is distributed according to your wishes. When bequeathing valuable or sentimental items, consider the possible emotional value to multiple family members and communicate your intentions to reduce conflict. If items are of significant monetary value, consulting about tax implications or necessary transfer procedures can provide additional clarity. For items of special concern, combining a specific bequest in the will with instructions to an appointed personal representative or trustee can facilitate orderly distribution and honor family wishes.
A will itself does not avoid probate; it directs how assets titled in your name should be distributed through the probate process. Probate is the court procedure that validates the will, supervises the payment of debts and taxes, and oversees distribution of estate assets to beneficiaries. Assets that pass by beneficiary designation, joint tenancy, or trust ownership typically avoid probate, which is why many people combine wills with trusts and proper titling to minimize the assets subject to probate administration. While probate can be necessary to settle the estate, careful planning can reduce its scope and duration. Using strategies such as transferring property into a revocable living trust, updating beneficiary designations, and titling accounts jointly where appropriate can limit what goes through probate. The decision about whether to pursue probate avoidance strategies depends on the size and composition of the estate and the client’s privacy and administration preferences.
Wills should be reviewed and potentially updated after significant life events such as marriage, divorce, the birth or adoption of a child, acquisition or sale of major assets, or the death of a named beneficiary or executor. Changes in family structure and financial circumstances can create outcomes that differ from your original intentions, so periodic reviews help ensure that documents remain accurate and effective. It is a good practice to review estate documents every few years or whenever a major life change occurs to confirm they still reflect your wishes. Minor updates can often be accomplished with amendments, while substantial changes may require a new will. Keeping records of where documents are stored, ensuring that beneficiary designations are consistent with testamentary documents, and discussing plans with named fiduciaries reduces the risk of unintended distributions and eases administration. Regular reviews help maintain alignment between the estate plan and current goals for asset distribution and family care.
Yes, you can change or revoke your will at any time while you are legally competent. Revocation can occur by drafting and executing a new will that expressly revokes prior wills, by physically destroying the existing will with the intent to revoke, or by creating a codicil that amends parts of the will. It is important to follow California’s formalities for executing a new will or codicil to ensure they are legally effective and to communicate changes to key fiduciaries when appropriate. Because changes in family circumstances often make prior provisions obsolete, updating a will to reflect current wishes is common. When making revisions, ensure that any previous versions are clearly revoked and that beneficiaries and fiduciaries are notified as needed. Consulting resources on proper execution procedures reduces the risk that old documents will be read as still in effect by probate courts.
If a beneficiary named in your will predeceases you, the will’s language determines how that gift is handled. Some wills include contingent beneficiaries or residuary clauses that specify alternate recipients if primary beneficiaries do not survive the testator. If there is no alternate named, the gift may lapse and become part of the residuary estate to be distributed according to the will’s residuary clause. Without a residuary clause, the asset may pass by intestacy rules, which may lead to unintended distributions among relatives. To prevent uncertainty, consider naming contingent beneficiaries and specifying what should happen if a beneficiary dies before you. Regularly reviewing and updating beneficiary designations and will provisions helps ensure that your estate plan reflects current relationships and intentions, avoiding outcomes where gifts unintentionally fall into the residuary estate or are distributed under statutory rules.
During probate, the estate’s debts and taxes are typically paid before assets are distributed to beneficiaries. The executor inventories assets, notifies creditors, and pays valid claims from the estate’s funds. California provides statutory procedures and timelines for creditor claims, and the estate may need to sell assets to satisfy obligations if necessary. Certain family protections, such as allowances for a surviving spouse and minor children, may apply and affect distributions during administration. Estate taxes at the state level are not common in California, but federal estate tax considerations may arise for very large estates. Executors must ensure required tax returns are filed and any taxes owed are paid from estate assets. Clear recordkeeping and timely compliance with creditor and tax obligations help avoid personal liability for fiduciaries and facilitate proper distribution to beneficiaries once obligations are resolved.
A simple bequest in a will to a person with disabilities could inadvertently affect eligibility for public benefits, which are often means-tested. To protect a beneficiary’s access to public benefits, many families use a trust vehicle designed to preserve benefit eligibility while providing supplemental support. A properly drafted trust can hold and distribute funds for the disabled person’s needs without becoming countable assets for benefit programs, helping maintain government-provided services while enhancing quality of life through additional resources. When planning for a beneficiary who receives public benefits, it is important to consider tailored trust options that comply with applicable benefit program rules. Coordinating wills with trust arrangements, and naming appropriate fiduciaries to administer those trusts, provides safeguards that avoid jeopardizing essential benefits while delivering supplemental support for health, education, and other quality-of-life needs.
Storing the original will in a secure and accessible location is important so the executor can locate it after death. Many people store wills in a safe deposit box, a secure home safe, or with their attorney for safekeeping. It is helpful to inform the named executor and a trusted family member where the original will is kept and to provide instructions for accessing it. Ensuring the executor knows the location reduces delays in filing the will with the probate court when administration begins. In addition to physical storage, maintaining a simple inventory of key documents and sharing contact information for attorneys, financial institutions, and insurance carriers helps executors and family members assemble necessary records. Keeping digital backups and a list of account locations can further streamline administration. Clear directions about document access and who to contact reduce confusion and speed the process of settling the estate according to the testator’s wishes.
Criminal Defense
Homicide Defense
Manslaughter
Assault and Battery
Assault with a Deadly Weapon
Battery Causing Great Bodily Injury
Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence Protection Orders
Domestic Violence Restraining Order
Arson Defense
Weapons Charges
Illegal Firearm Possessions
Civil Harassment
Civil Harassment Restraining Orders
School Violence Restraining Orders
Violent Crimes Defense
Estate Planning Practice Areas