TUSTIN ESTATE
PLANNING LAWYER
TUSTIN ESTATE PLANNING ATTORNEY
With life expectancy increasing and medical technology evolving, it is easy to assume we have indefinite time to plan for our final wishes and expenses. However, life is unpredictable. Regardless of age, it is critical to consider the future—including what should happen if you can no longer care for yourself and how you want to distribute your assets after your death. Creating an estate plan can help you outline your wishes for both scenarios and ensure your loved ones are not left to navigate your estate alone.
Representing Tustin, CA with Premier Estate Planning Counsel
Of course, death and inheritance can be uncomfortable topics to discuss, but estate planning is an important responsibility for every individual. We believe everyone has the right to determine what happens to their assets after they pass away, including who should receive their assets at that time. Unfortunately, if you do not create an estate plan, the state must determine how to distribute your estate and will often require a lengthy period in probate court to assign assets to your heirs. You can avoid this scenario by consulting with a Tustin estate planning lawyer who can draft the necessary documents to ensure that your assets are distributed according to your wishes.
The Law Office of Christopher P. Walker offers premier estate planning services to clients in the Tustin, CA area. Our Tustin estate planning lawyers are dedicated to providing you with an exceptional experience as you plan for the inevitable. We understand how difficult it can be to make decisions regarding your final wishes, which is why we aim to make the process as comfortable and stress-free as possible. With our guidance, you can create a comprehensive estate plan that protects both your assets and your loved ones.
What Are the Responsibilities of a Tustin Estate Planning Attorney?
A Tustin estate planning attorney holds a variety of responsibilities regarding the final decisions of Tustin area residents. An attorney’s duty is not only to complete the necessary legal documents but also to guide clients through the estate planning process and help them develop an understanding of what each estate planning component means. In short, a skilled attorney will thoroughly explain and complete every step in the process so you can be confident in your estate plan.
Common attorney responsibilities include:
- Determining the best type of estate plan based on your needs
- Helping you draft a will, power of attorney, and medical directives
- Setting up trusts to protect assets and trust administration
- Officially designating your personal beneficiaries
- Preparing and filing the necessary paperwork to legitimize your estate plan
- Assisting with any court appearances or litigation that may be required to protect your rights
- Planning for applicable estate taxes
- Providing any necessary legal guidance
These are just a few of the responsibilities you can entrust to your Tustin estate planning attorney.
What Are the Common Components of Tustin Estate Planning?
While estate plans can differ widely depending on the unique aspects of the estate involved, an estate plan often includes these four major components:
- Wills. Wills are written legal documents that dictate the distribution of your assets after your death. A will may also provide instructions for guardianship of any minor children you might have, as well as final wishes involving your funeral, burial, and legacy. A will becomes active at the time of your death.
- Trusts. Trusts are also legal documents that dictate the distribution of your assets, but they become valid as soon as they are created. Trusts assign power over your assets to a trusted third party, who is charged with distributing your assets after your death.
- Powers of attorney. A power of attorney is a legal document that appoints someone else to manage your assets or make other important decisions if you are unable to do so. For example, powers of attorney may be used if you are in a coma or experiencing dementia.
- Medical directives. A medical directive is another document that communicates your wishes about medical care. For example, if you do not want to be kept on life support or have a feeding tube inserted, you may create a medical directive that states your position.
Why Should I Hire an Estate Planning Attorney
Estate planning is not just for people who have a great deal of money or property to leave behind. In fact, estate planning is important for every individual to ensure assets are effectively managed when you can no longer do so yourself. Without an estate plan, the state of California will distribute your possessions according to probate law, which might not reflect your wishes. In addition, you forfeit the ability to make advance medical decisions and choose a representative to communicate your wishes. Hiring an estate planning attorney ensures all estate planning documents are legally valid and allow you and your family to carry out your wishes after your death.
Without an official document expressing your wishes regarding your children, the state is charged with determining guardianship. This can be especially problematic if you have certain members in your family you do not wish to care for your children. Hiring an Orange County estate planning attorney is the best way to ensure that your children are cared for precisely as you wish.
What Is the Difference Between a Probate Attorney and an Estate Planning Attorney?
A Tustin estate planning lawyer helps you determine which estate planning actions are necessary and helps you create the documents that will be used to govern your estate after your death. The estate planning lawyer will then help you outline the way you want your assets distributed, who will take care of your children, and any other legacy you want to leave behind. You will consult with an estate planning attorney long before your death or incapacitation.
A probate attorney is responsible for the legal proceedings surrounding your death. The probate attorney will help survivors or trustees navigate the legal steps required by probate court to begin distributing your assets to your beneficiaries. Your family and friends will work directly with the probate attorney and trustee to ensure the estate is distributed according to your wishes. While estate planning attorneys and probate attorneys have different responsibilities, both types of attorneys are often referred to as probate lawyers—and many probate lawyers regularly develop estate plans for their clients.
How Can I Find a Good Estate Planning Lawyer in Orange County, CA?
If you are looking for an experienced estate planning lawyer in Tustin, California, to help you create a solid estate plan, it is critical to perform a brief self-evaluation first.
If your estate is large and contains a great deal of assets, complex business holdings, or valuable property to be distributed among heirs, you will likely need to create a trust in addition to a will, power of attorney, and medical directive. In this case, look for an attorney who has experience with complex estate and trust administration. However, even if your estate is relatively straightforward, never underestimate the potential for complexities to arise in the future. Your estate planning attorney should also be experienced in probate law and probate litigation.
Ask any lawyer you are considering hiring for a list of references from previous clients who have created complex estate plans. In addition, perform your own research on your selected attorney online to find reviews, testimonials, and other indications of their work ethic, communication style, and thoroughness.
The Law Office of Christopher P. Walker has experience in both straightforward and complex estate plans. Our broad range of services ensures our Tustin estate planning attorneys can help you create a personalized estate plan and reap the benefits of estate planning and asset protection.
What Is the Average Cost for Someone to do the Estate Planning Process?
It is important to know that there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to estate planning. Just as estate plans vary depending on the complexity of the estate, the cost of crafting your estate plan will depend on how many estate planning documents you need to draft and the amount of time it takes to create them. Many estate planning attorneys bill by the hour, but others may establish a flat rate for estate planning services. Be sure to ask your estate planning attorney how they bill before you begin the process.
While your attorney’s hourly rate can vary widely, California attorneys often charge between $175 and $420 per hour. Experienced estate planning attorneys may charge a flat rate of between $400 and $1200 to draft a will, but if you require other estate planning documents, your costs will rise. No matter your needs, the Law Office of Christopher P. Walker takes pride in providing the best possible estate planning services to our clients at an affordable rate.
Connect With Premier Trusts and Wills Estate Planning Attorneys
Working with an estate planning attorney in Tustin, CA, is the only way to ensure your wishes are carried out in the event of your death or incapacity. The Law Office of Christopher P. Walker has been assisting area clients with estate planning, including wills, trusts, medical directives, and powers of attorney, for years. We can help you create a comprehensive estate plan that protects your assets and your loved ones long after your death. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
What Is the Difference Between a Probate Attorney and an Estate Planning Attorney?
A Tustin estate planning lawyer helps you determine which estate planning actions are necessary and helps you create the documents that will be used to govern your estate after your death. The estate planning lawyer will then help you outline the way you want your assets distributed, who will take care of your children, and any other legacy you want to leave behind. You will consult with an estate planning attorney long before your death or incapacitation.
A probate attorney is responsible for the legal proceedings surrounding your death. The probate attorney will help survivors or trustees navigate the legal steps required by probate court to begin distributing your assets to your beneficiaries. Your family and friends will work directly with the probate attorney and trustee to ensure the estate is distributed according to your wishes. While estate planning attorneys and probate attorneys have different responsibilities, both types of attorneys are often referred to as probate lawyers—and many probate lawyers regularly develop estate plans for their clients.
How Can I Find a Good Estate Planning Lawyer?
If you are looking for an experienced estate planning lawyer in Tustin, California, to help you create a solid estate plan, it is critical to perform a brief self-evaluation first.
If your estate is large and contains a great deal of assets, complex business holdings, or valuable property to be distributed among heirs, you will likely need to create a trust in addition to a will, power of attorney, and medical directive. In this case, look for an attorney who has experience with complex estate and trust administration. However, even if your estate is relatively straightforward, never underestimate the potential for complexities to arise in the future. Your estate planning attorney should also be experienced in probate law and probate litigation.
Ask any lawyer you are considering hiring for a list of references from previous clients who have created complex estate plans. In addition, perform your own research on your selected attorney online to find reviews, testimonials, and other indications of their work ethic, communication style, and thoroughness.
The Law Office of Christopher P. Walker has experience in both straightforward and complex estate plans. Our broad range of services ensures our Tustin estate planning attorneys can help you create a personalized estate plan and reap the benefits of estate planning and asset protection.
What Is the Average Cost for Someone to do the Estate Planning Process?
It is important to know that there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to estate planning. Just as estate plans vary depending on the complexity of the estate, the cost of crafting your estate plan will depend on how many estate planning documents you need to draft and the amount of time it takes to create them. Many estate planning attorneys bill by the hour, but others may establish a flat rate for estate planning services. Be sure to ask your estate planning attorney how they bill before you begin the process.
While your attorney’s hourly rate can vary widely, California attorneys often charge between $175 and $420 per hour. Experienced estate planning attorneys may charge a flat rate of between $400 and $1200 to draft a will, but if you require other estate planning documents, your costs will rise. No matter your needs, the Law Office of Christopher P. Walker takes pride in providing the best possible estate planning services to our clients at an affordable rate.
Connect With the Premier Estate Planning Attorney in Tustin, California
Working with an estate planning attorney in Tustin, CA, is the only way to ensure your wishes are carried out in the event of your death or incapacity. The Law Office of Christopher P. Walker has been assisting area clients with estate planning, including wills, trusts, medical directives, and powers of attorney, for years. We can help you create a comprehensive estate plan that protects your assets and your loved ones long after your death. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
From Our Clients
After years of putting off doing a will... we now can rest assured our family estate is legal and ready when we need it.
I found Mr. Walker on the net and am confident to recommend him for legal matters. Office staff was very attentive.
Hurray we finally did it!!!
- Tess
I've been through difficult times so I hired Mr. Christopher Walker to help me, I am very impressed the way he does business. He explains everything in a very professional way he did excellent job for me. I don't know many attorneys out there that answer they're office phone but he does and he returns calls quickly.
- Carlos C.
I have been working with Chris for at least 5 years. He helped us with our Trust. He is transparent and listens. I would recommend him highly.
- Octavio N.
I am not a man known for being a word smith so I am going to put it simply. The hardest year of my life has finally ended on a very high and happy note. Mr. Walker and Laurie are the best partners anyone could ask. They work tirelessly and made the difficult confusing process easy to understand and the clouds have now cleared! Thanks for everything.
- Justin C.