IT’S NEVER TOO EARLY TO PLAN FOR THE UNEXPECTED

At Edgar Law Group, LLP, we help our clients achieve peace of mind by putting together comprehensive end-of-life and incapacity plans that address many of the situations people commonly face. Our principal San Jose estate planning lawyer, Ronda Edgar, uses her legal experience and tax knowledge to help her clients pass their wealth on with minimum difficulty and tax consequence for their families and loved ones.

ESTATE PLANNING ATTORNEY IN SAN JOSE HELPS ALL TYPES OF PEOPLE

Planning for death or incapacity can involve several different steps:

• Wealth management – A comprehensive estate plan should pursue several goals: minimize probate, reduce tax consequences, define a distribution scheme and ensure income for minor or otherwise incapacitated beneficiaries. A good estate plan may use a variety of tools, including wills, trusts, life insurance policies, jointly titled assets and more. This is especially important for non-U.S. residents who may face additional challenges. A living trust is also a valuable estate planning tool that can preserve privacy, reduce estate taxes and greatly simplify probate.
• Probate – Probate is the court-supervised process of distributing a deceased person’s property under the terms of his or her will. Probate can vary from fairly simple to very complicated depending on the size and nature of the estate, the terms of the will and the actions of the family members or other beneficiaries. An estate planning lawyer in San Jose can help executors and beneficiaries navigate the probate process and can help constructively resolve disputes if they arise.
• Powers of attorney – A power of attorney is a great tool for making your wishes regarding your property and health care clear to your loved ones in the event you become incapacitated. These documents remove ambiguity and pressure from your family and provide guidance regarding your affairs.
• Guardianship – For a loved one who became incapacitated prior to executing a power of attorney, establishing a conservatorship can allow an appointed family member or loved one to make decisions regarding his or her health care and financial affairs. For a minor child whose parents are, for whatever reason, no longer able to make decisions, a guardianship can serve the same purpose.

CONTACT AN EXPERIENCED SAN JOSE ESTATE PLANNING LAW FIRM

As a San Jose estate planning attorney, Ronda Edgar has helped numerous Californians with the process of planning for end of life or incapacity as well as facing the legal issues raised by the death or incapacity of a loved one. She uses her considerable legal and tax knowledge to help simplify these often-complex processes. We are conveniently located in downtown San Jose and serve businesses and individuals throughout the Bay Area, including Sacramento, San Francisco, Oakland, Modesto and the surrounding areas. We offer flexible hours by appointment and free consultations. Call us today at 877-345-3591 or contact us online to discuss your case.