Carlsbad Wills and Trusts Attorneys

Proactive Approach to Protecting Your Assets

The loss of a loved one brings a sense of personal loss to a family. Then, add the confusion and uncertainty from a lack of estate planning to that grief.

You are entitled to designate how your assets should be distributed to the heirs you select, not what is chosen by a probate court. However, without proper wills, trusts and other estate planning instruments, your family will have no option but to follow designations made in accordance with California probate statutes. At The Loftin Firm LLP, in San Diego County, we take a proactive and creative approach in developing your estate plan.

While no one wants to consider their own mortality, you must think of those you leave behind. Contact a Carlsbad wills and trusts lawyer at The Loftin Firm LLP at 866.933.2340.

Our estate planning practice emphasizes creating individualized plans tailored to meet the unique needs and goals of clients. We offer informative advice and counsel as we create simple or complex wills and trusts to accomplish your estate planning objectives.

• Last will and testament: Your last will and testament is your opportunity to designate who you want to inherit your property and assets, how you want assets distributed to those heirs and how you would like the administration of your estate handled (including naming who you would like to manage the administration of your estate). You can designate a legal guardian for minor children and create trusts to provide for minor children through your last will and testament. Many people use wills and trusts in conjunction to create a solid estate plan.
• Trusts: Trusts offer many benefits to both the individual creating the trust as well as to those who will be designated as beneficiaries. Trusts can be created for your benefit during your lifetime, with successor beneficiaries after your passing, or they can be created in accordance with instructions in your will. Trusts can also be created by you to provide long-term guidance and financial planning for the beneficiaries of the trust, such as your children. Depending on the type of trust created, it can assist in minimizing taxes, preserving wealth, shielding assets from creditors and controlling when and how assets are distributed to beneficiaries. We can assist with all types of testamentary and living trusts, such as life insurance trusts, AB trusts, special needs trusts, charitable trusts, spend-thrift trusts and various other types of trusts.

San Diego County Estate Administration Lawyers — Helping You Understand Estate Planning vs. Probate

Without a will, there is uncertainty as to who will receive your estate. In California, the process is lengthy as court dockets are usually filled to capacity. A will is a vital estate planning tool to make sure your desires are known and your heirs will be protected.

Even with a will, however, your family will need to go through probate administration to administer the estate. This is a formal process, and often will go smoothly if a solid estate plan is in place. If arguments do arise among family members or creditors, your probate lawyer can help protect your interests and the decedent's wishes. Our law firm can provide the experienced counsel necessary in all aspects of probate and estate administration as well as trust administration in California.

In addition to handling administration of estates in connection with the probate process, our law firm also handles estate administration for general estates.

Contact a Carlsbad Wills and Trusts Lawyer

For more information about wills and trusts, or to schedule an appointment with an experienced estate planning lawyer, please contact our San Diego County law firm to schedule an appointment. At The Loftin Firm LLP, we offer creative fee structures to fit the needs of our clients.