Planning for the future in Glendora means creating clear legal documents that protect your assets, your family, and your wishes. At the Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman, our estate planning practice helps residents of Glendora and surrounding Los Angeles County prepare trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives tailored to individual circumstances. We explain legal options in plain language and design plans that reduce uncertainty, minimize the need for court involvement, and create practical strategies for transferring property. Whether you own a home, retirement accounts, or a small business, thoughtful planning brings peace of mind for you and those you care about.
A well-constructed estate plan is more than a collection of documents. It aligns your legal choices with personal values, financial realities, and family dynamics. Our approach focuses on clear communication, careful document drafting, and attention to tax and probate considerations that often affect California families. We help clients prioritize goals such as preserving wealth for heirs, providing for a loved one with special needs, or naming guardians for minor children. By anticipating common legal complications and offering practical solutions, we make the process less stressful and more effective for Glendora residents seeking lasting protection.
Estate planning provides clarity about who will manage your affairs if you are incapacitated, who will inherit your assets, and how debts and taxes will be handled. For families in Glendora, a careful plan can help avoid lengthy court procedures, reduce potential family disputes, and ensure that your wishes are respected. Well-drafted documents like a revocable living trust and a pour-over will can streamline the transfer of property, while powers of attorney and healthcare directives ensure decision-making continuity. The benefits include reduced stress for loved ones, faster asset distribution, and a roadmap that aligns with your personal and financial priorities.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman serves California clients with a focus on practical estate planning solutions. Our team assists with trust formation, wills, powers of attorney, advance healthcare directives, and trust administration matters. We aim to listen carefully to each client, identify individual goals, and prepare documents that reflect those goals while following California law. Our practice emphasizes clear guidance during the planning process and responsive support afterward, including assistance with modifications, trust certifications, and related petitions when circumstances change. We work to deliver legal clarity and reliable document drafting to protect client interests over time.
Estate planning encompasses a range of legal documents and strategies designed to manage your assets during your lifetime, designate how they will be distributed after your death, and determine who will make decisions if you are unable to do so. Key components include revocable living trusts to avoid probate, a last will and testament to name heirs and guardians, financial powers of attorney to authorize trusted agents, and advance health care directives for medical decision making. Understanding how each element functions helps you assemble a cohesive plan suited to your family, financial situation, and long-term wishes.
Beyond documents, estate planning involves anticipating tax issues, creditor claims, and potential family disputes that can complicate asset transfers. For many California residents, a trust-based approach can reduce probate costs and accelerate distribution to beneficiaries. Other specialized options, such as irrevocable life insurance trusts or retirement plan trusts, address specific goals like protecting assets from certain liabilities or ensuring tax-advantaged retirement funds transfer as intended. We help clients weigh options, explaining the probable outcomes of each choice and how they fit within the client’s broader financial and personal objectives.
Estate planning is the process of preparing legal arrangements that manage your property now and after death, and that provide decision-making authority if you become incapacitated. It involves selecting trustees and agents, documenting your wishes for healthcare and end-of-life decisions, and organizing assets so that designated beneficiaries receive them according to your instructions. In California, certain documents such as a revocable living trust and pour-over will are commonly used to simplify administration and avoid public probate proceedings. Proper planning also considers tax implications, beneficiary designations, and strategies to address unique family situations, creating a comprehensive roadmap for the future.
A typical estate planning process begins with a thorough inventory of assets, beneficiary designations, and family relationships, followed by identification of goals such as asset protection, care for minors or dependents, and tax management. Core documents include revocable living trusts, pour-over wills, financial powers of attorney, advance health care directives, and trust certificates. Additional actions may include creating irrevocable trusts, special needs trusts, pet trusts, or Heggstad petitions when property needs to be transferred into an existing trust. The process often concludes with execution of documents, periodic review, and assistance with administration or modification as circumstances evolve.
Understanding common estate planning terms makes it easier to make informed choices. This glossary explains frequently used concepts like trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and various petition types. Knowing these terms will help you follow discussions about probate avoidance, trust funding, beneficiary designations, and post-death administration. Clear definitions also help when reviewing draft documents or deciding between different trust structures. The goal is to make technical language accessible so clients can participate confidently in designing and maintaining an effective estate plan.
A revocable living trust is a legal arrangement that holds assets during your lifetime and distributes them according to your instructions after death. It allows you to serve as trustee while alive and name successor trustees to manage the trust if you become unable to do so. One key benefit is reducing the need for formal probate, which can save time and maintain privacy. The trust can be altered or revoked during the grantor’s life, providing flexibility as circumstances change. Properly funding the trust by transferring assets into it is important to achieve intended benefits.
A Heggstad petition is a California procedure used to transfer property into a trust after the decedent’s death when assets were intended to be in the trust but were never formally retitled. The petition asks the court to confirm that the decedent had intended the property to be governed by the trust. This process can prevent prolonged estate administration and align asset distribution with the trust terms. Filing a Heggstad petition often involves documentation showing the decedent’s intent, and it can be an effective remedy for common oversights during the trust funding process.
A last will and testament designates how remaining assets that are not in a trust should be distributed, names an executor to administer the estate, and can include guardianship nominations for minor children. A pour-over will is often used together with a revocable living trust to ensure any assets not transferred during life are directed into the trust at death. Wills are subject to probate in California, which is a court-supervised process to validate the will and distribute assets. Proper drafting and complementary trust planning help minimize probate’s duration and impact on beneficiaries.
An advance health care directive documents your preferences for medical treatment if you are unable to communicate and names an agent to make healthcare decisions on your behalf. This directive ensures that your wishes regarding life-sustaining treatment, comfort care, and other medical matters are known and respected. It also helps reduce uncertainty for family members and medical professionals during stressful situations. Combined with a HIPAA authorization and clear communication with loved ones, an advance health care directive forms an essential part of a comprehensive estate plan focused on personal dignity and healthcare decision continuity.
Choosing between a limited approach, such as a simple will, and a comprehensive estate plan hinges on factors like asset complexity, family needs, and the desire to avoid probate. Limited options may suffice for individuals with few assets and uncomplicated family situations where minimizing upfront costs is a priority. Comprehensive plans typically feature trusts, durable powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and tailored provisions to address taxes, creditor exposure, and long-term care considerations. We help clients evaluate which route aligns with their goals and provide transparent information about likely outcomes, benefits, and administrative implications.
A limited estate plan may be suitable when an individual has a straightforward asset profile, clearly designated beneficiaries, and minimal concerns about probate delay or family disputes. For example, someone with a single residence, modest savings, and retirement accounts with beneficiary designations may find that a well-drafted will and basic powers of attorney address most needs. If there are no minor children to protect, no substantial business interests, and no complex tax planning required, a limited plan can deliver necessary protections while keeping costs and complexity lower.
When the likelihood of prolonged incapacity is low and family relationships are stable, a limited plan can be an efficient option. If decision-making can reasonably be handled by a close family member without legal ambiguity, and there are few assets that require specialized handling, a less elaborate plan often meets the client’s needs. However, even in these situations, having durable powers of attorney and healthcare directives remains important to ensure decisions can be made promptly if unexpected events occur.
Clients with multiple real estate holdings, business interests, retirement accounts, or significant investment portfolios often benefit from a comprehensive estate plan. Such a plan coordinates ownership structures and beneficiary designations, addresses potential tax exposure, and provides succession arrangements for business continuity. Trust-based planning can reduce probate exposure, provide smoother transitions for ownership, and create clear instructions for trustees and heirs. A comprehensive approach also anticipates creditor claims and other contingencies that could otherwise complicate the transfer of wealth to intended beneficiaries.
When there is a higher risk of incapacity or when family members require ongoing support, a comprehensive plan provides detailed mechanisms for care and financial management. This includes durable financial powers of attorney, advance healthcare directives, and trusts such as special needs trusts to protect benefits for a disabled beneficiary. For clients with minor children or blended family arrangements, comprehensive planning clarifies guardianship, inheritance shares, and trustee responsibilities, reducing the potential for disputes and ensuring long-term welfare and stability for dependents.
A comprehensive estate plan can reduce the time and expense of probate, preserve privacy by avoiding public court proceedings, and allow for smoother transitions of asset management during incapacity. Trusts provide flexibility to specify how and when beneficiaries receive distributions, which can be particularly valuable for managing inheritances across multiple generations. Detailed powers of attorney and healthcare directives ensure that decision-making authority is legally documented and ready if an unexpected medical event occurs. Overall, a comprehensive approach provides structure and predictability for complex family and financial situations.
Additional benefits include tailored solutions for tax planning, creditor protection strategies, and the ability to address unique goals such as caring for a dependent with special needs or creating a pet trust. When retirement accounts and life insurance policies are integrated into the overall plan, distribution outcomes align with intentions and minimize unintended consequences. Regular review and updates to a comprehensive plan also ensure that changing laws, family events, and financial developments are reflected in the documents, maintaining their effectiveness over time.
One key advantage of a trust-centered estate plan is the potential to avoid full probate administration, which can be time-consuming and publicly disclosed. By transferring assets into a revocable living trust, many of the estate’s assets can pass directly to beneficiaries without court involvement, resulting in faster distribution and less public scrutiny. This is especially important for families who value confidentiality or who wish to reduce administrative burdens. Streamlined administration also reduces emotional stress for survivors and helps ensure that distributions occur according to the grantor’s documented wishes.
A comprehensive plan designates successors for financial and healthcare decision making, ensuring continuity if the primary decision-maker becomes incapacitated. Trust documents and durable powers of attorney outline the authority and responsibilities of trustees and agents, minimizing confusion during stressful circumstances. This clarity helps medical professionals, financial institutions, and family members act quickly and in line with the client’s wishes. Having these mechanisms in place reduces the risk of court-appointed conservatorship and provides a predictable path forward for managing assets and personal care.
Begin your estate planning process by compiling a comprehensive list of assets, including real estate, bank accounts, retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and business interests. Note current beneficiary designations and account ownership details, because these can override or affect instructions in your estate plan. Gathering documents such as deeds, account statements, and policy information makes conversations about strategy more efficient. A clear inventory helps identify gaps where beneficiary designations need updating or where transfer documents, such as a trust deed, should be executed to align with your overall plan.
Estate planning is not a one-time task; it requires periodic review to remain effective. Changes in family structure, asset values, or state law can affect the suitability of your documents. Schedule reviews after major milestones such as the acquisition of new property, retirement, or significant changes in health. These reviews provide an opportunity to confirm that trust funding is complete, beneficiary designations are aligned, and powers of attorney remain appropriate for current needs. Regular maintenance keeps your plan functional and aligned with what matters most to you and your family.
Formal estate planning addresses practical concerns that affect nearly every family: ensuring financial decisions can be made on your behalf when you cannot act, naming guardians for minor children, and specifying how assets should be managed and distributed. Without clear legal documents, family members may face delays, added costs, and uncertainty about your wishes. Establishing documents such as living trusts, powers of attorney, and advance health care directives provides legal authority to designated individuals and preserves your control over future outcomes. This preparation reduces stress and helps protect your interests and legacy.
Beyond immediate family needs, estate planning can address longer-term goals like preserving wealth for future generations, protecting a beneficiary who relies on public benefits, or integrating business succession plans. Specialized trust arrangements and beneficiary directions help accomplish these objectives while responding to the legal landscape in California. By proactively planning, you reduce the risk of unintended tax consequences and minimize administrative burdens on those who will carry out your wishes. Thoughtful planning creates a durable framework for honoring your priorities and easing transitions for loved ones.
Certain life events make formal estate planning particularly important, such as becoming a parent, acquiring significant assets, getting married or divorced, or facing a decline in health. Business owners and those with complex financial holdings also need clear succession and transfer plans. Similarly, families with a member who receives government benefits may need trust arrangements to protect those benefits. Preparing legal documents in advance allows you to control outcomes, designate trusted decision-makers, and minimize the likelihood of court involvement during critical moments.
When children enter the family, naming guardians and structuring inheritance for their future needs becomes a top priority. A trust and will can nominate guardians, set up funds for education and care, and specify the ages at which children receive assets. This planning protects minor children and gives parents confidence that decisions will be implemented in a manner consistent with their values. Clear instructions reduce uncertainty and ensure that those entrusted with care and management have lawful authority to act promptly when necessary.
Home and real estate ownership often creates the need for trust planning to avoid probate and ensure smooth transfer to intended beneficiaries. When multiple properties are involved, coordinating title ownership and trust funding helps prevent disputes and administrative delays. Careful planning also addresses questions of shared ownership, rental properties, and succession for properties that generate income. A trust arrangement can provide continuity of management and clear instructions for disposition, which is particularly valuable for families who wish to preserve property as part of a long-term legacy.
When a family member has special needs, specific trust structures can ensure that support continues without jeopardizing eligibility for government benefits. A properly drafted special needs trust delivers supplemental care while preserving public benefits, and other documents like letters of intent guide future caregivers. The planning process includes naming a trustee or manager who understands the beneficiary’s requirements and establishing funding and distribution guidelines tailored to long-term care. This focused planning provides both legal protection and practical direction for lifelong support.
We provide local service to Glendora and surrounding communities, offering personalized estate planning consultations by phone or in person. Our practice helps clients assemble comprehensive plans that include revocable living trusts, last wills and testaments, financial powers of attorney, advance health care directives, and related trust documents like certifications and pour-over wills. We assist with trust funding, Heggstad petitions, trust modifications, and administration tasks when they arise. Our goal is to make legal planning accessible, practical, and aligned with each client’s family situation and financial interests.
Clients select our firm for clear communication, careful document drafting, and attentive client service throughout the planning process. We focus on translating legal requirements into practical solutions, ensuring documents reflect client preferences and conform to California law. Our attorneys and staff work with you to gather necessary information, explain options, and prepare tailored documents that address both immediate and long-term concerns. We emphasize timely responses and follow-through to make the estate planning process manageable and effective for families in Glendora and beyond.
Our practice handles a full range of estate planning needs, from basic wills and powers of attorney to more complex trust arrangements and petitions to the court when necessary. We assist with funding trusts, preparing trust certifications, and navigating post-death administration to help families implement plans with minimal disruption. By coordinating with financial advisors, accountants, and other professionals when appropriate, we aim to create comprehensive solutions that reflect each client’s circumstances and objectives. This collaborative approach helps align legal documents with broader financial goals.
We also provide practical guidance on pressing tasks like updating beneficiary designations and maintaining cohesive records so your plan functions as intended. Regular plan reviews are encouraged to address life changes and evolving laws. Whether you are creating a new estate plan, updating an existing one, or dealing with trust administration, our services focus on clarity and dependable document preparation. We prioritize making the process less stressful for clients and their families by delivering straightforward legal options and reliable follow-through.
The process begins with an initial consultation to identify goals, family relationships, and the asset inventory. We discuss options like revocable living trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives, and recommend a plan tailored to your needs. After agreeing on the approach, we draft documents addressing your wishes and explain signing and funding steps. Follow-up includes assistance with retitling assets into trusts, updating beneficiary designations, and scheduling periodic reviews. Our goal is to make the process straightforward, ensure documents are executed correctly, and provide ongoing support as circumstances change.
Collecting accurate information is essential to crafting an effective plan. This step involves identifying assets, current ownership arrangements, beneficiary designations, family dynamics, and core objectives such as guardianship preferences or long-term care intentions. We review documents like deeds, account statements, retirement plan forms, and existing legal instruments to determine what updates or new documents are necessary. Clear goals help shape the specific combination of trusts, wills, and powers of attorney that will best achieve the client’s objectives while complying with California law.
During the assessment, we catalog accounts, property, retirement plans, life insurance policies, and business interests while confirming current beneficiary designations. This comprehensive review identifies assets that need retitling into a trust and highlights potential conflicts or gaps between documents. It also clarifies who would step into decision-making roles under powers of attorney and healthcare directives. Thorough assessment reduces surprises later in the planning process and ensures that drafted documents accurately reflect the client’s wishes and the realities of asset ownership.
We also discuss family circumstances such as minor children, dependents with special needs, blended family concerns, and chosen guardians or trustees. This conversation helps shape distribution timing, trustee instructions, and provisions for ongoing care or education. Identifying priorities early ensures that the plan addresses both legal mechanisms and practical caregiving expectations. Having these candid discussions helps avoid ambiguity in documents and leads to clearer instructions for the individuals who will carry out your wishes in the future.
After goals and assets are identified, we prepare draft documents that reflect the chosen plan. This typically includes trusts, pour-over wills, financial powers of attorney, advance health care directives, and any supporting trust instruments such as certifications or assignments. We review the drafts with clients, explain each provision, and make revisions until the documents align with the client’s intentions. Careful review at this stage ensures legal clarity, reduces the likelihood of future disputes, and confirms that the documents work together cohesively.
Trust and will drafting focuses on naming trustees and successor trustees, allocating assets, and setting distribution schedules. Provisions may address education funding, staggered distributions, and successor management if beneficiaries are not ready to receive substantial assets outright. The pour-over will complements the trust by capturing assets that were not transferred during life. Precise language helps avoid ambiguity and ensures that the intentions are enforceable under California law. We tailor provisions to meet family needs and keep administration as straightforward as possible.
Documents that authorize trusted agents to manage finances or healthcare are drafted with clear scope and backup agents named to act if the primary agent cannot serve. Advance health care directives and HIPAA authorizations ensure medical information is available to designated decision-makers and clarify preferences for life-sustaining treatment and palliative care. Financial powers of attorney are structured to enable effective management of accounts and property while including safeguards that reflect the client’s comfort level. These documents are integral to maintaining continuity of care and financial oversight during incapacity.
Execution of documents follows California formalities, including proper signing and notarization. After execution, funding a revocable trust by retitling assets and updating beneficiary designations is an important next step to ensure the plan functions as intended. We assist clients with the administrative tasks that complete the plan, such as preparing deeds, beneficiary change forms, and trust certifications. Finally, ongoing maintenance through periodic reviews and updates keeps the plan current with life changes and legal developments, preserving its effectiveness for the long term.
Trust funding means transferring titled assets into the name of the trust so that the trust can manage them according to its terms. This may involve preparing deeds for real estate, changing account ownership, and confirming beneficiary designations are coordinated with trust provisions. Proper funding avoids unintended probate and ensures successor trustees can manage assets without court intervention. We guide clients through each step of retitling, coordinate with financial institutions, and provide clear instructions for maintaining trust ownership going forward.
After initial setup, periodic reviews ensure documents reflect changes such as new property, changed family circumstances, or updates in the law. We offer assistance with trust administration tasks when a trustee needs to manage distributions or address creditor claims, and we prepare petitions such as trust modification requests or Heggstad petitions when necessary. Ongoing support helps trustees and family members understand their responsibilities and access the documentation needed to carry out the plan smoothly and in accordance with the trust’s terms.
A trust and a will serve different purposes and operate in distinct ways. A will becomes effective only after death and typically requires probate, the court-supervised process to validate the will and distribute assets. Wills are useful for naming guardians for minor children and directing how assets not held in a trust should be distributed. By contrast, a revocable living trust takes effect during your lifetime and can continue after death, allowing many assets to pass to beneficiaries outside of probate and often providing more privacy and quicker distribution. Choosing between a trust and a will depends on your goals, asset complexity, and desire to avoid probate. Many people use both: a trust to handle titled assets and a pour-over will to ensure any assets not transferred during life are directed into the trust. Trusts also provide continuity for management during incapacity, since successor trustees can step in without court appointment. We review family circumstances and asset structure to recommend the most appropriate combination of documents for each client.
Having a will is important, but a will alone does not avoid probate for assets that pass through court administration. If your primary goal is to reduce or avoid probate, a revocable living trust is often a more effective tool because assets titled in the trust can transfer to beneficiaries without court involvement. Wills still play a role in capturing any property not transferred into the trust during life through a pour-over provision, but relying solely on a will can leave your heirs subject to the time and expense of probate. Whether you need a trust depends on factors such as the value and type of assets you own, privacy concerns, and family dynamics. For individuals with real estate, multiple accounts, or a desire for smoother post-death administration, trusts frequently provide significant advantages. We help clients assess whether trust funding and coordination with beneficiary designations will meet their goals and prepare the appropriate documents to implement the plan.
A power of attorney is a legal document that authorizes another person to act on your behalf for financial and legal matters. A durable financial power of attorney remains effective if you become incapacitated, allowing the appointed agent to manage banking, bill payments, property transactions, and other financial affairs. It is important to choose an agent you trust, name backup agents, and specify any limits on authority to reflect your comfort level and protect your interests. Creating a power of attorney involves clear drafting to ensure institutions accept the document and to prevent disputes. In California, certain formalities such as signatures and acknowledgement may be required. A coordinated estate plan aligns powers of attorney with trust provisions to ensure seamless management during incapacity. We provide guidance on selecting agents, drafting appropriate powers, and ensuring the documents will be accepted by banks and other entities.
An advance health care directive states your preferences for medical treatment and appoints an agent to make health care decisions if you are unable to communicate. This document addresses situations involving life-sustaining treatment, comfort care, and other preferences so that medical teams and family members understand your wishes. A HIPAA authorization is often included so your appointed agent can obtain medical records and communicate with healthcare providers without delay. Advance directives reduce uncertainty and the potential for family disagreement during medical crises. They also ensure your values guide care decisions when you cannot speak for yourself. Discussing your preferences with loved ones and your appointed agent helps ensure the directive is followed. We help clients draft clear directives that reflect their values and comply with California requirements to be effective when needed.
Regular reviews of your estate plan are recommended whenever significant life changes occur, such as marriage, divorce, births, deaths, acquisition of substantial assets, or changes in health. Even absent major events, a periodic review every few years helps ensure documents remain aligned with current laws and your intentions. Reviews also provide an opportunity to confirm that trusts have been properly funded and beneficiary designations remain current. Updating documents can address changed family dynamics, new financial goals, or shifts in tax and estate law. Neglecting to update beneficiary forms or retitle property can produce unintended results that complicate distribution to heirs. We assist clients with scheduled reviews and updates to keep plans effective and consistent with evolving circumstances and priorities.
Funding a trust involves transferring ownership of assets into the name of the trust so the trust can manage those assets according to its terms. For real estate, this typically requires preparing and recording a deed that names the trust as owner. For bank and investment accounts, funding may require completing change of ownership forms or re-titling accounts. Retirement accounts and life insurance usually remain in the original account form but should have beneficiary designations that align with the trust plan. Proper funding is essential to achieve the intended benefits of the trust, such as avoiding probate and ensuring successor trustees can act without court intervention. We guide clients through the administrative steps, coordinate with financial institutions and title companies, and prepare necessary documents to complete funding efficiently and accurately.
Revocable trusts can generally be modified or revoked during the grantor’s lifetime, allowing flexibility as circumstances change. If beneficiaries or family situations shift, or if laws and financial goals evolve, changes can be made to reflect new intentions. For irrevocable trusts, modification is more limited and may require court approval, consent of beneficiaries, or other legal mechanisms depending on the trust terms and applicable law. Understanding the nature of the trust is key to knowing how easily it can be altered. When modifications are needed after a grantor’s death, options are more constrained, but some post-death changes can be pursued through trust modification petitions or by seeking court approval in cases of unanticipated circumstances. We review trust language and available remedies to determine the best route for modification when appropriate and assist with petitions or amendments that conform to legal requirements.
Retirement account beneficiaries are often controlled by beneficiary designations that name specific individuals or entities, and those designations can override instructions in a will. Coordinating retirement plan beneficiary designations with trust documents is important to ensure assets are distributed as intended. In some situations, naming a trust as beneficiary may provide control over distribution timing and creditor protection, but this choice has tax and administrative implications that should be carefully considered. We help clients review account beneficiary forms, evaluate whether a trust should be named as beneficiary, and structure distributions in a way that aligns with the client’s goals. Proper coordination minimizes unexpected outcomes and ensures retirement assets pass according to the overall estate plan rather than by default designations that may no longer reflect current intentions.
A special needs trust is designed to provide supplemental support for a beneficiary who receives government benefits without disqualifying that individual from essential public assistance programs. The trust holds assets for the beneficiary’s benefit and provides distributions for needs not covered by government benefits, such as enrichment, specialized therapies, or personal items. The trust must be carefully drafted and administered to maintain eligibility for Supplemental Security Income and Medi-Cal where applicable. These trusts can be established during the grantor’s lifetime or created as a testamentary trust under a will or trust document. Naming an appropriate trustee and creating clear distribution guidelines are important to balance benefit preservation and quality of life. We assist families in structuring trusts and coordinating them with public benefits to provide responsive care without jeopardizing essential supports.
Pet trusts allow you to provide for the care and maintenance of companion animals after your death by appointing a caregiver and setting aside funds for that care. The trust can specify the standard of care, visitation rights for family members, and the method for disbursing funds to the caregiver. Naming a trusted caregiver and an alternate, and including clear instructions about veterinary care and living arrangements, helps ensure your pet’s well-being when you are no longer able to provide care. Because pets cannot own property, the trust mechanism ensures that funds are managed for the animal’s benefit while also providing legal authority for the caregiver to make decisions. We help clients create pet trusts with appropriate funding levels, trustee arrangements, and instructions so pets receive consistent care in accordance with the owner’s wishes.
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