Helping You Protect Your Legacy
Without a deliberate estate plan, the distribution of your assets will be governed by state default rules. If a California resident passes away without a will, trust, or other estate planning instruments, asset transfers follow the state's intestacy statute — which may bear no resemblance to the decedent's actual wishes.
At Benerofe Law, we provide knowledgeable legal guidance for individuals and families creating comprehensive estate plans. We take a pragmatic, results-oriented approach: we begin with your ultimate goals and then craft legal strategies tailored to your unique situation to help you reach them.
We invite you to schedule a consultation to discuss your specific concerns. From our offices in San Francisco, we serve clients throughout the metropolitan area and beyond.
Establishing a Will, Trust, or Durable Power of Attorney
A well-constructed estate plan prepares you for the unexpected and provides for the inevitable. By developing a thorough plan, you can express your wishes clearly, potentially avoid probate, minimize estate taxes, and ensure that your family is protected no matter what.
We routinely create a wide range of estate planning instruments. Our services include:
- Drafting, reviewing, and updating your last will and testament
- Establishing and administering trusts, including handling complex trust litigation
- Advising trustees and beneficiaries on fiduciary duties and related disputes
- Crafting health care directives and durable power of attorney designations
- Creating estate plans that address comprehensive asset protection needs
- Developing estate plans for families with young children, including guardian designations and living trusts
For parents with minor children, a living trust can ensure financial security in the event of an unexpected loss, while guardian designations make your wishes for your children's care clear and legally enforceable.
Planning Effectively to Avoid Complications
A properly constructed estate plan can help your family bypass the probate process entirely. Probate can be time-consuming — property transfers through the court system can take up to a year or more. It is also a public process, with court documents becoming part of the public record. The fees associated with probate administration can be substantial.
Transfers arranged outside of probate are generally faster, less expensive, and more private. However, they must be planned in advance and structured in compliance with state and federal regulations to achieve the intended benefits.
When Litigation Becomes Necessary
In addition to preparing estate planning documents, our attorneys have extensive experience handling probate and trust litigation. This experience gives us a deeper understanding of the problems that can arise with estate instruments, enabling us to draft documents carefully to prevent many common issues before they develop.
To schedule a confidential consultation with an estate planning attorney at our firm, call (628) 626-8767 or fill out our online form.