Creating a will or trust allows you to plan for your family’s future in the event of your death. Ensure these plans are thorough and sound by enlisting the help of a legal professional when drafting your will or trust.
At the Law Offices of Andrew Cohen, an experienced Sherman Oaks, California wills and trusts attorney can walk you through every step of the process. We take the time to get to know your needs in order to tailor our services accordingly.
Why an Trust-focused Estate Plan is Important in California
Drafting an estate plan, typically focused around a revocable trust, is an important task regardless of how wealthy you may be. Doing so allows you to specify how certain property and assets will be divided among your beneficiaries should you pass away. If you don’t take this step while you are alive, in California, the court may have to make these decisions for you. There are no guarantee courts will divide your property according to your wishes.
It’s also vital that you update your Trust or Will when life circumstances change. For example, a major increase or decrease in the quantity or value of your assets can prompt you to change your Trust or Will. Along with drafting the initial document, a qualified Sherman Oaks Trust and Will attorney can help you alter your documents should be doing so become necessary.
Trusts vs. Wills: What You Need to Know
In California, a will is not the only option you have when deciding how to leave assets to loved ones. You could also set up a trust. This involves appointing a trustee to distribute property and assets that have been placed in the trust according to your wishes when you pass.
Benefits of trust include:
- Allowing your loved ones to ideally skip the probate process and receive their inheritance sooner than through the court system
- Protection of inheritances for a variety of beneficiaries
- Tax benefits in some circumstances
- Enhanced privacy
Those are just a few examples. The specific advantages a trust may deliver can vary based on what type of trust you set up. At our Sherman Oaks trusts and wills law firm, we assist clients in establishing a range of trusts, including (but not necessarily limited to) the following:
- Living trusts: When you set up a revocable living trust, you have the freedom to make changes to the trust during your lifetime.
- Special needs trusts: Although you may want to provide financial assistance to a loved one or family friend with a disability, if you provide too much, they might no longer qualify for certain forms of government assistance, such as SSI and Medicaid. A special needs trust offers guardrails, allowing you to place assets into a trust that someone else will manage on behalf of a person with a disability.
- Spendthrift trusts: This type of trust is useful when, due to factors like age or temperament, someone may not be able to responsibly manage their assets. For example, you could set up a spendthrift trust to leave assets or property to someone who won’t be old enough to effectively manage their inheritance when they receive it. You can give another individual authority to manage their inheritance for them until they reach a certain age.
Contact a Sherman Oaks Wills and Trusts Attorney
Although you may appreciate that setting up a will or a trust is an important task, the prospect of actually doing so could seem daunting. It doesn’t have to be. With help from an experienced Sherman Oaks wills and trusts attorney at the Law Offices of Andrew Cohen, you can easily plan your estate according to your goals. Learn more about how we can help by contacting us online or calling us at 661-481-0100.
