Planning for the future can feel overwhelming, but having a clear, written estate plan brings peace of mind and practical protection for you and your loved ones. At the Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman, we help residents of Redwood City and surrounding San Mateo County navigate wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and health care directives. Our approach focuses on understanding your family dynamics, assets, and personal wishes so we can recommend a plan that keeps your intentions front and center. This introduction outlines the core services and how a tailored plan can prevent costly delays and confusion later on.
A thoughtful estate plan addresses more than just distribution of assets; it preserves financial stability, provides for minor or dependent loved ones, and nominates trusted decision-makers for health and financial matters. From revocable living trusts and pour-over wills to advance health care directives and guardianship nominations, the suite of tools available allows you to shape outcomes according to your priorities. This section will help you understand which documents matter most for your situation and why a proactive plan can reduce the risk of Probate and protect privacy for your family in Redwood City and beyond.
Estate planning provides clarity and direction when life events occur, minimizing uncertainty and potential conflict among heirs. Creating a comprehensive plan helps ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes, that loved ones are cared for, and that your medical and financial decisions are made by people you trust. For residents of Redwood City, carefully drafted trusts and powers of attorney can reduce the chance of court involvement and help maintain privacy. Additionally, planning can address tax considerations and protect benefits for vulnerable beneficiaries, offering both immediate reassurance and long-term protection for family interests.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman serves Bay Area clients from San Jose to Redwood City with a focus on practical, client-centered estate planning. Our team brings decades of experience in drafting trusts, wills, and related documents, and we emphasize clear communication so clients understand the purpose and effect of each choice. We work with individuals and families of varied financial situations to build plans that reflect personal values and legal realities. The firm handles trust administration and related petitions when plans must be adjusted or clarified after a death or change in circumstances.
Estate planning involves selecting the right combination of legal instruments to carry out your wishes while considering asset types, family structure, and long-term goals. Common tools include revocable living trusts, which allow assets to pass outside of Probate; pour-over wills that move residual assets into a trust; and powers of attorney that name decision-makers for financial and health matters. Each document has a specific function and together they create a cohesive plan. Understanding how these pieces work and interact ensures that your intentions are honored and the administration of your estate proceeds smoothly if you become incapacitated or pass away.
Selecting the proper documents often requires evaluating retirement accounts, real property, business interests, and personal property. For example, retirement accounts typically pass by beneficiary designation, while real estate title and trust funding influence whether assets avoid Probate. Addressing special circumstances like a beneficiary with disabilities, a family member dependent on government benefits, or a beloved pet requires additional documents such as a special needs trust or a pet trust. The planning process also includes reviewing beneficiary designations, titling, and any necessary trust certifications or petitions to ensure consistency across your estate plan.
A revocable living trust is a flexible document that holds assets under a trustee for the benefit of named beneficiaries, allowing for management during life and distribution at death without Probate. A last will and testament directs the distribution of remaining assets and can name guardians for minor children. A financial power of attorney authorizes someone to act on your behalf for financial matters if you are unable to do so, while an advance health care directive expresses medical decisions and appoints a health care agent. Understanding the role of each document helps clients choose an arrangement that aligns with their goals and family needs.
Creating an effective estate plan involves inventorying assets, discussing family dynamics and wishes, selecting fiduciaries, and preparing documents that work together. Funding a trust by retitling assets and updating beneficiary designations is a practical step to ensure the trust functions as intended. The process also includes drafting provisions for incapacity, tax planning where appropriate, and preparing for possible future modifications. Regular review and updates keep the plan current as life changes occur, and the firm assists with trust modifications, Heggstad petitions, and other filings when adjustments or court clarification are needed.
This glossary provides concise definitions of terms frequently used in estate planning conversations. Becoming comfortable with these terms will help you make informed decisions about documents such as revocable living trusts, pour-over wills, and powers of attorney. It also clarifies concepts like trust funding, beneficiary designations, guardianship nominations, and the differences between revocable and irrevocable arrangements. Familiarity with key terms reduces confusion and allows you to participate actively in crafting a plan that aligns with your priorities and family circumstances.
A revocable living trust is a personal legal arrangement that holds title to assets while you are alive and designates how those assets will be managed and distributed after your death. It is flexible because you can revise or revoke it during your lifetime, and it typically allows for management during incapacity. When properly funded, the trust can enable assets to pass to beneficiaries without Probate, maintaining privacy and often speeding distribution. It also names a trustee to manage assets if you are unable to do so, providing continuity and minimizing the need for court oversight.
A pour-over will serves as a safety net for assets not transferred to a trust during your lifetime by directing that any remaining assets be transferred, or poured over, into your trust after your death. While it does not avoid Probate for those assets, it ensures that your trust ultimately governs their distribution according to your trust terms. This document often accompanies a revocable living trust and can name guardians for minor children. It helps centralize your estate plan and ensures that all intended assets are eventually governed by the trust provisions.
A financial power of attorney grants authority to a trusted person to handle financial affairs on your behalf if you become incapacitated or are otherwise unable to act. This document can be broad or limited in scope and may take effect immediately or upon a triggering condition like incapacity. It enables timely handling of bills, banking, investment decisions, and property transactions without court appointment. Choosing the right agent and defining the scope of powers are important considerations to ensure financial matters are managed in line with your intentions and best interests.
An advance health care directive, sometimes called a living will, records your preferences for medical treatment and appoints a health care agent to make decisions if you cannot speak for yourself. It covers decisions about life-sustaining treatment, palliative care, and end-of-life care, and it helps guide family members and providers during difficult moments. Including a HIPAA authorization along with this directive allows designated persons to access medical information needed to make informed decisions. Clear directions paired with a trusted agent reduce uncertainty and help ensure your medical wishes are respected.
Estate planning options range from limited documents addressing immediate needs to comprehensive plans that coordinate multiple instruments for long-term management and distribution. Limited approaches may be appropriate for straightforward situations with modest assets and clear beneficiary designations. Comprehensive plans combine trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and health directives to address incapacity, privacy, and complex family or financial arrangements. Comparing options involves weighing cost, the complexity of your assets, and your goals for privacy and continuity. A thoughtful comparison helps determine the right level of planning for your circumstances in Redwood City.
A limited plan can be suitable when assets are modest, family relationships are straightforward, and beneficiaries are clearly identified through beneficiary designations. In such cases, a straightforward will paired with updated beneficiary forms and a power of attorney may provide sufficient protection for common contingencies. This approach can save time and expense while addressing the essential needs of incapacity planning and final distribution. It is important to periodically review any limited plan to ensure it continues to align with changes in assets or family circumstances.
A limited approach may be appropriate when avoiding Probate is not a primary concern and privacy is not a priority. For individuals comfortable with a straightforward Probate process or whose assets will pass directly via beneficiary designations, simple documents can fulfill core needs. This path often suits those who prefer a lower-cost initial plan or who anticipate little change in family dynamics. Even with a limited plan, naming trusted agents for health and finances and keeping records organized remains important to facilitate management and eventual distribution.
A comprehensive plan is often advisable when assets include real estate, business interests, retirement accounts, or complex investments that benefit from coordinated titling and beneficiary designations. Such planning helps ensure assets are managed efficiently during incapacity and distributed according to your goals without unnecessary court involvement. It can also protect heirs from administrative burdens and allow for tailored provisions to address unequal distributions, blended families, or beneficiaries with special needs. Comprehensive planning supports orderly management and continuity through clearly defined roles and instructions.
When a family includes individuals with disabilities, minor children, or beneficiaries who rely on public benefits, a comprehensive approach can create targeted protections like special needs trusts and guardianship nominations. Additionally, long-term goals such as charitable giving, tax planning, or care for a pet require specific trust provisions and careful drafting. A fully integrated plan reduces ambiguity, coordinates multiple documents, and anticipates future changes, providing reassurance that your wishes will be carried out according to a coherent strategy aligned with both personal and financial objectives.
Adopting a comprehensive estate plan can minimize the potential for disputes, reduce delays, and provide a clearer path for administering your affairs in challenging moments. By coordinating trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and health directives, you create a consistent framework that addresses management during incapacity and distribution at death. This integrated approach preserves privacy by minimizing Probate exposure and can streamline the transfer of assets to beneficiaries. It also fosters a calmer transition for family members who must carry out your intentions during an emotional time.
A thorough plan also permits tailored protections for unique family or financial circumstances, such as beneficiary-specific trust provisions, protections for heirs who may be younger or have special needs, and directives for business succession. Addressing these matters in advance reduces uncertainty and lowers the chances of costly court proceedings or litigation. Regular review of the plan ensures that changes in law, finances, or family structure are reflected, keeping the plan effective and aligned with current priorities and legal requirements in California.
One primary benefit of a comprehensive trust-based plan is the ability to transfer many assets outside of Probate, which can save time, reduce costs, and keep family affairs private. Probate is a public court process that can extend the time before beneficiaries receive assets and may create additional administrative burdens. By funding trusts and coordinating beneficiary designations, families can often avoid the probate process for many estate elements. This privacy and efficiency can be especially valuable for families who wish to limit court involvement and simplify the administration of their affairs.
Comprehensive planning includes documents that address incapacity, naming trusted people to handle health care and financial decisions when you cannot. This forethought prevents delays and avoids the need for court-appointed guardianships in many situations. It gives clearly documented authority to decision-makers for finances and medical treatment, allowing them to act promptly and in accordance with your wishes. The resulting continuity benefits both the individual and their family, minimizing stress and enabling practical management of financial obligations, medical care, and daily affairs during difficult times.
A clear inventory of assets is foundational for effective estate planning. Gather account statements, deeds, insurance policies, retirement account information, and documentation for business interests. Organize digital account credentials and note any beneficiary designations that may override wills. Having this information ready helps ensure that trusts are properly funded and that transfer instructions are accurate. It also streamlines the planning conversation, allowing legal counsel to recommend documents that align with your asset composition and to identify any titling or beneficiary updates needed to accomplish your goals.
Life changes such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, changes in assets, or a move to a different state can make updates necessary. Regular review helps keep documents current and ensures beneficiary designations, trust funding, and guardianship nominations reflect your present wishes. Updates also allow you to respond to changes in law or tax treatment that may affect planning choices. Scheduling periodic reviews with counsel can provide peace of mind that your estate plan remains aligned with evolving personal and financial circumstances.
Beginning the estate planning process now helps ensure that your family’s needs are addressed while you can still make clear decisions and provide guidance. A plan names trusted decision-makers for health and finances in the event of incapacity, ensures that minor children have guardians named, and enables orderly distribution of assets according to your wishes. Planning ahead can prevent disputes among heirs and reduce the administrative burden on loved ones during emotional times. Timely planning gives you control over decisions about care and legacy rather than leaving those choices to default rules or the courts.
Early planning also allows you to take advantage of tools that protect beneficiaries and preserve assets, such as trusts tailored for individuals with particular needs or to support long-term goals. It offers opportunity to coordinate retirement account beneficiary designations, real property titling, and insurance proceeds so they conform to your overall plan. Establishing directives for health care and financial decision-making reduces uncertainty and ensures that your intentions are documented. Taking action now provides clarity, reduces future stress for family members, and protects the legacy you intend to leave.
Certain life events commonly trigger the need for estate planning, including marriage, parenthood, divorce, the acquisition of significant assets, or the formation of a business interest. Other circumstances include caring for a family member with special needs, owning property in multiple states, or wanting to provide for a pet after death. Health changes or aging can also make planning for incapacity a priority. Recognizing these triggers helps individuals respond proactively to protect family members and ensure that financial and medical decisions follow their wishes.
Starting a family or getting married often necessitates updates to beneficiary designations, naming guardians for minor children, and reconsidering asset titling. Planning at this stage addresses the care of children through guardianship nominations and can establish trusts to manage assets for a child’s future needs. It also provides an opportunity to select financial and health care decision-makers and to coordinate wills and trusts so that assets are distributed in a manner consistent with newly formed family priorities. Early planning helps ensure protection for dependents and clarity for parents.
Health changes make it especially important to have documents in place that address medical decision-making and financial management in the event of incapacity. An advance health care directive and a financial power of attorney authorize designated individuals to make decisions aligned with your preferences and ensure bills and care arrangements are handled without delay. Preparing these documents in advance reduces the likelihood of court-appointed guardianship and provides a clear plan for those who must make difficult decisions during a medical crisis, easing the burden on loved ones.
Owning real estate or business interests introduces complexities related to titling, succession, and management that comprehensive estate planning can address. Proper planning ensures that real property is titled or placed into trusts in a way that delivers intended outcomes and can simplify transfers at death. For business owners, succession planning defines who will manage or acquire ownership interests and prepares for continuity. Addressing these matters proactively prevents disruptions and clarifies how assets will be preserved, managed, or transferred according to your long-term objectives.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman serves Redwood City residents with personalized estate planning services tailored to local needs and California law. From drafting revocable living trusts and pour-over wills to preparing powers of attorney and health care directives, the firm helps clients create cohesive plans that reflect family priorities and financial realities. We strive to provide clear guidance about document choices and the steps needed to fund trusts and update beneficiary information. Our goal is to make the planning process straightforward and responsive to each client’s circumstances.
Clients choose the Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman for a practical approach to planning and a commitment to clear communication. We focus on listening to understand each client’s priorities and then translating those priorities into documents that work together. Our office helps clients navigate funding trusts, updating beneficiary designations, and preparing for potential future modifications. The goal is to create a plan that minimizes uncertainty and supports smooth administration when needed, while explaining the legal implications in accessible terms.
We also assist with post-death administration matters, including trust administration and petitions that may be needed to clarify or modify trust provisions. Whether addressing Heggstad petitions, trust modification petitions, or preparing certifications of trust, our firm provides practical assistance to help trustees and families carry out plan provisions. This continuity from planning to administration helps ensure that documents function as intended and that beneficiaries receive clear guidance when administering an estate or trust.
The firm serves a diverse client base in the Bay Area, providing tailored solutions for families with unique concerns such as special needs planning, retirement account coordination, and pet trusts. We work to present options in plain language and to recommend the combination of documents that best meets your objectives. Accessibility and responsiveness are priorities, and we aim to make the planning process as straightforward as possible while considering the full scope of legal and administrative matters your plan may involve.
Our process begins with an initial consultation to learn about your family, assets, and goals. We then recommend a tailored plan and prepare draft documents for review, making revisions as needed to reflect your preferences. Once documents are finalized, we guide you through execution formalities and steps to fund trusts and update designations. We also offer ongoing support for modifications or administration matters. This stepwise approach keeps clients informed and ensures the resulting plan is practical, legally effective, and aligned with California requirements.
The first step is an in-depth information gathering session where we inventory assets, note family relationships, and learn about priorities for distribution and incapacity planning. This session includes discussing retirement accounts, real estate, business interests, and any potential beneficiary concerns such as minors or special needs. Clarifying these details enables a recommendation for a plan structure that fits your situation. We also discuss fiduciary choices and initial steps to transfer assets if a trust will be used for avoiding Probate and preserving privacy.
Identifying all assets and confirming current beneficiary designations is essential to crafting an effective plan. This includes bank and investment accounts, retirement plans, life insurance policies, real property, and business interests. We check whether account titling and beneficiary forms align with the intended distribution and note items that need retitling to a trust. Accurate documentation at this stage prevents unintended outcomes and allows us to design documents that address the entirety of your estate, reducing the likelihood of gaps that could complicate future administration.
We explore family goals, such as whether you prefer outright distributions or trusts for beneficiaries, and discuss potential challenges like blended family issues or a beneficiary with special needs. This conversation includes talking through guardianship nominations for minors and provisions for long-term care or charitable gifts. Understanding these priorities helps shape the draft documents and identifies areas where additional protections such as special needs trusts or irrevocable life insurance trusts may be appropriate to achieve your objectives while preserving resources and benefits for those who need them most.
In the drafting stage we prepare the proposed documents based on the information gathered and the planning approach selected. Drafts typically include trusts, pour-over wills, powers of attorney, and advance health care directives. We provide explanations of each provision and how documents interact, and we solicit your feedback for revisions. Careful review ensures the language reflects your intentions and that fiduciary roles, distribution instructions, and incapacity provisions are clearly defined. This collaborative review results in documents ready for execution that align with your goals.
Trust and will documents are prepared to work together so that assets are managed during life and distributed at death according to your instructions. The trust specifies trustees, successor trustees, and distribution terms, while the pour-over will captures assets not placed into the trust during life. Drafting focuses on clarity of intent and on addressing common contingencies, such as how to handle predeceased beneficiaries or how and when discretionary distributions may be made. This careful drafting reduces the need for court interpretation later.
Drafting powers of attorney and advance health care directives involves selecting appropriate agents and tailoring authorities to reflect your preferences for medical care and financial management. Documents specify the scope and timing of authority and include HIPAA authorizations to allow access to medical records. Clear direction regarding end-of-life care, preferred medical interventions, and agent authority helps ensure decisions align with your wishes. We discuss scenarios to ensure the wording of these documents accomplishes your desired balance between control and delegation.
After signing, we assist with steps needed to make the plan effective, including providing instructions for funding trusts by retitling assets and updating beneficiary designations where appropriate. Proper funding is necessary to avoid unintended Probate. We also deliver executed copies and guidance for safekeeping and inform clients about recommended review intervals and triggers for updates. Our office remains available to assist with future changes, trust administration after a death, and petitions that may become necessary if the plan requires court clarification or modification.
Ensuring a trust is funded requires retitling assets into the trust name, updating titles for real property, and confirming beneficiary designations for accounts and policies. We provide a funding checklist and can coordinate with financial institutions or title companies as needed to complete transfers. Accurate funding helps prevent assets from requiring Probate and ensures that the trust functions as designed. Clear record-keeping and giving trustees timely access to necessary documents further streamline administration when the time comes.
Estate planning is not a one-time event; life changes like marriage, birth, divorce, or significant financial shifts call for plan review and potential revision. We recommend periodic check-ins to confirm beneficiary designations and titling remain aligned with your goals. If changes are necessary, we prepare amendments or trust modification petitions to update documents. Staying proactive helps preserve the effectiveness of your plan and avoid unintended results as circumstances evolve in Redwood City and under California law.
A revocable living trust and a will both direct how your property should be handled, but they function differently. A trust holds assets in its name and, when funded, can allow those assets to pass to beneficiaries without the need for Probate. A will becomes effective upon death and must typically go through Probate to transfer assets that are solely in your name. Trusts can also provide a framework for managing assets during incapacity by naming a successor trustee, which helps avoid court appointment of a conservator. Choosing between a trust and a will depends on factors like the desire for privacy, the complexity of your estate, and whether avoiding Probate is a priority. Wills are simpler and appropriate for some situations, while trusts offer greater flexibility for incapacity planning and avoiding Probate for funded assets. Discussing your goals and asset structure with counsel will help determine the most effective combination of documents for your circumstances.
Selecting agents for medical and financial decisions is an important decision. Consider choosing individuals who are trustworthy, organized, and willing to accept responsibility. For medical decisions, select someone who understands your values and can communicate your treatment preferences to health care providers. For financial matters, choose someone who can manage bills, taxes, and investments and who will act in your best interest. It is also useful to name alternate agents in case your primary choice is unable or unwilling to serve. Communicate your expectations with those you appoint and provide them with access to important documents and information. Discussing your wishes ahead of time reduces uncertainty and helps agents carry out decisions in line with your preferences. Executing clear advance directives and powers of attorney ensures designated agents have legal authority to act when needed and can help prevent conflicts among family members during difficult times.
Funding a trust means transferring ownership of assets from your individual name into the trust’s name, which is often necessary for the trust to control those assets and avoid Probate. Common funding actions include retitling bank and investment accounts, transferring real property deeds into the trust, and changing ownership of certain titled assets. Some assets, like retirement accounts, are governed by beneficiary designations, so coordination is needed to ensure designations align with your overall plan. A funding checklist can help organize necessary steps and identify accounts that require attention. It is common for clients to sign the trust and then complete funding over a short period of time. Legal counsel can provide instructions and templates for completing transfers and advise whether direct coordination with financial institutions or title companies is advisable. Ensuring the trust is properly funded reduces the risk that assets intended for the trust will instead pass through Probate, and it helps the trust operate as intended at the time of incapacity or death.
Providing for a beneficiary with special needs requires careful planning to preserve eligibility for public benefits while addressing long-term care and quality of life. A special needs trust can hold assets for the beneficiary’s supplemental needs without disqualifying them from means-tested government programs. The trust can fund services and supports that public benefits do not cover, while a trustee manages distributions according to the beneficiary’s best interests. Drafting these provisions with attention to governing rules promotes both protection and flexibility. It is important to coordinate beneficiary designations and other asset transfers so resources intended for the special needs trust do not inadvertently disqualify the beneficiary from benefits. Naming a trustee with appropriate judgment and including clear instructions for trustee authority helps ensure funds are used as intended. Regular review and updates can address changing benefit rules and the beneficiary’s evolving needs to maintain both protection and access to essential public supports.
A Heggstad petition may be used when assets intended to be in a trust were not retitled before the trust creator’s death, but there is evidence those assets were meant to be trust property. The petition asks the court to recognize that particular assets should be treated as trust assets, allowing them to pass according to the trust rather than through Probate. This remedy can be useful when funding steps were incomplete but intent is clear from documents or actions taken during the trust creator’s lifetime. Filing a Heggstad petition involves presenting evidence of intent and addressing any competing claims. It is a court process and may require legal advocacy to demonstrate why the assets should be treated as trust property. Using this mechanism can preserve plan objectives without requiring full Probate distribution, but outcomes depend on the specific facts and supporting documentation for the funding attempt.
Most revocable estate plans can be changed or revoked during the creator’s lifetime as long as they have capacity to do so. Trusts are typically amendable or revocable, allowing the creator to update beneficiaries, trustees, and distribution terms. Wills can be revised or replaced through a new will or a codicil. It is important to follow formalities for amendments to ensure they are legally effective, including appropriate signatures and witnessing where required. If circumstances change such as marriage, divorce, birth, or significant changes in assets, reviewing and updating documents keeps the plan aligned with current wishes. Some changes may require court petitions after incapacity or death, so proactive updates during life prevent unintended consequences. Legal counsel can assist with amendments and advise on steps to preserve clarity and effectiveness across documents.
A pour-over will works in tandem with a revocable living trust by directing that any assets remaining in the testator’s individual name at death be transferred into the trust. This ensures the trust’s terms ultimately govern distribution of those assets, even if they were not retitled before death. While the pour-over will does not avoid Probate for assets it covers, it serves as a backup to centralize distribution under the trust provisions and to handle residual assets that were not funded into the trust during the creator’s life. Using a pour-over will simplifies the estate plan by providing a safety net for overlooked assets and ensuring distributions follow the trust’s instructions. It is still important to make reasonable efforts to fund the trust during life to reduce reliance on Probate and to coordinate beneficiary designations and titles so the trust functions as intended.
After the trust creator’s death, a trustee should locate and review the trust document, gather relevant financial records, and secure assets. The trustee must follow the trust’s instructions for notifying beneficiaries, paying valid debts and expenses, and distributing assets according to the trust terms. Maintaining clear records of actions and communications is important for transparency. Trustees often work with legal and financial professionals to fulfill fiduciary duties and ensure proper administration under California law. If questions arise about the trust’s provisions or asset status, the trustee may seek guidance or file necessary petitions, such as to address funding gaps or clarify beneficiary entitlements. Trustees should communicate timely updates to beneficiaries and follow the trust’s timetable for distribution while ensuring that all obligations are met. Responsible administration helps minimize disputes and ensures the creator’s intentions are carried out as planned.
Guardianship nominations are commonly included in a last will and testament to name a person to care for minor children if both parents are deceased. Including clear nominations helps inform the court of your preferences should guardianship become necessary. While the court makes the ultimate appointment, expressing your wishes through a will and discussing them with the nominated guardian helps provide guidance and reduces uncertainty. A comprehensive estate plan will also address the financial care of minors through trusts or distribution timing to protect their needs. It is advisable to name alternates in case your primary choice is unable to serve, and to explain practical considerations such as the nominee’s willingness, location, and capacity to provide care. Legal documentation paired with conversations with potential guardians ensures that both legal and practical aspects are considered. Periodic review will keep guardianship nominations current with changing family circumstances.
For your first estate planning meeting, bring a list or copies of assets such as bank and investment account statements, deeds for real property, life insurance policies, retirement account information, business ownership documents, and any existing estate planning documents. Also note any important personal details including the names and contact information for beneficiaries, family members, and potential trustees or agents. Having this information available allows for a more productive discussion about the planning tools that best match your needs. It is also helpful to prepare a list of your goals and concerns, such as priorities for providing for children, protecting a family member with special needs, or minimizing Probate. Think about who you trust to make medical and financial decisions and whether you have any specific wishes about end-of-life care or legacy gifts. Being prepared helps the meeting focus on creating a plan that reflects your values and objectives under California law.
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