Estate Planning, Probate, and Trust Administration
California
Welcome to Merritt Law. We specialize in the following areas of law:
ESTATE PLANNING
WILL
In your Will, you will designate an executor for your estate. You will also name your beneficiaries and direct the disposition of your estate assets. If you have a minor child or children, you will name your child’s guardian if you pass away while your child is a minor.
REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST
Depending on the nature of your assets and family situation, setting up a revocable living trust as part of your estate plan may be desirable.
The benefits of establishing a revocable living trust include the following:
- During your life, you will continue to have full control over your assets;
- If you become incapacitated due to illness or old age, your successor trustee will manage your assets for your benefit; and
- After your death, your assets will not be subject to probate. They will be either distributed to your beneficiaries or held for the benefit of your beneficiaries, depending on your wishes.
Your successor trustee may be your family member, relative, or friend. It may be appropriate to choose a professional fiduciary, depending on the situation.
A living trust allows you to plan your estate in the most flexible manner taking into account possible changed circumstances.
POWER OF ATTORNEY
In your Power of Attorney, you will designate a power of attorney for finance (attorney-in-fact) so that during your incapacity, your finances can be handled for you by someone you trust.
ADVANCE HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVE
In your Advance Health Care Directive, you will designate a power of attorney for health care, who will make health care decisions for you during your incapacity. You may also clarify your wishes concerning health care and end-of-life decisions.
PROBATE
Probate is a court process wherein the decedent’s assets are distributed according to the terms of the will or the California Probate Code. Activities include organizing the financial and personal affairs of the estate, accounting for the assets of the estate, transferring the assets to beneficiaries, and probate court filings. The probate process usually takes one to one-and-a-half years, although it may sometimes take longer. The California statute sets the attorney’s fees. We assist clients in administering the decedent’s estate and probate proceedings.
TRUST ADMINISTRATION
After a person with a revocable living trust passes away, steps must be taken to carry out the terms of the trust. This process typically involves our firm working with the successor trustee to identify the assets held in the trust, marshaling the assets, and distributing the assets to the intended beneficiaries. We assist clients with trust administration for both short and long-term duration.
Native Japanese Speaking and Bilingual in English
As native Japanese speakers and bilingual in English, we are especially interested in acting as a trusted partner to support people in the Asian community in California.
Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Law by The State Bar of California
We have a passionate desire to help our clients achieve their life goals and create effective solutions for financial security. Due to our extensive expertise in estate planning and tax law, we will be your solid partner in realizing those goals.
Native Japanese speaking and bilingual in English.
We are especially interested in acting as a trusted partner to support people in the Asian community in California. Welcome to Merritt Law.
