California Wills & Trusts Attorney
At the Law Offices of Robert Gantman, we provide experienced estate planning services to help our clients preserve their assets, prepare for the challenges of aging and to pass their legacy on to the next generation.
If you would like to schedule an initial, confidential consultation with attorney Robert Gantman, call us today at 818-501-0113 or contact our offices online any time. We can help you draft all types of wills, trusts, living trusts and other essential estate planning documents.
Fiction: "I do not need a trust, because I do not have a large estate."
Fact: The size of your estate has nothing to do with your wishes related to the distribution of your estate. An estate plan is expected to change, as your life changes.
Protecting Your Children
How can you take care of young children when you are gone? Here are a few ideas:
- Appoint a Guardian. Choose who you want to care for your children. If you don't, then the Court will decide who will care for your children. This is an important decision and it should be made by you, not the court.
- Appoint an Executor or Trustee to administer your estate on behalf of your children. Most people will agree that giving a young child (or even a young adult) a large estate, with no guidelines, is unwise. Some young adults may go through the estate, very quickly, without the guidance of an Executor, Trustee, or Guardian.
Remember, it is your estate and you get to choose how it is to be distributed.
Planning for the Unknown
It is wise to acknowledge the reality that one day you may be unable to make your own decisions. To prepare for that possibility, you should consider:
- Executing a power of attorney: You can have your spouse, your child or a trusted friend make decisions regarding your finances and living arrangements if you ever become disabled.
- Executing a health care directive: You can provide instructions regarding your medical treatment and end-of-life care.
Family Law and Divorce Considerations in Estate Planning
At the Law Offices of Robert Gantman, we have extensive experience helping clients with overlapping estate planning and family law concerns.
Marriage and divorce both have significant implications for any estate plan. If you plan ahead, you can take advantage of certain benefits and avoid common pitfalls. If you already have a significant amount of assets, or you have entered your second or third marriage, you may want to consider drafting a pre- or post-nuptial agreement to ensure that you are prepared in the event of divorce.
Probate and Estate Administration
We work closely with estate executors and administrators to ensure that the estates of their recently departed loved ones are distributed according to the expressed wishes contained in the decedent's will or trust. We can shoulder your burden so that you can focus on what's most important to you.
We welcome you to discuss your rights and options in a private consultation with lawyer Robert Gantman. To schedule an appointment, call us today at 818-501-0113 or contact our law offices online. We are located in Encino, California and we serve clients throughout Southern California.
