At the Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman we assist Millbrae families and individuals in creating clear, practical estate plans tailored to personal goals and family needs. Our firm helps clients preserve assets, organize distributions, name guardians and healthcare decision makers, and prepare documents that reduce uncertainty and delay after incapacity or death. We draft a range of estate planning instruments including revocable living trusts, wills, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and trust-related documents, ensuring that plans align with California law and the specifics of each client situation in an accessible and understandable way.
Planning ahead provides peace of mind and can prevent family conflict, costly court involvement, or unintentional tax consequences. We work closely with clients to document preferences for property transfer, asset management, and care for minor or vulnerable loved ones. Through thoughtful planning we aim to simplify administration, protect privacy, and preserve more of the estate for intended beneficiaries. Our approach focuses on clear communication, careful drafting, and practical strategies for handling retirement assets, life insurance, business interests, and personal property in a way that reflects clients priorities and Millbrae community considerations.
A properly prepared estate plan does more than distribute assets; it establishes who will make financial and medical decisions if incapacity occurs, names guardians for minor children, and creates efficient paths for asset transfer while minimizing delay and expense. In California, failing to plan can lead to prolonged probate, unexpected tax exposure, and outcomes that differ from the decedent’s intentions. For individuals with retirement accounts, life insurance, or real estate in or near Millbrae, coordinated documents such as trusts and transfer arrangements can preserve continuity, protect beneficiaries, and provide clarity during emotionally difficult times for surviving family members.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman provides estate planning and trust administration services to clients throughout San Mateo County. Our practice emphasizes thoughtful planning, careful document preparation, and responsive client service. We collaborate with financial and tax advisors when needed to create coordinated plans that address retirement accounts, life insurance, real estate, and business interests. Our goal is to craft practical, law-compliant documents that reflect client wishes, reduce potential family disputes, and streamline future administration, all delivered with clear explanations so clients understand the implications of each decision.
Estate planning encompasses a set of legal documents and strategies designed to manage and distribute assets, designate decision makers, and provide care instructions. Common components include revocable living trusts to hold assets during life and facilitate transfers at death, pour-over wills to cover assets left outside a trust, powers of attorney for financial matters, and advance health care directives for medical decisions. Each document serves a distinct purpose and together they form a coordinated plan that addresses incapacity, end-of-life preferences, and the orderly transfer of property to beneficiaries while considering privacy and probate avoidance.
Trusts and wills function differently and are selected based on client priorities. A revocable living trust can help avoid probate and provide continuity of management if the creator becomes incapacitated, while a will is necessary to nominate guardians for minor children and to address items not placed in a trust. Supplemental documents such as powers of attorney and health care directives ensure that trusted individuals can manage finances and medical decisions when a person cannot act for themselves. Proper coordination of beneficiary designations and titled accounts is essential to ensure documents achieve intended results.
A revocable living trust is a private agreement that holds assets for the benefit of the trustmaker and beneficiaries and can be changed during the trustmaker’s lifetime. A last will and testament directs distribution of assets outside a trust, names an executor, and can appoint guardians for minor children. A financial power of attorney authorizes another person to handle banking, investments, and bills, while an advance health care directive designates medical decision makers and spells out treatment preferences. Together these documents provide a framework for managing finances, health care, and legacy decisions in a range of foreseeable circumstances.
Developing an effective estate plan begins with identifying assets, beneficiaries, and decision makers, and documenting client goals for distribution, incapacity planning, and care of dependents. The process typically involves reviewing account ownership and beneficiary designations, preparing trust and will documents, and providing powers of attorney and healthcare directives. For clients with unique needs, additional instruments such as irrevocable life insurance trusts, special needs trusts, or pet trusts may be prepared to address specific goals. After documents are signed, proper funding of trusts and updating of titles or beneficiaries is essential to ensure the plan functions as intended.
This glossary highlights common terms encountered during estate planning conversations to help clients feel more comfortable. Understanding terms like trustee, beneficiary, probate, pour-over will, and durable power of attorney reduces confusion and supports informed decision making. Clear definitions help clients recognize the role each document plays in achieving their objectives, how incapacity planning is handled, and what steps are required to keep a plan current over time. We encourage clients to ask questions so they feel confident about how their plan will work when it matters most.
A revocable living trust is a legal arrangement in which assets are transferred into a trust controlled by the trustmaker during life, with instructions for management and distribution upon death or incapacity. This tool can help avoid probate, provide a mechanism for incapacity planning, and keep the administration process private. The trustmaker typically serves as trustee while capable, retaining control over assets and the ability to amend or revoke the trust. Properly funding the trust and aligning beneficiary designations helps ensure it accomplishes the intended objectives for asset transfer and management.
A financial power of attorney grants a trusted person authority to act on behalf of the principal in financial matters, including paying bills, managing investments, and handling banking transactions. A durable power of attorney remains effective if the principal becomes incapacitated, allowing timely management of assets and obligations. Crafting clear instructions about the scope of authority and naming successor agents helps avoid confusion and ensures continuity. This document is an important part of incapacity planning because it permits responsible individuals to step in and handle daily financial matters without court intervention.
A last will and testament sets out how any property not held in a trust should be distributed at death, names an executor to carry out the will’s terms, and can designate guardians for minor children. Wills typically go through probate, a public court process that oversees the distribution of assets. While a will cannot avoid probate on its own, it remains essential for directing distribution of assets not transferred into a trust and for nominating guardians. Clear drafting and periodic review ensure that a will reflects current wishes and family circumstances.
An advance health care directive records a person’s preferences for medical treatment and designates someone to make healthcare decisions if the person cannot. This document may include instructions about life-sustaining treatment, pain management, and other care preferences, and it helps ensure that medical teams and family members understand the individual’s wishes. Having a directive in place reduces uncertainty during medical crises and provides legal authority for the designated decision maker to speak with providers and consent to or refuse treatments consistent with the principal’s stated values and goals.
Choosing between a limited or comprehensive planning approach depends on asset complexity, family circumstances, and goals. A limited approach may focus on a simple will and basic directives for someone with few assets or straightforward beneficiary designations, while a comprehensive plan coordinates trusts, beneficiary designations, powers of attorney, and incapacity planning to address higher asset levels, business interests, or blended family situations. Comprehensive plans typically require more initial work but can reduce the likelihood of probate, minimize disputes, and provide clearer pathways for management during incapacity and distribution after death.
A limited planning approach may serve individuals whose assets are modest, who have straightforward beneficiary designations, and who do not own complex property or business interests. If most assets pass by beneficiary designation or joint ownership and there are no minor children or special care needs to address, a will combined with powers of attorney and a healthcare directive can provide essential protections without the complexity of trust funding. Regular review remains important to ensure beneficiary designations and account ownership reflect current intentions as life events and assets change over time.
Individuals who are comfortable with the probate process or whose estates are unlikely to face significant probate delays or costs may prefer a limited plan focused on core documents. When privacy concerns are low and there are no specialized needs such as long term care planning or protected inheritance for vulnerable beneficiaries, the simplicity of essential documents can be appealing. Even in limited plans, it is important to prepare durable powers of attorney and healthcare directives to handle incapacity and to periodically confirm that beneficiary designations remain current and aligned with overall intentions.
A comprehensive estate plan is often appropriate when clients own real estate, have significant retirement assets, hold business interests, or wish to provide detailed instructions for distribution that avoid probate and public court processes. Trust-based plans can help transfer assets outside of probate, maintain privacy, and create continuity for management if incapacity occurs. Coordinating account designations, trust funding, and supplemental documents reduces the risk that assets will be subject to a probate court proceeding contrary to the client’s intentions, ensuring a smoother transition for beneficiaries and administrators.
When families include minor children, beneficiaries with disabilities, or blended relationships, a comprehensive plan provides mechanisms to protect inheritances, appoint appropriate guardians, and create tailored trusts that reflect long term care and support objectives. Special needs trusts, irrevocable life insurance trusts, and retirement plan trusts can preserve access to public benefits and manage disbursements over time, while guardianship nominations and trust guidance ensure children are cared for according to the parents wishes. Thoughtful planning reduces the potential for disputes and clarifies responsibilities for those left to carry out the plan.
A coordinated estate plan aligns wills, trusts, beneficiary designations, and incapacity documents to produce predictable outcomes and reduce the administrative burden for loved ones. By addressing both incapacity and death with consistent instructions, a comprehensive plan helps ensure that financial accounts and health care decisions reflect the client’s intentions. It also allows for smoother trust administration, potential avoidance of probate delays, and greater privacy since trust administration generally occurs outside the court system. These advantages can save time and stress for beneficiaries during a difficult period.
Comprehensive planning can also provide continuity in the management of family assets, particularly for business owners or those with complex holdings. Trust arrangements permit ongoing management and protection of assets for beneficiaries while allowing for flexibility in distribution timing and conditions. Detailed documents can reduce the likelihood of litigation by clarifying the decedent’s wishes and providing clear instructions for trustees and executors to follow. Regular reviews and updates keep the plan aligned with changing tax laws, family circumstances, and financial situations, helping preserve the plan’s effectiveness over time.
One of the primary benefits of a trust-centered plan is the potential to avoid the public probate process for assets properly transferred into the trust, which can save time and reduce costs for beneficiaries. Avoiding probate also helps maintain family privacy because trust administration is generally not a matter of public record in the same way probate proceedings are. This can be especially valuable for families who prefer discretion concerning asset distribution, business ownership transitions, or personal matters that they do not want subject to public court filings and potential media attention.
A comprehensive plan includes documents that appoint trusted people to manage finances and healthcare in the event of incapacity, ensuring that paying bills, managing investments, and making medical decisions can continue without delay or court oversight. Trusts provide a mechanism for seamless management of assets if the trustmaker is unable to act, and financial powers of attorney enable agents to handle daily financial matters. This continuity protects the individual’s affairs and reduces the administrative burden on family members at a time when they may be coping with health concerns and emotional strain.
Beneficiary designations on accounts and insurance policies often control where assets pass regardless of a will or trust, so it is essential to review these forms periodically and after major life events. Ensuring that retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and payable-on-death accounts match the overall plan prevents unintended distributions and conflicts between documents. Coordination between account designations and trust arrangements helps ensure assets pass as intended and reduces the need for court involvement. Consulting with a lawyer can help identify accounts that should be retitled or updated to reflect the client’s current wishes.
Open conversations with appointed agents and primary beneficiaries about the general structure and intentions of an estate plan can reduce misunderstandings and minimize the risk of disputes. While detailed figures and private financial information need not be disclosed, explaining the reasons for chosen decision makers and distribution plans helps family members understand expectations and avoids surprises. Preparing your nominated agents by discussing practical matters such as access to important documents and passwords can make transitions smoother if they need to act on your behalf during incapacity or after death.
Estate planning protects personal wishes, provides for loved ones, and helps avoid unnecessary court intervention. Residents of Millbrae and nearby communities benefit from planning that reflects local property ownership patterns, retirement account usage, and family dynamics. Creating a coherent plan can ensure that children have appointed guardians, that care preferences are known and respected, and that assets pass efficiently to intended recipients. Well-drafted documents reduce stress for family members during difficult times and create clarity about who will manage finances and healthcare decisions when someone is unable to act for themselves.
Planning is particularly important when estate circumstances include real estate, business interests, blended families, or beneficiaries with special needs because these situations often require tailored arrangements to preserve benefits and avoid disputes. Protecting privacy through trust-based transfers, coordinating beneficiary designations, and preparing powers of attorney and healthcare directives are effective measures to consider. Regularly reviewing an estate plan after major life events like marriage, divorce, births, deaths, or significant asset changes ensures that documents accurately reflect current priorities and maintain legal effectiveness over time.
Common triggers for estate planning include acquiring real estate, reaching retirement age, having children, changes in family structure, receiving an inheritance, or experiencing health changes that raise incapacity concerns. Business owners and individuals with substantial retirement or investment accounts often seek comprehensive plans to manage transfer and continuity. Families with beneficiaries who receive public benefits may require trusts to protect eligibility. Addressing these circumstances promptly helps create a plan that preserves assets, names decision makers, and sets out clear instructions for who will manage affairs and how distributions will be handled according to the client’s wishes.
Purchasing a home, inheriting property, or acquiring new investments often changes estate planning needs by increasing the value and complexity of the estate. When assets grow it becomes more important to coordinate beneficiary designations and consider trust funding to avoid probate and provide continuity. Real property may require deed transfers to place it in trust, and retirement accounts should be reviewed for beneficiary designations that align with overall intentions. Addressing these changes proactively helps ensure that new assets are incorporated into the plan and that distribution goals are preserved.
The arrival of children or grandchildren highlights the need for clear directions about guardianship, inheritance timing, and financial management for minors. Parents benefit from naming guardians in a will and creating trusts to hold assets for young beneficiaries until they reach an appropriate age or milestone. Trust provisions can protect assets against misuse, provide for education and health needs, and ensure that funds are managed by a trusted person if parents are unable to care for their children. These measures provide structure and security during uncertain times for a child’s future.
Facing a health diagnosis, advanced age, or conditions that increase the risk of incapacity underscores the importance of powers of attorney and advance health care directives. These documents authorize trusted individuals to make financial and medical decisions when a person cannot, preventing delays and the need for court-appointed guardianship. Clear healthcare directives also help medical teams and family members understand treatment preferences and end-of-life wishes. Addressing incapacity planning in advance gives peace of mind and ensures continuity of care and management of financial affairs according to the person’s values.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman provide estate planning and related services to residents of Millbrae, San Mateo County, and the greater Bay Area. We handle trust and will drafting, powers of attorney, advance health care directives, trust administration, and probate representation when needed. Our approach emphasizes practical solutions tailored to local property and retirement account considerations and clear communication so clients understand each document’s purpose. We offer consultations to discuss goals, review existing plans, and prepare documents that address current needs while planning for future changes and events.
Selecting legal counsel to prepare estate planning documents involves trust, clear communication, and a practical approach to drafting and implementation. Our firm focuses on producing well-organized documents that align with California law and clients’ personal objectives, helping reduce ambiguity and potential disagreements. We explain options for trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives and recommend steps for funding trusts and coordinating beneficiary designations so the plan functions as intended. Clients receive guidance on practical matters such as deed changes and account retitling to complete the plan.
We emphasize thorough document preparation and timely communication so clients know what to expect throughout the planning process. The firm can assist with specialized arrangements when needed, such as special needs trusts, irrevocable life insurance trusts, and retirement plan trusts, while also preparing supporting documents like certifications of trust and pour-over wills. Attention to detail in drafting and execution reduces the likelihood of post-death disputes and makes trust administration more manageable for successors, saving time and emotional strain for families.
Clients value clear explanations about how documents will operate in practical terms, assistance with transferring assets into trusts, and coordinated reviews to keep plans current as circumstances change. We address questions about guardianship nominations, HIPAA authorizations, and other components that affect family care and privacy. Whether creating a new plan or updating an existing one, our goal is to provide a durable, understandable set of documents that helps Millbrae residents protect family interests and accomplish long term goals with confidence and clarity.
We begin with a focused consultation to identify assets, family structure, and client goals, followed by drafting a customized plan that may include trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. After discussing the proposed documents, we finalize and execute them according to legal requirements and provide guidance on funding trust assets and updating account designations. We also offer ongoing review and amendment services to keep plans aligned with life changes, and we support trustees and agents with practical information about their responsibilities and next steps when an incapacity or death occurs.
The initial meeting focuses on understanding the client’s family dynamics, asset inventory, and personal preferences for distribution and care. We gather information about real estate holdings, retirement accounts, life insurance policies, business interests, and any existing documents that may affect a new plan. This step also explores guardianship needs for minor children or beneficiaries with special needs and clarifies goals for privacy, probate avoidance, and management during incapacity. A thorough information gathering phase allows the preparation of documents that accurately reflect the client’s intentions.
During this phase we discuss who will serve as trustees, successor trustees, agents for powers of attorney, and healthcare decision makers, along with preferred beneficiaries and distribution timing. It is important to select people who understand the responsibilities and whom the client trusts to carry out their wishes. We also address whether additional trust structures are needed, such as a special needs trust or life insurance trust, and how to coordinate existing account beneficiary designations so that the overall plan functions as intended when the documents take effect.
We carefully review any existing wills, trusts, or beneficiary designations to identify conflicts or gaps and to determine what must be revoked or updated. Examining deeds, account registrations, and retirement plan beneficiary forms helps us map where assets currently reside and what steps are required to place property into a trust if that strategy is chosen. This review identifies potential issues that could prevent a plan from operating as intended and allows us to recommend practical solutions to align all components into a coherent plan.
After gathering information and clarifying goals, we draft the appropriate documents tailored to the client’s needs, including trusts, pour-over wills, powers of attorney, advance health care directives, and any supplementary instruments. Drafting emphasizes clear language, legally effective provisions, and instructions that reduce ambiguity about trustee and agent powers. We also prepare certifications of trust and any necessary deeds or transfer documents, and we provide a draft review session to ensure that clients understand the terms and feel comfortable with the final provisions before execution.
Document preparation involves creating provisions that address asset management, incapacity procedures, distribution instructions, and successor roles in a manner aligned with California law. For clients with particular considerations, such as beneficiaries receiving public benefits or business succession concerns, we draft protective trust provisions to address long term needs and to preserve eligibility where appropriate. Clear trustee instructions, distribution contingencies, and successor appointment clauses help prevent disputes and provide a roadmap for how affairs should be handled when the time comes.
We present draft documents to clients for review, explain key provisions in plain language, and incorporate requested revisions to ensure the plan reflects current intentions. This collaborative review helps clarify how the documents interact with existing beneficiary designations and asset ownership. Clients are encouraged to ask questions about the practical effects of different provisions and to consider contingencies for future events. Once clients approve the final version, we arrange for proper signing and notarization so documents are legally effective and ready for implementation.
Following execution, we guide clients through funding the trust by retitling assets, updating deeds when necessary, and coordinating changes to account registrations and beneficiary forms. Proper funding ensures that trust provisions operate as intended and reduces assets passing through probate. We also provide clients with copies of executed documents and instructions for safely storing originals. Ongoing maintenance includes periodic reviews to address life events, asset changes, and legal developments so that plans remain effective and aligned with current goals and circumstances.
Funding a trust involves transferring ownership of assets into the trust’s name, which may require retitling bank and investment accounts, preparing and recording deeds for real property, and confirming beneficiary designations for retirement accounts and life insurance. This step is essential to avoid unintended probate for assets meant to be governed by the trust. We assist clients with practical steps and documentation needed to complete transfers and to ensure that trustee powers are effective when necessary, reducing administrative hurdles for successors and increasing the plan’s reliability.
Estate plans benefit from scheduled reviews to account for changes in family circumstances, asset composition, or state and federal law. We recommend revisiting plans after major events such as births, deaths, marriages, divorces, or significant asset changes to confirm that documents still reflect current intentions. Amendments and restatements keep the plan operative and aligned with client goals. We provide guidance on when updates are advisable and help implement revisions to trusts, wills, and beneficiary designations as situations evolve.
A will is a legal document that specifies how assets not placed in a trust should be distributed, names an executor to carry out those instructions, and can appoint guardians for minor children. A will generally goes through probate, the court-supervised process for validating the document and overseeing distribution, which can be public and time-consuming. A revocable living trust, by contrast, holds assets in a trust during the trustmaker’s lifetime and can provide directions for management and distribution without the same level of public court involvement when properly funded. A revocable living trust can offer continuity of asset management if the trustmaker becomes incapacitated, because a successor trustee can step in without court appointment. However, creating a trust requires transferring assets into it and coordinating beneficiary designations. Both documents often play complementary roles: a trust to handle assets and a pour-over will to capture assets not transferred into the trust. Consulting about both options helps determine the right combination for a client’s circumstances.
Choosing a guardian for minor children involves evaluating who can provide stable care, share the parents values, and manage financial matters for the child if needed. Consider family members or close friends with a history of reliable involvement in the child’s life, geographic location, willingness to serve, and the ability to handle educational and medical decisions. It is important to discuss the role with potential guardians so they understand the responsibilities and are prepared to accept the nomination if necessary. In addition to naming a guardian in a will, parents should consider creating trusts to manage property left for the child and to set parameters for how and when funds should be used. Trust provisions can specify distributions for education, health, and maintenance and can appoint a trustee to oversee financial management. Taking these steps provides both care arrangements and financial structure to support a child’s needs over time.
A financial power of attorney is a document in which a principal appoints an agent to manage financial affairs, pay bills, handle investments, and make other money-related decisions if the principal cannot. A durable power of attorney remains effective during incapacity, allowing timely financial management without court involvement. Preparing this document prevents delays in paying bills and managing daily financial tasks when health issues arise and ensures that a trusted person can step in with legal authority. A health care directive, sometimes combined with a separate medical power of attorney, designates an individual to make medical decisions and records treatment preferences. Together these documents preserve a person’s control over who will manage finances and health care and provide guidance to agents and medical teams. Clear, durable documents reduce the risk of disputes and the need for court-appointed guardianship.
Avoiding probate in California typically involves using trust-based planning and ensuring that assets are titled or designated to pass outside of probate. A revocable living trust can hold property and provide for distribution at death without the probate court process, provided assets are properly transferred into the trust name. Additionally, payable-on-death accounts, transfer-on-death deeds for real estate where allowed, and beneficiary designations for retirement accounts and life insurance enable direct transfer to named beneficiaries. Proper coordination is essential: even a well-drafted trust will not prevent probate for assets left ironically outside the trust due to unretitled accounts or outdated beneficiary forms. Regularly reviewing ownership records and beneficiary designations and working through the funding process after documents are executed helps ensure that the plan functions to minimize probate involvement and preserve privacy for the family.
After signing estate planning documents, it is important to implement follow-up steps such as funding trusts and updating account registrations and deeds where necessary. Ensuring bank, brokerage, and retirement accounts are retitled or designated correctly and that property deeds reflect intended ownership helps prevent assets from unintentionally passing through probate. Give executed copies to named agents, trustees, and trusted family members and store originals in a secure location with clear instructions on how to access them when needed. Clients should also maintain a checklist of important account information, beneficiary designations, and contact details for the attorney and financial institutions. Periodic review following major life events ensures that documents remain current. Clear communication with appointed agents about where documents are kept and about practical responsibilities reduces confusion and helps ensure a smooth transition when action is required.
An estate plan can protect a beneficiary who receives public benefits by using trust structures designed to preserve eligibility. A properly drafted and administered special needs trust can provide for supplemental support for a beneficiary without disqualifying them from government benefits such as Medi-Cal or Supplemental Security Income. These trusts must be carefully prepared to comply with applicable rules and typically require clear instructions about allowable distributions, trust administration, and successor trustees to avoid affecting benefit eligibility. Consulting about the appropriate trust and funding strategies helps families create arrangements that support a loved one’s quality of life while maintaining critical public benefits. Coordinating beneficiary designations, life insurance trusts, and other planning tools can provide resources for special needs care while protecting access to necessary services and supports.
It is advisable to review an estate plan after significant life events such as marriage, divorce, births, deaths, changes in health, or substantial asset changes. Laws and family circumstances evolve over time, and documents that reflect prior situations may no longer produce intended outcomes. Regular reviews every few years also help ensure that beneficiary designations, account ownership, and trust funding remain aligned with current wishes and that any necessary amendments are made promptly. When family relationships change or assets are acquired or disposed of, updating wills, trusts, and beneficiary forms prevents unintended distributions and reduces the risk of disputes. Working with counsel during reviews helps identify gaps or conflicts and ensures that revisions follow legal formalities so the updated plan remains effective and enforceable under California law.
A special needs trust is designed to hold assets for the benefit of an individual with disabilities while preserving their eligibility for public benefits that often have strict asset and income limits. These trusts allow funds to be used for supplemental goods and services that enhance quality of life but are not counted as income for benefits eligibility. Drafting a trust with appropriate language and administration provisions is essential to maintain compliance with benefit program rules and to protect the beneficiary’s long term interests. Special needs trusts can be established during lifetime or at death and may be funded through various sources including settlements, inheritances, or life insurance. Trustee choices and clear distribution standards help ensure that trust assets are spent in ways that complement public benefits and provide meaningful support for the beneficiary’s needs over time. Legal guidance helps families choose the right trust type and administration approach for their circumstances.
Retirement accounts generally pass according to beneficiary designations on file with plan administrators and are not controlled by wills or trusts unless properly coordinated. Naming primary and contingent beneficiaries and reviewing those designations regularly ensures that retirement accounts pass to the intended recipients. In some cases naming a trust as beneficiary can provide protection and control over distributions, but this should be done with careful attention to tax rules and trust drafting to avoid unintended consequences. Coordination between retirement account beneficiary designations and an overall estate plan is essential to avoid surprises. Consulting about rollover options, tax implications, and beneficiary structuring helps preserve value for intended heirs. Properly drafted retirement plan trusts and beneficiary designations can align account distribution with broader estate planning goals while addressing liquidity and tax considerations for heirs.
For an initial estate planning consultation bring information about your assets including real estate deeds, retirement account statements, life insurance policies, bank and investment account statements, and any existing estate documents. Also provide basic family information such as names and ages of beneficiaries and children, and details about any special circumstances like beneficiaries receiving public benefits or business ownership. Having this information available helps the consultation focus on practical solutions tailored to your situation. Be prepared to discuss goals for distribution, guardianship preferences for minor children, and who you would like to appoint to make financial and medical decisions if necessary. The meeting will also cover questions about trust funding, beneficiary designations, and next steps for preparing and executing documents. Clear communication about these matters allows for efficient planning and preparation of documents aligned with your priorities.
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