At the Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman we help Pajaro and Monterey County families plan for the future with clear, practical estate planning documents. Whether you are considering a revocable living trust, a last will and testament, powers of attorney, or health care directives, our office provides personalized planning that reflects your goals and family situation. We explain options in plain language, outline likely steps, and make sure documents are drafted to work well under California law. Call our office at 408-528-2827 to discuss how we can help you preserve family assets and provide instructions for incapacity or death.
Estate planning is about more than documents; it is about peace of mind and protecting the people you care for. For Pajaro residents, that can include planning for property in Monterey County, naming guardians for minor children, arranging for care of a family member with disabilities, or providing for pets. Our approach focuses on practical, durable solutions such as revocable living trusts, pour-over wills, and health care directives that integrate with retirement and life insurance planning. We work with you to review current holdings, beneficiary designations, and family dynamics so the plan you use is reliable and actionable when needed.
A thoughtful estate plan helps avoid delays and confusion at an already difficult time. For people in Pajaro, having clear trusts and wills can reduce the need for court proceedings, speed asset transfers, and minimize stress for family members. Documents such as powers of attorney and advance health care directives allow designated agents to make financial and medical decisions if you cannot. Proper estate planning also allows for orderly distribution of retirement accounts, real property, and personal effects while addressing tax considerations and creditor protections when appropriate. Ultimately, a plan provides control over how your affairs are handled and who receives responsibility.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman serve clients throughout Silicon Valley and Monterey County from a San Jose practice that focuses on practical estate planning and family-oriented solutions. We prepare comprehensive estate plans including living trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and advanced health care directives, and we assist with trust administration and probate when necessary. Our team emphasizes clear communication, careful document drafting, and responsiveness to client questions. We aim to build lasting relationships with clients so plans stay current as circumstances change and families grow or shift over time.
Estate planning involves a set of legal documents and decisions designed to control what happens to assets and personal affairs during incapacity and after death. For Pajaro residents, this process often starts by identifying assets, beneficiaries, and potential guardians for minor children. Core documents typically include a revocable living trust to hold property, a last will and testament to handle residual matters, financial powers of attorney to manage finances, and advance health care directives to document medical preferences. Proper planning ensures that your intentions are clearly stated and that trusted people can act on your behalf when necessary.
A complete estate planning process also considers beneficiary designations on retirement plans, life insurance policies, and bank accounts, which may override provisions in wills if not coordinated. In Monterey County, property ownership forms affect probate exposure and transfer methods, so titles and deeds need review. Additionally, some clients choose supplemental documents like irrevocable life insurance trusts, special needs trusts, or pour-over wills to address specific objectives. The goal is to create a cohesive plan that minimizes administrative burdens and provides clarity for heirs and fiduciaries.
When discussing estate planning we use several common terms: a revocable living trust is a document that can hold assets during your lifetime and provide instructions for distribution after death; a will directs distribution of assets not held in trust and can nominate guardians for minors; a power of attorney appoints someone to manage financial matters if you are incapacitated; and an advanced health care directive records your medical treatment preferences and designates a health care agent. Understanding these core documents helps clients choose the combination that best fits family circumstances and financial objectives.
Creating an effective estate plan typically follows a sequence of steps: gathering information about assets and beneficiaries, discussing goals and family dynamics, drafting documents tailored to those goals, reviewing and revising drafts, and completing signatures and funding of trusts. Trust funding—transferring assets to the trust—often requires updating deeds, beneficiary designations, and account registrations so the trust functions as intended. Ongoing review is important when life events occur, such as births, deaths, marriage, divorce, or significant changes in asset values. Clear record-keeping and communication with designated agents help ensure the plan works smoothly when needed.
Below are concise definitions of terms frequently used in estate planning discussions. These entries explain common documents, fiduciary roles, and planning tools to help Pajaro residents make informed choices. Understanding these terms will make consultations more efficient and help clarify which documents should be prioritized based on your personal and financial situation. If a particular term raises questions, we address details during the planning process so you feel comfortable with how the plan will operate in practice.
A revocable living trust is a legal arrangement that holds title to assets during the grantor’s lifetime and sets out distribution instructions upon incapacity or death. It is flexible because the grantor can modify or revoke it while alive. Funding the trust by retitling property and changing account registrations ensures those assets pass according to the trust terms without requiring probate. The trust also names a successor trustee to manage trust assets if the grantor becomes unable to do so. This tool is commonly used to provide continuity of management and to simplify asset transfer for beneficiaries.
A financial power of attorney appoints an agent to handle banking, bill payments, investments, and other financial affairs on your behalf if you become unable to do so. It can be effective immediately or spring into effect upon incapacity, depending on how it is drafted. This document should be drafted carefully to limit or allow specific powers and to provide guidance to the agent. Choosing a trustworthy agent and providing copies to financial institutions as needed can prevent interruptions in managing household finances and business matters when challenge arises.
A last will and testament expresses final wishes for the distribution of property not held in trust and can nominate a personal representative to administer the estate. It also is the instrument typically used to name guardians for minor children. Wills must pass through probate to transfer title for assets that remain in the estate, a process that can take months. Carefully coordinated wills and trusts reduce the amount of property subject to probate and clarify the personal representative’s duties. Regular review ensures that the will reflects current intentions and beneficiary designations.
An advance health care directive documents medical treatment preferences and names a health care agent to make health decisions if you cannot communicate. It may include instructions regarding life-sustaining treatments, palliative care, and organ donation preferences. This directive helps medical providers and family members understand your values and reduces the burden of decision-making on loved ones during stressful times. Having a signed directive available to treating physicians and hospitals is important to ensure your wishes are followed and that the appointed agent has the authority to act on your behalf.
When deciding between a limited set of documents and a comprehensive plan, homeowners in Pajaro should weigh the complexity of assets, family needs, and the potential for future changes. A limited approach might include only a will and basic powers of attorney, which can be appropriate for simple estates or when clients prefer minimal legal intervention. In contrast, a comprehensive plan often uses a living trust and related documents to provide seamless management and distribution of assets. The choice depends on goals for privacy, speed of transfer, administrative convenience, and how much time you want to invest in updating the plan over time.
A limited plan can be suitable when a person’s asset base is small, titled appropriately with beneficiary designations, and family arrangements are straightforward. For example, if retirement accounts and life insurance policies name beneficiaries and there is a single primary heir, a full trust may add complexity without providing significant additional benefit. In such situations, a will combined with durable powers of attorney and an advance health care directive can cover essential needs without the time and cost associated with drafting and funding a trust. We help clients assess whether a limited plan meets their practical goals.
If an estate has minimal exposure to probate because assets are jointly owned or have payable-on-death designations, a limited set of documents could be adequate. In such cases, the administrative burden on surviving family members will likely be modest, and straightforward documentation can accomplish necessary transfers. Clients with uncomplicated family structures and few real estate holdings often prefer this route to avoid unnecessary legal work. We review asset titles and beneficiary forms to confirm whether a narrow plan will accomplish the intended results without leaving gaps in continuity of management or health care decision-making.
A comprehensive estate plan is often advisable when clients own multiple properties, have business interests, hold retirement accounts with contingent beneficiaries, or wish to provide ongoing management for minors or vulnerable family members. Trust-based plans reduce the need for probate for titled assets, provide clear instructions for management during incapacity, and can facilitate smoother transitions for heirs. When asset ownership spans counties or states, or when assets will fund long-term care or special needs provisions, coordinated trust arrangements and related documents provide predictability and administrative ease for fiduciaries.
When family members require ongoing financial support, a comprehensive plan can include instruments such as special needs trusts, irrevocable arrangements, or life insurance trusts that direct funds while preserving public benefit eligibility or managing tax exposure. Similarly, clients concerned about estate administration costs, creditor claims, or blended family dynamics benefit from trust provisions that clarify distributions and trustee powers. Thoughtful trust drafting can help limit disputes and guide fiduciaries, reducing uncertainty for beneficiaries and providing for long-term oversight where needed.
Comprehensive plans often streamline administration by keeping titled assets in trust, which can avoid court-supervised probate and accelerate distribution to beneficiaries. They provide a mechanism for continuous management if the grantor becomes incapacitated, since successor trustees can act without court appointment. Plans can be tailored to address care for minors, family members with special needs, and pets. In addition, a well-coordinated set of documents clarifies roles and reduces the likelihood of disputes among heirs. Overall, a comprehensive approach offers predictability and practical continuity for families during difficult transitions.
A comprehensive plan also supports strong record-keeping and funding practices that limit administrative oversights. By coordinating beneficiary designations, retirement accounts, and deed transfers, the plan reduces conflicting instructions and unintended probate exposure. Trustees and agents receive clear authority to manage property and address taxes, bills, and maintenance needs without delay. This approach can save time and potentially reduce costs associated with estate administration. Clients who want clear, durable direction for how assets should be managed and distributed often find a comprehensive plan aligns with long-term family and financial goals.
One important benefit of a properly funded trust is minimizing the assets that must pass through probate, which can be time-consuming and public. For Pajaro residents, keeping real property and other titled assets in a living trust helps families avoid the delays that sometimes accompany probate proceedings. This can mean faster access to funds for bills, property maintenance, and ongoing support for survivors. Reducing probate exposure also helps maintain privacy since trust transfers typically do not become part of the public court record, unlike wills that are probated.
Comprehensive plans designate trusted individuals to manage finances and health decisions if incapacity occurs, ensuring continuity in care and asset management. Successor trustees named in a trust can step in quickly to pay bills, manage investments, and preserve property values without waiting for court authorization. Combined with financial powers of attorney and advance health care directives, the plan coordinates who will act and under what circumstances. This reduces family uncertainty and helps your chosen decision makers carry out your instructions with the authority and information they need.
Organizing a clear inventory of assets, account numbers, property deeds, and beneficiary designations streamlines the planning process and reduces confusion later. For Pajaro families, start by listing real property, bank accounts, retirement plans, life insurance policies, and business interests. Note current titles and beneficiaries to determine what must be retitled or updated when creating a trust. Maintaining a central file of key documents and sharing necessary information with appointed agents or trustees helps ensure they can act promptly if needed. Regularly review the inventory to reflect new accounts or changes in ownership.
Life events often require updates to estate planning documents, so schedule reviews after births, adoptions, marriages, divorces, changes in financial circumstances, or significant health events. Regular reviews ensure that your chosen fiduciaries remain willing and able to serve and that distributions reflect current family relationships. For people who relocate or acquire property in different counties or states, updates may be needed to address local legal requirements. These routine check-ins help preserve the effectiveness of your plan and ensure that it continues to meet the objectives you set when it was created.
Starting estate planning now ensures that your wishes are documented while you are able to make clear decisions and name trusted agents. Delaying planning can lead to uncertainty and potential court intervention during times of incapacity or after death. Preparing documents like living trusts, powers of attorney, and health care directives ahead of time reduces stress on family members and provides a roadmap for managing financial and medical choices. Early planning also gives time to coordinate beneficiary designations and to address the tax or long-term care implications of certain assets.
Taking proactive steps helps families protect vulnerable beneficiaries and plan for the care of dependents, including minors and people with disabilities. It can also preserve family property by outlining maintenance responsibilities and funding arrangements for ongoing expenses. For business owners or property holders in Pajaro and Monterey County, planning facilitates seamless succession and administration. By meeting with a trusted attorney to evaluate your unique circumstances, you can create a tailored plan that anticipates foreseeable issues and provides clear instructions for fiduciaries and heirs.
Common circumstances that prompt residents to seek estate planning include the birth of a child, acquisition of real estate, marriage or remarriage, divorce, retirement, significant changes in net worth, and concerns about incapacity or long-term care. Families with a member who has special needs or those who own a business or rental properties also benefit from tailored planning. When beneficiaries live out of state, or when blended family situations raise distribution questions, formalized documents help avoid disputes. Addressing these matters ahead of time reduces emotional and administrative burdens on loved ones later.
Becoming a parent changes priorities and makes it important to appoint guardians and provide for a child’s future. Estate planning documents allow you to name a guardian for minor children and set up trusts to manage funds for their care and education. You can also specify how assets should be used and who will oversee distributions. Planning now protects a child’s financial future and reduces uncertainty in the event of an unexpected illness or death. Clear instructions spare family members from difficult decisions during stressful times and ensure your children are cared for as you intend.
Acquiring real property, whether by purchase or inheritance, adds complexity to an estate because property ownership affects whether assets pass through probate. Updating estate planning documents and titles when you buy or inherit a home helps align ownership with your distribution goals. For couples or co-owners, choices about joint tenancy, community property, or trust ownership have important consequences. Reviewing deeds, mortgages, and insurance coverage as part of an estate plan ensures that the home is protected, that heirs understand maintenance responsibilities, and that transitions proceed smoothly if a transfer becomes necessary.
Health changes often highlight the need for durable powers of attorney and advance health care directives so trusted agents can step in to manage finances and make medical decisions. For those approaching retirement or facing progressive illness, establishing a plan ensures continuity of care and clear guidance for health care providers and family members. Planning ahead also allows for consideration of long-term care funding and potential conservatorship avoidance. Having documents in place reduces uncertainty and supports dignity by documenting personal preferences for care and decision-making authority.
We are here to help Pajaro families with practical estate planning and clear document preparation. Our office assists with trusts, wills, powers of attorney, health care directives, and ancillary documents such as certification of trust, pour-over wills, and HIPAA authorizations. We also prepare trust-related petitions when administration or modification is necessary. Our goal is to make the process straightforward by explaining options, coordinating account changes, and providing durable documents that address both incapacity and distribution. Contact us to arrange a consultation and begin organizing your estate plan for the future.
Clients choose our firm for clear communication and personalized planning that focuses on practical results. We take time to learn about family dynamics, financial holdings, and long-term priorities so the documents we prepare fit real-life situations. For Pajaro residents, we consider local property issues, guardianship needs, and coordination with retirement accounts. Our process emphasizes careful drafting and follow-through to ensure trusts are funded and beneficiary forms are aligned. We strive to make estate planning accessible and understandable at every step of the engagement.
Our firm handles a broad range of estate planning instruments, including revocable living trusts, pour-over wills, powers of attorney, advance health care directives, and various trust arrangements such as irrevocable life insurance trusts or special needs trusts when appropriate. We assist with trust administration and probate matters to provide continuity for families who need guidance. Throughout the relationship we maintain clear timelines, explain likely outcomes, and provide practical checklists for funding and record-keeping to reduce surprises for clients and their successors.
We recognize that each family’s situation is unique, so we offer individualized attention to craft plans that reflect personal values and objectives. Whether the priority is avoiding probate, protecting a vulnerable beneficiary, or ensuring care directives are respected, we draft documents to accomplish those aims while complying with California law. Our approach encourages clients to ask questions and to involve trusted family members or advisors as needed so everyone understands their roles. Scheduling an initial review helps identify priorities and next steps for implementing the plan.
Our process begins with an intake meeting to review assets, family circumstances, and planning goals. We then prepare draft documents for review, make adjustments based on client feedback, and finalize signature-ready forms. After documents are executed, we assist with funding trusts and provide guidance for updating beneficiary designations and deeds. We also supply copies for fiduciaries and advise on record-keeping so trustees and agents can act when needed. Periodic reviews are recommended to keep the plan current as circumstances evolve over time.
The initial stage focuses on understanding your assets, family relationships, and objectives for distribution and incapacity planning. We collect details about real property, bank and investment accounts, retirement plans, insurance policies, business interests, and any prior estate documents. Clients are asked about desired beneficiaries, potential guardians for minors, and preferences for health care and long-term care. This fact-finding enables us to recommend an appropriate structure—whether a trust-based plan, a will-centered approach, or a combination of documents tailored to your needs.
We review asset titles and beneficiary forms to determine what must be retitled or updated to implement the chosen plan. This includes examining property deeds, account registrations, and insurance policies to identify probate exposure and coordination needs. By clarifying ownership, we can advise whether assets should be transferred into a trust or whether beneficiary designations provide sufficient transfer paths. Proper alignment at this stage prevents unintended probate and ensures that distributions reflect the client’s intentions once documents are executed.
Selecting suitable trustees, agents, and personal representatives is a key decision in the planning process. We discuss the responsibilities associated with each role, considerations for successor naming, and how to communicate expectations to those individuals. Choosing people who are willing and able to serve, and naming alternates, provides continuity in case the first choice cannot act. We also discuss compensation and decision-making authority so fiduciaries have clear direction that aligns with the client’s wishes and practical needs.
Once goals and asset structures are clear, we draft the necessary documents and provide them for client review. Drafts typically include a revocable living trust, pour-over will, powers of attorney, advance health care directive, and any specialized trusts requested. We explain the provisions in plain language, suggest practical refinements, and make revisions until the documents reflect the client’s intentions. Our drafting process emphasizes clarity in trustee authorities and distribution conditions to help fiduciaries administer the plan effectively when the time comes.
During the review stage we walk through each document clause to ensure clients understand trustee powers, distribution timing, and any conditions placed on beneficiaries. Revisions can address concerns about control, asset protection strategies, or specific family circumstances. We also confirm that the documents are consistent with beneficiary designations and account titling. This collaborative review reduces ambiguity and helps clients feel confident that the plan will operate as intended when circumstances require trustee or agent action.
Final documents must be signed in accordance with California requirements for valid execution, which may include witness signatures and notarization. We coordinate signing appointments and explain proper handling of original documents and copies. For deeds and trust funding actions, notarization and recording may be necessary. Ensuring execution formalities are observed prevents later challenges to document validity and supports smooth administration. Clients receive guidance on where to keep originals and how to provide copies to trustees, agents, and relevant financial institutions.
After execution, we assist with the trust-funding process by preparing deeds, advising on retitling accounts, and recommending steps to align beneficiary forms with trust objectives. We provide clients with checklists and copies for fiduciaries and discuss next steps for safe-keeping and periodic review. Over time, life events may require updates, so we encourage reviews after significant changes such as marriages, births, property transfers, or beneficiary changes. Ongoing attention helps keep the plan current and ensures documents continue to meet the client’s goals.
Funding the trust may include transferring real property by deed to the trust, changing account registrations, and updating titles for vehicles or investment accounts where appropriate. We prepare sample forms and explain recording procedures for deeds in Monterey County. Proper funding prevents assets from inadvertently remaining outside the trust and subject to probate. We also advise on timing and documentation to make sure transfers are completed cleanly while preserving existing contractual rights and avoiding unintended tax consequences.
A plan should be reviewed periodically to ensure that it reflects current family needs and financial circumstances. Amendments or restatements may be needed when assets change, fiduciaries are replaced, or life events occur. We recommend checking the plan after major events and offer periodic review meetings to make updates efficient. Keeping beneficiary designations and account titles aligned with the estate documents reduces the risk of conflicting instructions and helps your successors administer your affairs with confidence if the need arises.
A trust is a legal arrangement that holds assets and provides instructions for management and distribution, often avoiding probate when properly funded. A living trust is commonly used to provide continuity of management during incapacity and to transfer assets to beneficiaries without court supervision. It names a successor trustee to carry out decisions according to the trust terms. A will, by contrast, becomes operative at death and often requires probate to transfer titled property. Wills are useful for naming guardians for minor children and directing distribution of assets not placed in a trust. Choosing between a trust and a will depends on asset types, privacy concerns, and how quickly you want beneficiaries to receive property. Trusts can simplify administration for successors and maintain privacy, while wills provide a necessary safety net for assets that remain outside trust title. For many clients a combination of documents, including a pour-over will that directs remaining assets into a trust, provides comprehensive coverage and reduces gaps between different transfer mechanisms.
Yes, creating a trust is only the first step; funding the trust means transferring ownership of assets into the trust’s name. This process can include preparing deeds for real property, changing account registrations at financial institutions, and retitling vehicles or business interests where appropriate. Assets left in your personal name may still be subject to probate unless beneficiary designations or joint ownership provide alternative transfer paths. Proper funding is essential to ensure the trust accomplishes its purpose and that successor trustees can manage and distribute assets according to your instructions. Funding can be handled gradually, and some items such as retirement accounts are often left in the original owner’s name with beneficiary designations coordinated with the trust. We provide guidance and checklists to make funding efficient and to avoid common oversights. After funding, regular reviews help confirm that new accounts or property acquisitions are properly aligned with the trust to prevent unintended probate exposure.
Selecting a guardian involves choosing someone you trust to raise your children and manage their day-to-day needs if you are no longer able to do so. Consider factors such as values, parenting style, geographical location, relationship with your children, health, and the guardian’s willingness to serve. You may also name alternate guardians in case your first choice cannot act. Discussing your intentions with potential guardians ahead of time helps ensure they are prepared and willing to accept the responsibilities that come with the role. In addition to naming a guardian in a will, you can provide guidance about financial arrangements and living preferences for your children. Establishing a trust for a minor’s inheritance and specifying distribution terms allows you to control how funds are used for support, education, and health care. Clear instructions reduce uncertainty and help the guardian manage financial resources in the child’s best interests.
Most estate planning documents can be changed while you are alive and competent. Living trusts are revocable and may be amended or restated to reflect changed circumstances, new family members, or updated financial goals. Wills can also be revised through codicils or by creating a new will that expressly revokes prior versions. It is important to follow execution formalities for amendments so they are valid. Periodic review ensures that appointments of fiduciaries and distribution instructions remain aligned with current intentions. Certain irrevocable arrangements are more difficult to alter and may require court approval or consent from beneficiaries. Life events such as marriage, divorce, births, or major asset transfers are common triggers for reviewing and updating plans. Working with counsel during these transitions helps ensure that changes are implemented properly and that documents continue to work together as intended.
If you die without a will in California, state intestacy laws determine who inherits your property and a court will appoint an administrator to handle estate matters. These default rules may not reflect your personal wishes or the practical needs of your family, and the process can be slower and more costly than a planned transfer. Intestacy can also create complications in blended families or when you want specific items to go to particular individuals. Naming guardians for minors is not possible without a will, so guardianship may be decided by a court if no document exists. Creating even a simple estate plan helps ensure your assets are distributed as you intend, provides clear leadership for handling administrative tasks, and allows you to name guardians and fiduciaries. Estate planning can also address privacy concerns because intestate administrations are public court matters, whereas trust-based transfers can often remain private between parties.
Powers of attorney appoint an agent to make financial decisions on your behalf and may be durable so they continue if you become incapacitated. They can be tailored to grant broad authority or limited to specific transactions or durations. The document can take effect immediately or upon a specified event, such as a physician determining incapacity, depending on how it is drafted. Choosing an agent who demonstrates responsibility and maintaining clear records help ensure the agent can manage finances effectively when needed. Health care powers of attorney or advance directives permit a designated person to make medical decisions when you cannot. These documents should be filed with medical providers and copies given to family and the appointed agent. Clear communication about preferences and documentation of wishes reduce stress and help agents make decisions that reflect your values during medical emergencies.
Some estate planning strategies can provide protections from certain creditor claims, but outcomes depend on the type of assets, timing of transfers, and applicable law. For example, properly structured irrevocable trusts may shelter assets in specific circumstances, while revocable trusts generally remain reachable by creditors because the grantor retains control. Long-term care planning often combines insurance, asset reallocation, and legal tools to prepare for potential nursing home costs. Each approach has trade-offs, and careful planning is needed to balance protection with access and control during life. Because protections vary by situation and timing, clients should review asset protection options early and consider how transfers, tax consequences, and eligibility for public benefits may be affected. Legal guidance helps identify strategies that fit family goals while complying with California rules. We evaluate alternatives and explain likely outcomes so clients can make informed decisions about asset protection and long-term care planning.
A pour-over will is designed to work with a living trust by directing any assets not transferred to the trust during your lifetime to be transferred into the trust upon death. It serves as a safety net for property unintentionally omitted from trust funding so those assets are ultimately distributed according to the trust terms. While a pour-over will still typically requires probate to transfer title for assets at death, it helps consolidate your estate plan and ensures intentions are carried out even if funding was incomplete or new assets were acquired shortly before death. Many clients use a pour-over will along with a funded living trust to provide comprehensive coverage. After execution, we review title and beneficiary arrangements to minimize reliance on probate and advise on steps to reduce assets remaining in the estate. Proper coordination between the will and trust simplifies administration and helps ensure beneficiaries receive assets in line with your overall plan.
Review beneficiary designations whenever major life events occur, including marriage, divorce, births, deaths, retirement changes, or acquisition of new assets. Beneficiary forms on retirement accounts and life insurance policies govern who receives those assets directly and may supersede instructions in a will, so keeping them current prevents unintended results. Beneficiary updates should also align with the terms of any trust to avoid conflicts that complicate administration or lead to disputes among heirs. It is also wise to check beneficiary forms periodically for errors, such as outdated names, incorrect account numbers, or ambiguous designations. Confirm that contingent beneficiaries are named and that forms reflect intended percentages where applicable. Regular reviews help ensure distributions proceed smoothly and according to your wishes when the time comes.
To ensure your health care wishes are followed, execute an advance health care directive that documents your treatment preferences and names a health care agent to act for you if you cannot communicate. Provide copies to your physician, local hospitals, and the person you appoint so they are accessible when decisions are needed. Discussing your values and specific preferences with the appointed agent helps them represent your wishes clearly to medical personnel and family members during stressful situations. In addition, consider a HIPAA authorization to allow medical providers to share protected health information with your agent and family, which facilitates informed decision-making. Regularly review these directives as health situations or preferences change, and make sure health care providers have current copies so your stated wishes guide medical care when you cannot speak for yourself.
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