Planning for the future is essential for individuals and families in View Park-Windsor Hills who want to protect assets and ensure their wishes are followed. Our page outlines common estate planning documents such as revocable living trusts, last wills, powers of attorney, and advance health care directives, and explains how each can function together. We emphasize clear communication about distribution goals, incapacity planning, and protecting beneficiaries, including those with special needs or pets. If you are considering an initial plan or updating existing documents, this guide will help you understand options and next steps tailored to California rules and local considerations.
Estate planning is not only about dividing assets; it is about preserving peace of mind and minimizing uncertainty for loved ones. In View Park-Windsor Hills and throughout California, careful drafting can reduce the risk of probate, clarify successor decision-making, and provide instructions for health care and financial management. This introduction outlines the services commonly used to meet those goals, explains when trusts or wills may be appropriate, and highlights the importance of coordinated documents like pour-over wills, certification of trust, and HIPAA authorizations. Clear planning helps avoid conflicts and supports orderly transitions when life changes occur.
Thoughtful estate planning offers practical benefits beyond asset distribution: it helps families avoid unnecessary delays, reduces stress during difficult times, and provides clear instructions for health care and financial decisions if a person becomes incapacitated. In California, appropriate documents such as revocable living trusts and financial powers of attorney can minimize court involvement and preserve privacy. Planning tools also enable parents to name guardians for minor children and provide for family members with special needs through tailored trusts. Ultimately, a comprehensive approach helps protect legacies, ensures wishes are respected, and supports a smoother transfer of responsibilities to those left behind.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman has served California clients with a practical, client-focused approach to estate planning for many years. Our team works to understand each client’s family dynamics, financial situation, and unique concerns to create documents that reflect personal priorities and comply with state law. Services commonly include revocable living trusts, wills, powers of attorney, health directives, trust funding strategies, and petitions when court actions are required. We prioritize clear explanations, careful drafting, and coordination of documents so that plans function as intended and families face fewer uncertainties when change occurs.
Estate planning involves creating legal documents that manage assets, name decision makers, and set instructions for health care and guardianship. In California, common components include a revocable living trust to hold assets, a pour-over will to catch anything not transferred to the trust, a financial power of attorney to appoint someone to handle financial matters, and an advance health care directive that names a health care agent and expresses treatment preferences. Each document serves a different purpose, and when used together they create a cohesive plan that addresses incapacity, end-of-life choices, and the efficient transfer of property to beneficiaries.
Local considerations in View Park-Windsor Hills include property ownership forms, community property rules that may affect spouses, and available resources for guardianship or trust administration. Asset titling and beneficiary designations must be reviewed to ensure they align with the plan’s objectives. For families with blended households or beneficiaries with special needs, additional planning such as special needs trusts or irrevocable life insurance trusts may be appropriate. Regular reviews are important to address life events like marriage, divorce, births, deaths, or changes in financial circumstances that can alter the effectiveness of an existing plan.
Understanding the core documents helps you choose the right tools. A revocable living trust holds assets during life and allows a successor trustee to manage them without probate. A last will and testament appoints guardians for minors and directs distribution for assets not in the trust. A financial power of attorney designates someone to act on your behalf for financial matters, and an advance health care directive names a health care agent and states treatment preferences. Additional documents like HIPAA authorizations and certification of trust support administration and access to necessary records without revealing sensitive details.
Creating a complete estate plan involves gathering financial information, identifying goals for asset distribution, selecting decision makers, and drafting documents that work together. The process includes inventorying accounts and property, updating beneficiary designations, titling assets into trusts where appropriate, and preparing contingencies for incapacity. If litigation or court petitions are required—such as for trust modification or a Heggstad petition to include assets acquired after trust funding—those steps are handled through formal filings. The aim is to produce cohesive, durable documents that can be administered smoothly when they must be used.
Familiarity with common terms reduces confusion during planning and administration. Terms like revocable living trust, pour-over will, certification of trust, and Heggstad petition describe different legal tools and procedures. Other terms include trustee, beneficiary, fiduciary, and pour-over will, each with a specific legal function. Knowing what these words mean helps clients make informed choices about guardianship nominations, distributions to minor beneficiaries, and protections for those with special needs. Clear definitions also make it easier to communicate family intentions and to confirm that documents reflect current wishes and legal requirements.
A revocable living trust is a flexible planning tool created during a person’s lifetime to hold assets and provide for management and distribution without court involvement. The individual who creates the trust typically serves as trustee during life and later names a successor trustee to manage trust property. Because the trust is revocable, the creator can modify or revoke it while competent. A properly funded revocable trust can avoid probate for assets titled in the trust, provide continuity in the event of incapacity, and allow instructions for successor trustees to follow regarding distributions to beneficiaries.
A financial power of attorney is a legal document that appoints an agent to act on behalf of the principal for financial matters if the principal becomes unavailable or incapacitated. The scope of authority can be broad or limited to specific tasks like managing bank accounts, paying bills, or handling real estate transactions. Proper drafting ensures the agent’s powers align with the principal’s wishes and includes any limitations or successor agents. This document is different from a trust but works together with trusts and wills to ensure financial affairs are managed when someone cannot act personally.
A last will and testament sets forth how remaining assets not held in a trust should be distributed and can name guardians for minor children. Wills must go through probate to transfer titled property unless assets are owned jointly or have designated beneficiaries. Pour-over wills are often used with trusts to transfer any assets into the trust at death. Wills may also include instructions for personal items or funeral wishes. Because wills are public documents after probate, some individuals prefer to place assets in trust to maintain privacy and streamline distribution.
An advance health care directive allows an individual to name a health care agent and specify preferences for medical treatment if they cannot make decisions themselves. It often includes instructions about life-sustaining treatments and clarifies whether to pursue or forgo certain interventions. The directive also permits the appointed agent to receive medical information and make decisions consistent with the principal’s wishes. Paired with a HIPAA authorization, the directive helps ensure that medical providers can share necessary information with chosen decision makers during critical moments.
Choosing between a few targeted documents and a comprehensive estate plan depends on family needs and assets. Limited options, like a simple will and power of attorney, may suffice for small estates or uncomplicated situations, but they can leave assets subject to probate and create gaps in incapacity planning. Comprehensive plans that include trusts, pour-over wills, and tailored trust provisions offer greater control over distribution timing, privacy, and management for beneficiaries who cannot manage money. Evaluating your situation, family structure, and long-term objectives helps determine which approach best preserves your goals and minimizes potential disputes.
Some households with very limited assets and straightforward beneficiary situations may find that a basic will and durable power of attorney provide adequate protection. If property ownership is joint or beneficiary designations already transfer small accounts directly, the administrative burden and costs of forming a trust may outweigh its benefits. In such cases, the focus is on ensuring that the will nominates guardians for minor children, that beneficiaries are current on financial accounts, and that the power of attorney names a trusted person to manage urgent financial matters if incapacity occurs. Regular reviews ensure these limited documents remain current.
Families with uncomplicated relationships, no minor or special needs beneficiaries, and straightforward asset titling may opt for a more limited approach focused on a will and powers of attorney. When heirs are able and willing to cooperate and assets can move through probate without significant tax or logistical consequences, these documents provide basic direction. However, even in uncomplicated situations, it is important to consider how incapacity will be addressed and whether any property should be retitled or beneficiary designations updated to reflect current intentions and avoid unintended outcomes.
A comprehensive plan that includes a revocable living trust can help avoid probate for assets properly titled in the trust, preserving privacy and often reducing the time and expense that beneficiaries may face after a death. Trust administration typically proceeds without court supervision, allowing successor trustees to manage distributions according to the trust terms. For individuals with real property, diverse investments, or a desire to control timing and conditions of distributions, a trust-based plan provides more certainty and flexibility than relying solely on a will and separate beneficiary designations.
Complex family situations, blended families, beneficiaries with special needs, or significant assets may require layered planning solutions such as special needs trusts, irrevocable planning for tax or creditor protection, and trust provisions that stage distributions over time. Comprehensive planning can incorporate retirement plan trusts, irrevocable life insurance trusts, and provisions to protect inheritances from creditors or mismanagement. Coordinating beneficiary designations and titling with trusts reduces the risk of unintended distributions and ensures that children, spouses, and other beneficiaries receive support according to the grantor’s priorities.
A comprehensive estate plan provides greater control over asset distribution, reduces the likelihood of contested outcomes, and clarifies authority for financial and medical decision making. By combining trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives, the plan creates redundancy and coordination so that important matters are addressed under different circumstances. This approach minimizes the need for court involvement, helps preserve family privacy, and can ease administrative burdens for successors. It also allows for tailored solutions like pet trusts or special needs planning that address unique family priorities.
Comprehensive planning also supports continuity during incapacity by appointing trustees and agents who can immediately manage affairs without court supervision. Properly drafted documents and trust funding reduce delays in managing property and paying expenses, and certification of trust documents can streamline interactions with financial institutions. When detailed guidance is included, successor decision makers have a clearer roadmap to follow, which can lower the risk of disputes and make transitions less disruptive for beneficiaries who rely on consistent financial support or care provisions.
One significant benefit of a comprehensive plan is maintaining privacy while ensuring efficient administration. Trusts typically avoid the public probate process, so family provisions and asset distributions remain private. Efficient administration helps reduce time and expense for those managing the estate and can provide faster access to funds needed for ongoing expenses or care of dependents. Certification of trust and clear successor appointment enable financial institutions and service providers to recognize authority without revealing sensitive trust terms, which can make transitions smoother for trustees and beneficiaries alike.
Comprehensive planning ensures continuity by naming fiduciaries to manage finances and health decisions if someone becomes unable to act. Financial powers of attorney and advance health care directives allow appointed agents to step in quickly to pay bills, manage assets, and make medical choices consistent with the principal’s wishes. A funded trust provides a mechanism for successor trustees to manage property without waiting for court orders. Together, these documents reduce disruption, protect vulnerable family members, and provide a framework for orderly decision making when capacity is impaired.
Regularly reviewing and updating your estate planning documents is essential to ensure they reflect current family relationships, changing assets, and new legal rules. Changes such as marriage, birth, divorce, or purchasing real estate can affect how assets should be titled and who should serve as fiduciaries. Ensure beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and insurance align with trust provisions to avoid conflicts. Maintaining consistent naming and appointments across wills, trusts, and powers of attorney reduces the likelihood of unintended outcomes and streamlines administration for appointed decision makers when documents must be used.
Preparing for potential incapacity through financial powers of attorney and advance health care directives ensures that trusted individuals can act when necessary. Communicate your plan and appointments with family and named agents so there is clarity about responsibilities and intentions. Consider including instructions for digital assets, pet care, and funeral preferences to reduce uncertainty. Open conversations can reduce conflict later and help agents fulfill their roles. Documentation like HIPAA authorizations enables health care providers to share information with designated individuals without unnecessary delays.
Residents in View Park-Windsor Hills face many of the same planning challenges as other California households, but local property values and family situations often make thoughtful planning especially valuable. Creating a revocable living trust and coordinating beneficiary designations can help manage real property and financial accounts, reduce probate risk, and provide clear instructions for successors. Planning is also important for those with dependent children, family members with disabilities, or blended households where equitable distribution may require tailored trust provisions. Proactive planning preserves family intentions and helps reduce stress during life transitions.
In addition to asset management, planning addresses healthcare decision making and guardianship nominations for minor children. An advance health care directive and HIPAA authorization ensure medical decisions and records are accessible to trusted individuals during emergencies. For families with retirement accounts or life insurance, coordination with trust provisions prevents unintended beneficiary outcomes. Estate planning also supports charitable goals or business succession planning for owners of closely held enterprises. Reviewing plans periodically helps adapt to life changes and ensures documents remain effective under current law and family circumstances.
Life events commonly prompt a need to create or update estate planning documents. These include marriage or divorce, the birth or adoption of children, retirement, significant changes in asset values, and the need to plan for long-term care. Business owners, parents of children with disabilities, and those who own property in multiple states often require coordinated planning to address complex issues. Additionally, relocating or changing beneficiary designations can unintentionally frustrate existing plans. Regularly reviewing your situation ensures documents remain aligned with current intentions and legal requirements.
Marriage and the arrival of children are common triggers to review or create an estate plan. New spouses may have different financial expectations, and naming guardians for minor children is an immediate priority for new parents. Creating or updating a will and trust ensures that children are provided for and that a trusted person is appointed to manage their inheritance until they reach an appropriate age. Financial powers of attorney and health care directives should also be updated to appoint agents who will act in the best interests of the family during incapacity or emergencies.
Purchasing real estate or experiencing a significant increase in assets is a good time to reassess your plan. Real property in View Park-Windsor Hills often represents a major portion of an estate and should be titled correctly to align with trust provisions. Large changes in portfolio size, business values, or retirement savings may make a trust-based strategy more advantageous to manage distributions and reduce probate complexities. Updating beneficiary designations and confirming asset titling helps ensure your intentions are honored and assets pass according to your plan.
A change in family health or unexpected medical needs often requires immediate attention to planning documents. If a family member develops a chronic condition or disability, creating trusts that preserve eligibility for public benefits while providing supplemental support can be essential. Advance health care directives and HIPAA authorizations ensure that designated agents can access medical information and make treatment decisions when capacity is limited. Planning for care costs and naming fiduciaries ahead of time reduces confusion and helps families focus on care rather than legal logistics.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman provides estate planning assistance tailored to residents of View Park-Windsor Hills and nearby Los Angeles County communities. We guide clients through choices about revocable living trusts, pour-over wills, powers of attorney, advance health care directives, and other trust options like irrevocable life insurance trusts and special needs trusts. Our process emphasizes clear documentation, coordinated asset titling, and practical recommendations for trustee and agent appointments. We assist with filings such as Heggstad petitions or trust modification petitions when circumstances require court involvement to align plans with current needs.
Clients work with us because we focus on practical, understandable planning that aligns with personal goals and California law. We listen to family priorities and draft documents designed to work together, aiming to reduce probate exposure and provide clear authority for financial and healthcare decisions. Our services include drafting revocable living trusts, pour-over wills, powers of attorney, advance directives, certification of trust, and specialized trust arrangements when needed. We emphasize careful document review, trust funding guidance, and ongoing updates so plans remain effective as circumstances change.
We also assist with administration tasks and court filings when situations require it, such as Heggstad petitions to include previously untitled assets or trust modification petitions to reflect changed circumstances. Our approach seeks to minimize unnecessary court involvement while ensuring legal requirements are satisfied. For families with minor children or beneficiaries who need continued support, we help craft trust provisions and guardian nominations that reflect long-term intentions. Clear communication with clients and fiduciaries is a priority to reduce misunderstandings and prepare decision makers for their roles.
Accessibility and responsiveness are part of our client service. We provide practical checklists and coordinate with financial institutions to help implement plans effectively. Whether creating a first-time plan or revisiting existing documents, we offer guidance on titling, beneficiary updates, and steps to avoid probate where possible. For clients with special planning needs—such as retirement plan trusts, irrevocable arrangements, or pet trusts—we explain tradeoffs and tailor documents so that your wishes are documented and can be carried out with minimal delay when needed.
Our process begins with a careful review of your family situation, assets, and objectives, followed by a recommended plan of documents and steps to implement it. We collect necessary financial information, discuss appointments for trustees and agents, and identify any specialized needs such as special needs planning or strategies to reduce probate exposure. After drafting, we review documents with you, make needed adjustments, and assist with signing and notarization. We also provide guidance for funding trusts and updating beneficiary designations so the plan functions as intended.
The first step involves gathering information about assets, family relationships, and objectives for legacy and care. We review property deeds, account registrations, beneficiary designations, and any existing documents to understand potential gaps. During this stage, we identify priorities like avoiding probate, protecting beneficiaries with special needs, or preserving assets for future generations. Clear discussions about who should serve as successor trustee, guardian, and agents for finances and health care help shape a plan tailored to your circumstances and aligned with California legal requirements.
We examine how assets are titled, who is listed as beneficiary on accounts, and whether any property is subject to liens or separate ownership issues. Identifying assets that should be transferred into a trust is an important part of avoiding probate. We prepare a checklist for retitling deeds, changing account registrations, and updating beneficiary designations where appropriate. This review also reveals if additional planning vehicles—such as retirement plan trusts or irrevocable arrangements—are necessary to meet tax or creditor protection goals.
During goal-setting discussions, we identify who will act as successor trustee, financial agent, and healthcare agent, and we clarify distribution objectives, including timing and conditions for beneficiaries. We address guardianship nominations for minor children and options for providing ongoing support when needed. Understanding your priorities allows us to draft provisions that reflect your intentions while providing practical administration instructions to fiduciaries, reducing ambiguity when those individuals are called upon to act on your behalf.
Once goals are set and facts are gathered, we draft the trust, will, powers of attorney, and health directives tailored to your needs. Drafting includes clauses that address successor authority, distribution timing, and practical administration steps for trustees and agents. We then review documents with you, explain how each provision operates, and make revisions where needed to reflect your preferences. This step ensures that the plan is coherent, legally sound under California law, and aligned with your family priorities before signing is scheduled.
Drafting trust and will documents involves specifying beneficiaries, trustee appointment and succession, distribution schedules, and any special provisions such as spendthrift protection or instructions for minor children. The draft also includes pour-over will language to catch assets not moved into the trust. We include certification of trust language where appropriate to facilitate interactions with banks and title companies, enabling successor trustees to access assets without disclosing sensitive terms of the trust.
Powers of attorney and advance health care directives are drafted to give agents appropriate authority while including any limits or successor agent appointments. Healthcare directives may include preferences for life-sustaining treatment and organ donation if desired, and a HIPAA authorization is included to permit access to medical records. Carefully drafted forms reduce uncertainty for medical providers and financial institutions, ensuring designated agents can act promptly and in accordance with the principal’s stated wishes when necessary.
The final step focuses on signing, notarization, and implementing the plan by funding trusts, updating titles, and confirming beneficiary designations. We supervise document execution to ensure formal requirements are met and provide instructions for transferring property into the trust. After documents are executed, we provide clients with a practical list of steps to complete trust funding and recommend that copies be given to appointed fiduciaries. Periodic reviews and updates are encouraged to keep the plan current with changes in life circumstances and law.
Proper execution of estate planning documents is essential for validity. We explain the signing formalities for wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and advance health care directives under California law, including notarization and witness requirements. Ensuring that documents are signed correctly prevents later challenges and supports seamless administration. We assist in coordinating signing appointments and provide original documents to clients with guidance on safekeeping and how to provide necessary copies to trustees, agents, and relevant institutions.
After execution, funding the trust and notifying financial institutions are critical steps to ensure the trust functions as intended. This includes retitling deeds, updating account registrations, and delivering certification of trust to banks, brokerages, and insurers. We provide a funding checklist and help prepare any required documents to present to institutions. Proper funding prevents assets from being left outside the trust and subject to probate, and it helps successor trustees access accounts quickly to manage expenses and distributions when needed.
A last will and testament directs how assets that are not otherwise transferred should be distributed and can name guardians for minor children. Wills generally require probate to transfer titled property, making them part of a public court process. In contrast, a revocable living trust is a document that holds assets in trust and allows a successor trustee to manage and distribute those trust assets without probate, provided the trust is properly funded. Trusts can offer a smoother transition, privacy, and continuity in cases of incapacity or death. Choosing between a will and a trust depends on your goals, asset types, and family situation. Many people use a combination: a trust for primary asset transfer and a pour-over will to capture any assets not transferred into the trust. Whether creating a trust or relying primarily on a will, it is important to coordinate beneficiary designations, account titling, and deeds so that documents work together and reflect your intentions under California law.
Avoiding probate in California typically involves holding assets in a trust, designating beneficiaries on accounts, and using joint ownership where appropriate. A revocable living trust can hold real estate, bank and brokerage accounts, and other titled property so that those assets pass according to the trust without the need for probate court administration. Beneficiary designations on retirement plans and life insurance also transfer outside probate when up to date and coordinated with your plan. Implementing an avoid-probate strategy requires careful asset review and retitling to ensure assets are actually controlled by the trust. Simple beneficiary updates and small estate exemptions may also help in modest estates. Regular reviews are necessary to confirm that newly acquired property is transferred into the trust and that account registrations remain consistent with the estate plan’s objectives.
You should update estate planning documents after major life events such as marriage, divorce, births, deaths, or significant changes in assets or health. Changes in family structure, such as the addition of stepchildren or a beneficiary’s changing needs, may require revisions to trusts and wills to ensure distributions remain appropriate. Also consider updates when you appoint new trustees, agents, or guardians to reflect current relationships and capabilities. Periodic reviews every few years are recommended even without major events to ensure documents remain effective under changing laws and financial circumstances. Reviewing beneficiary designations and asset titling during these sessions prevents conflicts and unanticipated outcomes, helping ensure your wishes remain current and legally effective.
A power of attorney is a legal document that appoints someone to manage financial affairs on your behalf if you cannot act. It can be tailored to grant broad authority for handling bank accounts, paying bills, filing taxes, or managing real estate, or it can be limited to specific tasks. Having a durable financial power of attorney in place prevents the need for court-appointed conservatorship if incapacity occurs and ensures that someone you trust can manage urgent financial matters. Selecting an agent and naming successor agents is an important decision; it should balance trustworthiness with practical ability to handle financial matters. The document should also include clear instructions and any limitations you wish to impose. Regular review of the appointed agent and auxiliary documents helps maintain continuity should circumstances change.
Trusts designed for beneficiaries with special needs can protect eligibility for public benefits while providing supplemental support that enhances quality of life. A special needs trust holds assets for the beneficiary’s benefit without disqualifying them from means-tested programs such as Medi-Cal or Supplemental Security Income, because the trust assets are not counted as the beneficiary’s personal resources when correctly structured. These trusts can be tailored to cover housing, education, therapy, or other supplemental needs that public benefits may not fully provide. Creating and funding a special needs trust requires careful drafting to comply with eligibility rules and to coordinate with government benefits. The trust should include clear instructions for distributions and a responsible trustee who understands both the beneficiary’s needs and the legal constraints, ensuring that trust funds support the beneficiary without jeopardizing essential public assistance.
If someone dies without a valid will in California, state intestacy laws determine how assets are distributed among surviving relatives. These rules prioritize spouses, children, and other close relatives and do not account for personal wishes like charitable gifts or specific sentimental bequests. Additionally, minor children may lack a nominated guardian, which can leave that decision to the court. Dying intestate can also lead to delays and potentially higher administrative costs for the family during estate settlement. To avoid these outcomes, creating at least basic testamentary documents and designating guardianship for minors is advisable. Even when a will is used, coordinating beneficiary designations and considering a trust for assets you wish to pass outside probate can provide greater control and privacy for your distribution intentions.
Many people choose to serve as their own trustee while they are capable, then name a trusted successor trustee to take over if they become unable to manage affairs or after death. Serving as your own trustee lets you retain control of assets during life, and naming a successor provides continuity. However, some circumstances—such as lack of local trusted persons, complex assets, or potential conflicts among beneficiaries—may make naming a professional trustee or a trusted third party a practical choice for successor duties. When selecting a successor trustee, consider availability, willingness to serve, and administrative skills. Naming successor agents in your powers of attorney and health directives with backup choices helps ensure someone can step in reliably. Clear instructions in trust documents and communication with chosen fiduciaries reduce the burden and confusion when they must act.
A pour-over will is commonly used with a revocable living trust to ensure any assets inadvertently left outside the trust are transferred into it at death. The will directs that such assets be poured over into the trust so they will be administered according to the trust’s terms, providing a safety net for assets not transferred during life. While the pour-over will still goes through probate for those particular assets, the trust remains the primary mechanism for managing distribution and administration. Using a pour-over will simplifies planning by allowing most assets to be managed through the trust while ensuring nothing is unintentionally left without direction. It’s important to combine the will with active trust funding steps so that fewer items are subject to probate in the first place.
To ensure healthcare wishes are followed, prepare an advance health care directive that names a health care agent and clearly states your treatment preferences, including choices about life-sustaining care when appropriate. A HIPAA authorization should accompany the directive so named agents can access medical records and communicate with providers. Together these documents guide clinicians and family members about treatments you would or would not want and empower the designated agent to act when you cannot communicate. Communicating your wishes with family and the appointed agent reduces confusion and helps align decisions. Keep copies of the directive with your primary care provider and hospital admission paperwork, and provide copies to the named agent so they can present them quickly in a medical emergency.
Whether an estate plan reduces estate taxes depends on the size of the estate and applicable tax laws. For most estates under current federal and state thresholds, comprehensive planning focuses primarily on avoiding probate, protecting beneficiaries, and addressing incapacity. For larger estates, specific tax planning strategies such as irrevocable trusts and other vehicles may be used to manage estate tax exposure and preserve family wealth across generations. Because tax laws and thresholds change, planning that aims to reduce taxes should be tailored to current law and to the client’s long-term objectives. Coordination with financial and tax professionals is often advisable when implementing advanced strategies that affect estate tax consequences.
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