Planning for the future and protecting your family’s assets are priorities for many Crestline residents. The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman help individuals and families across San Bernardino County create practical estate plans tailored to their needs, including trusts, wills, powers of attorney and health care directives. This introduction explains the documents we prepare and how those tools work together to provide peace of mind. Whether you are starting a basic plan or addressing more complex family or financial circumstances, understanding your options is the first step toward securing your legacy and protecting those you care about.
Estate planning often involves choices about how assets are held and transferred, who will manage affairs if you cannot, and how to provide for loved ones after you are gone. Many clients come to us with questions about revocable living trusts, pour-over wills, and other instruments tailored to California law. This paragraph outlines how we approach each matter: by listening to your circumstances, explaining potential legal implications, and preparing documents that reflect your intentions. Our goal is to create clear, practical plans that reduce uncertainty, minimize probate complications, and make transitions easier for family members during difficult times.
A thoughtful estate plan does more than name beneficiaries. It clarifies how assets should be managed and distributed, assigns decision-makers for financial and health matters, and can reduce the need for court involvement after incapacity or death. For families in Crestline, these documents help maintain privacy, ease administrative burdens, and protect vulnerable loved ones, including children or individuals with special needs. Proper planning also addresses ownership of local property, retirement accounts, and life insurance, helping to avoid disputes and ensure that your wishes are carried out efficiently and respectfully.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman assists clients with a wide range of estate planning matters from our San Jose office while serving communities throughout California, including Crestline. We prepare revocable living trusts, wills, powers of attorney and other core documents, and we guide clients through decisions that affect family, assets, and long-term care planning. Our approach emphasizes clear communication and practical solutions tailored to individual circumstances. We work with clients to draft documents that reflect their values, coordinate with financial advisors where appropriate, and keep plans up to date as laws and family situations change.
Estate planning encompasses a set of legal tools designed to manage your affairs now and after death. Key documents include a revocable living trust to hold assets and avoid probate, a pour-over will to catch assets not transferred to the trust, powers of attorney for financial decision-making, and advance health care directives to specify medical wishes. Each document serves a distinct role, and together they create a coordinated plan that addresses incapacity, tax considerations, and the orderly transfer of property. Understanding how these instruments interact is essential for creating an efficient and reliable plan tailored to your needs.
Clients often ask about the timing and practical steps involved in establishing an estate plan. The process typically begins with an intake meeting to gather information about assets, family dynamics, and goals. From there we draft documents that reflect your intentions and review them with you to ensure clarity. Once signed and properly funded, a trust and supporting documents become the operational framework for managing and distributing assets. We also discuss how to keep plans current through periodic reviews, and how life events such as marriage, divorce, births, or changes in financial circumstances can affect planning choices.
A revocable living trust is a document that holds title to assets and provides instructions for management during life and distribution on death, helping to avoid probate. A last will and testament names an executor and directs distribution of assets not placed in a trust, while a pour-over will works alongside a trust to transfer overlooked assets. Financial powers of attorney appoint an agent to handle finances if you are incapacitated. An advance health care directive states medical preferences and nominates a health care agent. Each document plays a role in a coordinated plan that protects interests and reduces legal uncertainty.
An effective estate plan balances clear instructions, appropriate document selection, and proper asset titling. The process includes collecting financial records, identifying beneficiaries and fiduciaries, drafting documents tailored to California law, and funding trusts by retitling assets where needed. Additional filings or certifications may be recommended for certain trusts or retirement accounts. We explain timelines, signatures and notary requirements, and steps to ensure documents are accessible to those who will need them. Regular reviews are part of maintaining a plan that adapts to legal changes and evolving family or financial circumstances.
Understanding common terms helps clients make informed decisions. This section defines frequently used phrases and documents so you can better engage in planning conversations. Definitions cover trusts, wills, powers of attorney, health care directives, beneficiary designations, probate, trust funding, pour-over wills, and more. Clear definitions help demystify the process and enable you to choose the right provisions for your family. If additional questions arise, those can be addressed during a tailored consultation to ensure your plan reflects your objectives and complies with California rules.
A revocable living trust is a legal arrangement that holds your assets under a trust name while you are alive and specifies how those assets are managed and distributed upon incapacity or death. The trust is ‘revocable’ because the grantor can change or revoke its terms during lifetime. Trusts can simplify asset transfer, avoid probate for assets properly funded into the trust, and provide continuity of management if you become incapacitated. Trusts are commonly used in California to provide privacy and to streamline administration for beneficiaries, while allowing flexibility to accommodate life changes.
A financial power of attorney is a document that authorizes a chosen agent to manage financial affairs if you are unable to do so. The scope can be limited or broad, depending on your preferences, and it can take effect immediately or only upon incapacity. This arrangement helps ensure timely bill payment, asset management, and other financial decisions without court-appointed guardianship. Choosing a trusted agent and providing clear guidance reduces confusion and enables effective handling of your financial matters, protecting assets and preserving your intent during periods when you cannot act for yourself.
A last will and testament is a legal document that specifies how assets not held in trust should be distributed after death and names an executor to manage the estate administration. Wills may also include guardianship nominations for minor children, instructions for final arrangements, and directions for specific bequests. In California, wills that go through probate are subject to court oversight, which can increase time and cost compared with trust-based transfers. A will remains an important component of many plans, especially as a safety net to address any assets that were not transferred into a trust during lifetime.
An advance health care directive records your medical treatment preferences and appoints a health care agent to make decisions if you cannot speak for yourself. It may include choices about life-sustaining treatment, pain management, organ donation, and other personal medical matters. The directive provides clear guidance to medical providers and family members, helping ensure your health care wishes are followed. It complements durable powers of attorney for finances by addressing health-related issues and reducing uncertainty during critical moments, allowing your appointed decision-maker to act in line with your stated preferences.
Choosing between a limited approach and a comprehensive estate plan depends on the complexity of your assets and your family situation. A limited approach may involve a simple will and basic powers of attorney and may suit those with straightforward asset ownership and clear beneficiary designations. A comprehensive plan typically includes a trust, pour-over will, detailed powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. This paragraph outlines the practical differences, focusing on probate avoidance, continuity of administration, privacy, and potential long-term benefits, helping you decide which approach aligns best with your goals and local property considerations.
A limited estate plan can be appropriate when assets are few, ownership is straightforward, and beneficiary designations cover retirement and insurance accounts. Individuals with modest estates, no real property, and uncomplicated family circumstances may find that a will and powers of attorney meet immediate needs without the time and expense required to form and fund a trust. This approach still requires careful attention to beneficiary designations and coordination with financial institutions to avoid unintended outcomes, and it offers a straightforward path for those seeking a practical, cost-effective planning solution.
When family relationships are harmonious and assets can transfer directly through beneficiary designations or joint ownership, a limited plan may suffice. This option reduces paperwork and can be quicker to put in place, while still addressing incapacity through powers of attorney and health directives. It is important to consider potential future changes in family or financial circumstances, so even limited plans benefit from scheduled reviews. For those prioritizing simplicity and low administrative needs, this approach strikes a balance between preparedness and practical investment of time and resources.
A comprehensive estate plan that includes a revocable living trust can minimize the estate’s exposure to probate court and preserve family privacy by transferring assets directly to beneficiaries under the trust’s terms. Probate can be time-consuming and public, which some families prefer to avoid. A trust also provides continuity of management in the event of incapacity, allowing a successor trustee to step in quickly. For those with real property, multiple accounts, or concerns about public administration, a trust-centered plan offers practical advantages for smoother transitions and greater discretion.
When assets include real estate, business interests, retirement accounts, or there are blended family considerations and beneficiaries with special needs, a comprehensive plan provides tools to address those complexities. Trust provisions can create tailored distribution schedules, protect assets from mismanagement, and provide for care of beneficiaries who require ongoing oversight. Customized planning can also reduce the risk of disputes by setting clear instructions and naming fiduciaries. In such cases, investing time in a detailed plan helps ensure long-term clarity and protection for all involved.
Adopting a comprehensive approach often reduces delays and court involvement after death by placing assets in a trust and updating titling and beneficiary designations. This approach supports quicker access to assets for family members, continuity in financial management during incapacity, and clearer directions for distribution. It also helps ensure that children and other beneficiaries receive what you intend, according to schedules or conditions you set, and can provide protections for those with special financial needs without surrendering flexibility during your lifetime.
A comprehensive plan also promotes peace of mind by documenting decisions about health care, end-of-life preferences, and financial authority. Clear naming of decision-makers reduces family uncertainty and limits the potential for disagreements. By coordinating retirement accounts, insurance policies, and property ownership within a holistic plan, you reduce administrative complexity and help ensure that your wishes are implemented efficiently. Periodic reviews keep the plan aligned with changes in laws, finances, and family circumstances so it remains reliable and effective over time.
One major benefit is the ability to designate who will manage financial matters and trust assets if you become unable to act. A comprehensive plan ensures that a successor trustee or agent can step in seamlessly to pay bills, manage investments, and protect property without court intervention. This continuity preserves asset value and reduces stress for family members who otherwise would face administrative hurdles. Careful drafting and clear instructions in trust and power of attorney documents enable practical, immediate action that aligns with your priorities and promotes financial stability during challenging times.
Comprehensive planning can establish provisions that address the specific needs of vulnerable beneficiaries, such as minor children or an adult with disabilities. Trust arrangements may include distribution schedules, spending guidelines, and oversight mechanisms to protect assets and ensure funds are used as intended. These measures reduce the likelihood of misuse and create a structured approach to long-term support. By planning ahead, families can create safeguards that balance current needs with future security, enabling responsible stewardship of assets intended to benefit those who depend on them.
Begin your planning by compiling a comprehensive inventory of assets, account information, and current beneficiary designations. Include real estate, retirement accounts, life insurance, bank accounts, and any business interests. Identifying beneficiaries, contingent beneficiaries, and potential guardians for minor children clarifies decision-making when drafting documents. Having this information at hand streamlines the drafting process and reduces the risk of overlooked assets. It also provides a solid foundation for discussions about trusts, powers of attorney, and whether a pour-over will is necessary to capture any assets not retitled prior to your death.
Store estate planning documents in a secure yet accessible location, and ensure trusted fiduciaries know where to find them. Periodic reviews are important following life events such as marriage, divorce, births, deaths, or significant changes in assets. Legal and tax changes can also affect the operation of documents, so regular check-ins keep your plan current and effective. Consider scheduling reviews every few years or when major changes occur to confirm that trust funding, beneficiary designations, and fiduciary appointments continue to align with your goals and family circumstances.
Establishing an estate plan addresses immediate practical needs such as naming decision-makers for health care and finances, as well as long-term goals like property transfer and supporting loved ones. For homeowners and account holders in Crestline, planning reduces the likelihood of probate delays, clarifies tax and administrative responsibilities, and supports orderly management of assets. It also provides guidance for family members during times of incapacity or loss, easing emotional burdens by removing uncertainty about who should act and what decisions should be made on behalf of a loved one.
People often choose to plan after major life events or when they want to protect vulnerable beneficiaries and provide clear instructions for asset management. For some, planning ensures that property remains within the family or is distributed according to specific wishes rather than default state rules. Others focus on minimizing administrative burdens or ensuring privacy. A tailored plan helps align legal documents with personal values and financial goals, enabling individuals to make informed choices that protect their families and preserve their intended legacy through clear, well-drafted provisions.
Many circumstances lead people to seek estate planning: acquiring real estate or significant assets, becoming a parent, caring for a family member with special needs, or planning for potential incapacity. Transitions such as retirement, remarriage, or the death of a spouse also prompt a review of plans. In each case, planning provides a structured way to address ownership, decision-making authority, and long-term support for beneficiaries. Taking action early helps ensure that documents are in place before they are needed, reducing stress and uncertainty for family members during critical moments.
When you own real property, multiple bank or investment accounts, or business interests, planning becomes essential to coordinate transfers and avoid complications. Trusts can hold property and provide instructions that avoid probate and facilitate management if you are unable to act. Retitling assets into a trust and coordinating beneficiary designations on accounts ensures that assets pass according to your plan. These measures help keep transactions private, reduce administrative delays, and provide clear paths for beneficiaries to receive assets without unnecessary court intervention.
Parents and guardians often plan to ensure care for minor children in the event of death or incapacity. A will can nominate guardians, and trusts can hold assets for children under terms you set, such as age thresholds or distribution schedules. This planning helps prevent disputes and provides a framework for long-term financial support. Clear instructions about guardianship and financial provisions give families confidence that children’s needs will be met, and that appointed fiduciaries have the authority to manage funds responsibly on behalf of young beneficiaries.
For beneficiaries who receive government benefits or have ongoing care needs, a specially tailored trust can protect eligibility for benefits while providing supplemental support. A special needs trust or similar arrangement allows funds to be used for quality-of-life expenses that do not jeopardize public benefits. Planning in advance ensures that appropriate fiduciaries are named and distribution guidelines are clear. These protections create a sustainable financial structure that supports the beneficiary’s long-term well-being while maintaining access to essential services and programs.
Our firm provides estate planning services that address asset protection, incapacity planning, and thoughtful distributions for families in Crestline and nearby communities. We prepare revocable living trusts, pour-over wills, powers of attorney, advance health care directives, and other documents tailored to California law. The process begins with a careful review of your assets and goals, followed by drafting and execution of documents designed to operate smoothly when needed. We aim to make planning accessible, practical, and aligned with your personal priorities so your family can rely on clear instructions during a difficult time.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman offer a practical, client-centered approach to estate planning for individuals and families across California. We focus on creating straightforward, well-drafted documents that work within California rules and reflect each client’s priorities. Our practice emphasizes careful listening, clear explanations, and drafting that anticipates questions family members may face. Clients appreciate personalized attention and a commitment to building plans that reduce administrative burdens and clarify decision-making for those left to manage affairs in times of incapacity or after death.
We assist with a broad range of documents, including revocable living trusts, pour-over wills, financial powers of attorney, advance health care directives, and various trust types such as special needs trusts and irrevocable life insurance trusts. Each plan is tailored to address family dynamics and asset structures while considering tax and administrative implications. Our team works to coordinate beneficiary designations and trust funding to make sure documents operate as intended, and we encourage periodic reviews to adapt plans to life changes and changes in law.
Clients can expect clear guidance on practical matters like funding a trust, naming fiduciaries, and preparing guardianship nominations when appropriate. We explain how different documents interact and offer recommendations for protecting vulnerable beneficiaries and minimizing court involvement. Our goal is to provide reliable, practical planning solutions so you can make informed decisions. We also provide follow-up support to ensure documents remain current and accessible, helping families preserve their intentions and reduce uncertainty when decisions must be made.
Our process begins with a thorough intake to understand assets, family relationships, and goals. We gather documentation, discuss available planning tools, and outline recommended documents and strategies that align with California rules. Drafts are prepared and reviewed together to ensure clarity and accuracy. After signing, we provide guidance on funding trusts and coordinating beneficiary forms. We also advise on safekeeping and periodic reviews to keep the plan current. This structured approach helps clients complete practical plans that function smoothly when they are needed most.
The initial meeting focuses on gathering relevant information about assets, family structure, and planning goals. We ask about real estate, retirement accounts, insurance policies, business interests, and beneficiaries to identify potential planning needs. This conversation helps us recommend whether a trust, will, or other instruments are appropriate and clarifies priorities such as guardianship nominations, distribution timing, and protections for vulnerable beneficiaries. Accurate information at this stage enables efficient drafting and reduces the need for revisions later in the process.
Collecting documentation about assets and current beneficiary designations helps reveal gaps or inconsistencies in existing arrangements. We review account ownership, property deeds, life insurance beneficiaries, and retirement plan designations to determine what transfers are necessary for effective trust funding. This ensures that your plan will operate as intended and reduces surprises later. Attention to detail at this stage prevents assets from being unintentionally excluded from a trust or distributed contrary to your wishes.
During the intake we discuss your priorities for asset distribution, medical decision-making, and who should serve as trustees, agents, and guardians. Clear choices about fiduciaries reduce future confusion and allow us to draft documents that align with your values. We explore contingency plans in case the chosen fiduciaries are unavailable and discuss naming alternates. These decisions form the backbone of the plan and provide strong guidance for those who will act on your behalf.
After collecting information, we prepare draft documents tailored to your goals and California law. Drafts typically include a revocable living trust when appropriate, corresponding pour-over will, financial powers of attorney, and advance health care directives. We review drafts with you to ensure clarity, explain how provisions will operate in practice, and suggest refinements to address family dynamics or tax considerations. This collaborative review allows for revisions before final execution, ensuring documents accurately reflect your intentions and practical needs.
Trust and will documents are drafted to coordinate with asset ownership and beneficiary designations. The trust includes instructions for management during incapacity and distribution at death, while the pour-over will captures any assets not transferred to the trust. Drafting considers California-specific rules and includes provisions to address potential family disputes and administrative matters. We aim to create clear, accessible language that guides fiduciaries and reduces the risk of misunderstanding among beneficiaries when the documents are implemented.
Powers of attorney and advance health care directives are prepared to name agents and provide specific instructions for financial and medical decision-making. We discuss the scope and timing of authority, whether the documents should be durable, and any limitations you wish to impose. Clear directives help agents act confidently during times of incapacity and reduce the need for court involvement. We also explain how these documents work alongside the trust and will to form a complete and consistent plan.
The final step includes signing documents according to California requirements, funding trusts by retitling assets where appropriate, and providing guidance on beneficiary forms and document storage. Proper execution and funding are essential for documents to operate as intended. After the plan is in place, we recommend periodic reviews to update documents for life changes, new assets, or legal developments. Ongoing attention ensures that your estate plan continues to reflect your wishes and functions smoothly when relied upon by nominated fiduciaries or family members.
Signing and notarizing documents according to state requirements confirm their validity and help avoid challenges later. We explain the process for witnesses and notaries in California for wills and advise on any additional formalities needed for certain trust documents. Proper execution helps ensure that courts and financial institutions recognize the documents when actions are required. We also provide instructions for distributing copies to trusted fiduciaries and for securely storing originals so they are accessible when needed.
Funding a trust typically requires retitling assets, updating deeds, and confirming beneficiary designations that align with the trust plan. We guide clients through these administrative steps and coordinate with financial institutions or title companies as needed. Ensuring that assets are properly transferred into the trust reduces the risk of probate and ensures that the trust’s instructions will control. We follow up to confirm funding steps are complete and advise on storage and access so fiduciaries can promptly carry out their duties when the time comes.
A revocable living trust is a document that holds title to certain assets and provides instructions for management and distribution during your lifetime and after death. Unlike a simple will, a properly funded trust can allow assets to transfer to beneficiaries without probate, which can save time and reduce public administration. The grantor retains the ability to modify or revoke the trust while alive, giving flexibility to adapt the plan as circumstances change. Because it can include provisions for incapacity, a trust makes it easier for a successor trustee to step in and manage affairs without court appointment. For families, a living trust provides a clearer path for asset management and distribution. Trust terms can include specific schedules for distributions, protections for beneficiaries who need oversight, and instructions for managing property or business interests. Privacy is another advantage, as trust administration typically avoids the public probate process. These practical benefits can reduce stress for surviving family members and provide a structured mechanism to carry out your wishes with continuity and clarity when transitions occur.
Choosing who will manage your affairs involves selecting individuals you trust to make decisions in your best interests and follow your instructions. Financial powers of attorney allow an agent to handle finances, while a successor trustee under a trust manages assets placed into the trust. Consider the person’s reliability, financial judgment, availability, and willingness to serve, and name alternates in case the primary choice is unavailable. Clear, written instructions and periodic conversations can help ensure the appointed person understands your priorities and how you want matters handled. In addition to personal qualities, think about the practical demands of the role. Managing complex assets or coordinating with financial and medical professionals can be time-consuming, so selecting someone capable of fulfilling these responsibilities is important. Discuss the appointment with the prospective fiduciary to ensure they accept the role. Where appropriate, professional fiduciaries or third-party trustees can be considered to provide administrative continuity, especially for more complex estates or long-term trust administration needs.
A properly drafted and funded revocable living trust can avoid the probate process for assets that have been transferred into the trust during the grantor’s lifetime. In California, property titled in the trust passes according to the trust terms without court probate administration, which can save time and keep family matters private. It is important to retitle deeds, update account ownership, and align beneficiary designations so that assets are controlled by the trust rather than passing through probate. However, not all assets are transferred into a trust automatically, and some items may still be subject to probate if they are not properly funded or if beneficiary designations conflict with trust instructions. A pour-over will is often used as a backup to capture assets inadvertently left out of the trust, but those assets may still go through probate before transferring to the trust. Regular review and careful coordination of asset titling and designations help ensure the trust functions as intended to minimize probate exposure.
Parents should prepare several core documents to protect minor children, including a will that names guardians for children and a trust to manage assets left for the children’s benefit. Naming a guardian in a will is important because it provides a parent’s choice about who should care for the children if both parents are unable to do so. A trust can hold and manage assets for minor children according to instructions you set, such as distribution ages or conditions to protect funds until children reach maturity. In addition to guardianship nominations, powers of attorney for medical and financial matters ensure that trusted adults can step in to make decisions or manage affairs temporarily. Clear instructions and appointed fiduciaries reduce uncertainty and the need for court-appointed guardianship, helping ensure continuity of care and financial support. Discussing these choices with nominated guardians and keeping documents updated as circumstances change will improve their effectiveness when needed.
Reviewing your estate plan every few years and after major life events is recommended to ensure documents continue to reflect your wishes. Events such as marriage, divorce, births, deaths, significant changes in assets, or relocation can all affect the suitability of named fiduciaries and beneficiary designations. Laws and financial rules also evolve, so periodic reviews help identify necessary adjustments to maintain the plan’s effectiveness and alignment with current objectives. Routine maintenance includes confirming that trusts are funded, beneficiary designations remain accurate, and appointed fiduciaries are still appropriate and willing to serve. Scheduling periodic check-ins allows you to address new property acquisitions, changes in family dynamics, or new legal considerations. Keeping documents current helps avoid unintended outcomes and ensures that your estate plan reliably directs asset management and distribution when needed.
Yes, a properly drafted trust can be structured to provide for beneficiaries who receive government benefits without jeopardizing their eligibility. Special needs trusts and similar arrangements can hold funds for supplemental needs, allowing payments for housing, education, therapy, or personal items while preserving access to essential public benefits. These trusts are tailored to avoid direct payments that would count as income for means-tested programs and help ensure long-term support for a beneficiary’s quality of life. Drafting such trusts requires careful language to comply with program rules and coordination with other planning documents. Naming trustees with the judgment to manage distributions responsibly is important, and provisions can be included to address circumstances over time. By planning in advance, families can provide added financial resources for a loved one while maintaining eligibility for public programs that provide vital services and support.
Funding a trust typically involves retitling assets into the trust’s name, updating deed records for real property, and changing account ownership or beneficiary designations where appropriate. For bank and investment accounts, institutions often require specific forms or documentation showing the trust as the account holder or beneficiary. Retirement accounts require special consideration because beneficiary designations determine how those assets will pass; coordinating those designations with trust objectives is a key step in funding. The funding process can vary depending on the asset type. Real estate requires deed transfers, while business interests may require amendments to ownership documents. Proper funding ensures the trust can accomplish its purpose and reduces the chance that assets will end up in probate. We assist clients by identifying which assets should be transferred, preparing necessary documents, and working with financial institutions to complete required steps for seamless implementation.
Advance health care directives allow you to express your medical care preferences and designate a health care agent to make decisions if you cannot communicate them yourself. The document typically addresses life-sustaining treatments, resuscitation preferences, pain management, and organ donation. Providing clear guidance helps medical providers and family members follow your wishes, and naming a trusted agent ensures someone can advocate for you when you are unable to do so. In practice, these directives are presented to medical professionals and stored with your medical records and with trusted family members. The appointed agent is empowered to consult with healthcare providers and make decisions consistent with your stated desires. It is helpful to discuss your preferences with the chosen agent so they understand your values and can represent your wishes confidently during critical medical situations.
A pour-over will is used in conjunction with a trust to ensure that any assets not transferred to the trust during your lifetime are directed into the trust at death. While a pour-over will provides a safety net, assets that pass under the will may still be subject to probate before they transfer into the trust. Therefore, a pour-over will helps catch oversights but does not replace the need to fund the trust proactively for probate avoidance purposes. Including a pour-over will as part of a coordinated plan helps ensure your intentions are fulfilled even if some property remains outside the trust at death. It is most effective when combined with careful funding practices and periodic reviews to minimize reliance on probate. The document also can name an executor to manage assets passing under the will and facilitate a smoother transfer into the trust following required court procedures.
Guardianship nominations are often included in wills to designate who should care for minor children if parents are unable to do so. Naming a guardian provides clear direction to the court and reduces uncertainty about parental intent. The nomination should be accompanied by financial provisions, typically through a trust, to ensure that the guardian has resources to manage the child’s care and that funds are distributed according to parents’ wishes for education, health, and general welfare. Beyond nominations, related planning includes selecting backup guardians, specifying the guardian’s powers and limitations, and preparing trusts to hold and manage assets for the child. Discussing the appointment with prospective guardians helps confirm their willingness to serve. This planning protects the child’s well-being and provides a structured framework for both care and financial support in the event that parents cannot fulfill their roles.
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