Estate Planning
Estate Planning
Do You Have a Clear Picture?
Have you ever wondered what would happen legally and financially to you, your loved ones, your assets, and everything you care about in the event of an unexpected occurrence?
If your estate plan is outdated, there’s a risk of losing your assets to the state department of unclaimed property or becoming entangled in an unnecessary and public court process.
Even without an estate plan, your state has a default plan in place, and it may not align with your preferences.
The critical point is this: If you’re unsure about the legal and financial outcomes for your loved ones and possessions, it’s time to gain clarity. Understanding your current situation will empower you to decide whether it aligns with your wishes.
Before delving into personalized planning at Kitzes Law, you’ll complete a Family Wealth Inventory & Assessment. This step aids in clarifying your assets and prompts thoughtful consideration regarding the well-being of your loved ones and belongings.
If, upon reflection, you find the current state of affairs unacceptable and we both agree on a collaborative fit, we’ll work together to design an estate plan tailored to your family’s needs.
The core of this plan often involves a meticulously crafted revocable living trust. When executed accurately and upheld over time, this trust can spare your family the expenses and delays associated with the public probate process while potentially reducing or eliminating estate taxes.
For those with additional complexities, we offer advanced estate planning services.
“Can I DIY My Estate Plan?” ”Can I just go with that $995 plan I saw a Facebook post for?”
This question comes up frequently, and the reality is that most DIY plans fall short. Much of what is marketed as estate “planning” amounts to little more than automated word processing.
DIY plans typically involve answering a few automated questions, after which a software-driven drafter determines which generic “plan” suits you. This approach often results in a template document that may not align with your unique needs or situation.
Others in the legal profession that focus on contested probate and trust litigation love DIY plans and those that are too cheap actually be thoughtful because they keep their litigation practices busy.
While we wish our colleagues well, we recommend that you contact Kitzes Law, so your family members do not need end having to engage in a protracted and expensive legal battle when you become incapacitated or pass.
At Kitzes Law, we have over 26 years of experience. At Kitzes Law we are dedicated to educating you and understanding your family dynamics, concerns, goals, and challenges. We are not in a hurry, it is important to us that we patiently address all your questions, ensuring the design of your estate plan not only fits your needs but also keeps your loved ones out of court and away from conflict.
How We Can Help You
Estate planning at Kitzes Law is not one size fits all. We offer 3 levels of planning to suit your varying needs. From starter plans, primarily for families with young children and little in the way of financial wealth, to more robust plans for well-established families concerned with matters of asset protection, preservation and increased growth, we’ve got you covered... Continue Reading Here
We believe in personalized service for each and every client. Our approach is educational and proactive – we educate you based on the specifics of your family situation, your assets, and your individual needs, wants, desires and values and then guide you to tell us what you want most, so we can create the plan (and the fee for that plan) that aligns with your objectives for your family and your assets... Continue Here
We have annual membership programs to ensure your plan continues to work throughout your lifetime, your assets are always owned in the right way and you are able to feel confident calling us with any legal issue without ever worrying about receiving a bill in the mail for hourly fees. Whether you participate in one of our membership programs or not, we keep all of our clients updated about changes in the law and issues that might affect your life... Continue Reading Here
How We Guide You to Leave a Legacy That’s About Much More Than Just Your Money
After you are gone, your loved ones will miss you deeply. They will long for your words of counsel and concern. Hearing your voice again would be a tremendous gift.
Through our unique legacy process, you can give your loved ones the most precious gift – a lasting expression of your love. What could be more valuable?... Continue Reading Here
When a loved one dies, it can be a confusing time in which you are in immense grief while also needing to make sure you handle all the technical details of locating assets, paying bills, and making sure your loved one’s assets get to the right people – without conflict. We are here to help... Continue Here
If you are here to learn about California probate after the passing of a loved one, we first want to say that we are very sorry for your loss. We hope that the information you find on this page will simplify any legal and administrative headaches you might otherwise face during such a difficult time... Continue Reading Here
Did you know that 69% of parents have not yet named guardians for their kids?
And, of the 31% who have, most have made one of six common mistakes? Click this link to review the 6 common mistakes most parents (and their lawyers!) make when naming legal guardians and then schedule a Family Wealth Planning Session with us today so we can fix those mistakes with you... Continue Reading Here
Planning for Everyone You Love and Everything You Have
Do you know what would happen legally – to you, your loved ones, your assets and everything else you care about – if something unexpected happened to you?
If you have an estate plan and it’s out of date, your assets could be lost to the State Department of Unclaimed Property or to an unnecessary court process... Continue Reading Here
