Estate Planning Lawyer Covina & Probate Attorney

When You Need a Trusted & Experienced Legal Advocate

At the Law Office Of Donna Bachoura, we know that the idea of planning your estate or going through the probate process can be overwhelming. Whether you are concerned about how your assets will be distributed after you pass away or you are an executor who needs assistance with the administration of a loved one's estate, we are here to provide the guidance you need. Our Covina estate planning lawyer and probate attorney has extensive experience handling these matters and will work tirelessly to protect your rights and best interests.

Get in touch with us today by calling (626) 325-0660 or contacting us online.

What Is Estate Planning?

Estate planning is the process of deciding how you want your assets to be managed, preserved, and distributed after you pass away. It also involves making decisions about what medical care you want to receive if you are ever incapacitated and how you want your final arrangements to be handled.

Without a legally sound and comprehensive estate plan in place, your assets will be distributed according to the laws of intestate succession in California. This means that your assets may not be passed down to the people you would have chosen. Estate planning can help you avoid this and many other issues, such as probate and estate taxes.

Effective estate planning also involves digital assets and social media accounts. As our lives become increasingly virtual, deciding who will manage or deactivate online accounts is an important aspect to consider. Furthermore, planning for minor children by designating guardians and setting up trusts to secure their futures is crucial. A comprehensive approach, guided by an estate planning lawyer Covina trusts, can save your loved ones from complex legal challenges.

Our Estate Planning Services

Our firm provides a wide range of estate planning services to clients. We can help you create a plan that is specifically tailored to meet your unique needs and goals, whether simple or complex.

Our estate planning services include:

• Wills
• Trusts
• Medical Powers of Attorney
• Living Wills
• Advance Health Care Directives
• Financial Powers of Attorney
• Asset protection
• Charitable planning
• Conservatorships
• Elder law
• Guardianships
• Medi-Cal planning
• Probate Administration
• Retirement planning

We will take the time to learn about your unique needs and goals and help you determine the best way to protect your assets and your loved ones.

Comprehensive estate planning also involves periodic reviews and updates to adapt to changes in your life circumstances or modifications in the law. This proactive management ensures that your estate plan remains relevant and effective. We provide ongoing support to address these evolving needs and incorporate changes promptly, guided by our experienced estate planning attorney Covina residents rely on.

What Is the Probate Process?

The probate process is the legal procedure through which a deceased person's estate is settled and their assets are distributed to heirs or beneficiaries.

The probate process generally involves the following steps:

• Validating the decedent's will (if there is one)
• Inventorying the decedent's assets
• Paying the decedent's outstanding debts and taxes
• Notifying creditors and other interested parties
• Resolving any disputes (e.g., will contests, beneficiary disputes, etc.)
• Distributing the decedent's assets to heirs/beneficiaries

The probate process can vary in complexity depending on the decedent's estate size and whether or not there are any disputes among the beneficiaries. Additionally, navigating through probate requires substantial paperwork and strict adherence to deadlines set by the court, making professional guidance critical. Understanding local laws, like those specific to Covina, can mitigate conflicts and expedite the process significantly with the assistance of a probate attorney Covina relies on.

Why Choose Us?

When it comes to estate planning and probate matters, it is important to choose a lawyer who has extensive experience handling these matters. At the Law Office Of Donna Bachoura, we have been serving clients for years. We know how to effectively navigate the probate process and can help you create a comprehensive plan to protect your assets and your loved ones.

Our firm is dedicated to providing the highest level of legal service possible. When you choose us, you can expect to receive the one-on-one attention your case deserves. We will keep you updated on any developments in your case and will be available to answer your questions and address your concerns as they arise.

Additionally, we value transparency and aim to keep you informed about each step of the process, ensuring you understand your options fully. Our proactive communication and commitment to client education help you make well-informed decisions about your estate planning and probate strategies with the guidance of a probate lawyer Covina trusts.

Get Started Today

Whether you are interested in creating an estate plan or you need assistance with the probate process, we can help. Our firm is committed to providing the highest level of legal service to each and every client we serve. We will fight tirelessly for you and your family every step of the way.

Call (626) 325-0660 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with our estate planning and probate attorney in Covina.

Estate Planning & Probate FAQs

How Can Estate Planning Prevent Family Disputes?

Estate planning can significantly reduce the potential for family disputes by providing clear and concise instructions on how your estate should be handled. By having a well-documented plan, your intentions are laid out explicitly, which helps in minimizing disagreements among family members. 

Estate plans also consider contingencies such as conditions for distributing assets, which can prevent uncertainties. This clarity can prevent the frustration and resentment that might arise if distribution occurs under intestate laws, or without regard for family dynamics. 

Furthermore, planning with a trusted estate planning attorney Covina residents rely on ensures that all possible issues are preemptively addressed. Provisions such as those for minors, special needs trusts, or business succession often require thoughtful consideration to maintain harmony.

Why Is It Important to Regularly Update My Estate Plan?

Estate plans should be viewed as living documents that require updates as your life circumstances change. Changes such as marriage, divorce, the birth of children, or the acquisition or sale of significant assets can all necessitate plan revisions. Reviewing your estate plan regularly with our estate planning lawyer Covina trusts ensures that your current wishes are accurately reflected and legally enforceable. 

Additionally, periodic legislative changes could impact your estate’s handling if not updated. Maintaining an up-to-date estate plan ensures that your estate is distributed exactly as you intend, prevents tax liabilities, and shields estate executors from unforeseen challenges. Regular reviews of your estate plan foster peace of mind that your loved ones are adequately cared for.

What Are the Benefits of Creating a Trust?

Creating a trust offers numerous benefits, primarily as a tool for managing and protecting assets during your lifetime and beyond. Trusts can provide asset protection, enable efficient wealth transfer, reduce estate taxes, and avoid the lengthy probate process. 

Unlike wills, trusts can remain private and do not become part of the public record. Trusts can also be designed to provide for specific individuals, such as minors or disabled family members, under specified conditions. By setting up a trust with the assistance of a trust attorney Covina clients trust, you create a versatile and reliable mechanism for asset management that aligns with your unique estate planning goals.

How Does Probate Affect Inheritance in California?

Probate in California can significantly affect how inheritance is managed and distributed. The probate process is generally required to legally transfer ownership of a deceased person’s assets to their beneficiaries, especially when a will is involved. This process can take several months to years, during which assets may be inaccessible to heirs. 

Probate can also incur court fees, executor fees, and attorney’s fees, which are paid out of the estate’s value, reducing the inheritance left to beneficiaries. Understanding the intricacies of probate with a knowledgeable probate lawyer in Covina helps in streamlining the process and minimizing potential impacts on inheritance. In certain cases, strategies such as joint ownership, payable-on-death accounts, and trusts are used to bypass probate.

What Are the Key Differences Between a Will and a Trust?

Wills and trusts serve different purposes in an estate plan, and having both can be beneficial. A will is a legal document that outlines how your assets will be distributed upon death and can also be used to appoint guardians for minors. However, wills must go through probate, which is public and can be time-consuming. 

In contrast, a trust is a fiduciary arrangement in which a trustee holds legal title to the assets placed in the trust for the benefit of beneficiaries—allowing for the distribution of assets without probate. Trusts offer privacy, immediate asset distribution upon death, and more control over when and how beneficiaries inherit. Consulting with a trust lawyer Covina relies on can help determine which tools best suit your estate planning needs.