Estate Planning, Trusts
And Probate

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Estate Planning Center

Click here to register for Michelle’s next live Estate Planning Seminar

Michelle Lerman, one of the partners in Lerman Law Partners, is frequently asked to speak about estate planning. You may have heard her on the radio as well.

To put together a solid estate plan is to provide for the future of your loved ones. Without it, the government dictates how your property is distributed and the courts may pick a guardian for your children.

Attorney Michelle Lerman has created the following checklist to help you get ready for your first meeting. Contact Lerman Law Partners to set one up.

  • Have we considered what changes are needed to our estate plan under the law effective January 1, 2018?
  • Do we still need a “Bypass Trust” under the current law?
  • Do we need a Living Trust so that our assets avoid probate, or does a Will suffice?
  • Have we established our Living Trust so that our assets are protected for the entire lifetime of our children and pass to our grandchildren?
  • Who is the beneficiary of our life insurance, our Living Trust or minor children?
  • What are the advantages and disadvantages of an Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust?
  • Is the amount and type of our life insurance adequate for our family’s needs?
  • Do we have a buy-sell agreement for our business so our family will not suffer a financial hardship?
  • Are all of our assets properly titled in our Living Trust?
  • Have we properly designated the beneficiary of our retirement plans (i.e. IRA, 401k)?
  • Does our estate plan meet our charitable goals?
  • Have we put our estate planning documents in a safe deposit box or fireproof safe?

Not having an estate plan increases the likelihood of family member disputes leading to anger, resentment and bitterness. Meeting with a qualified estate planning lawyer will provide you with lasting peace of mind. We can help with:

  • Living trusts
  • Wills
  • Trust administration after a death
  • Trust disputes
  • Probate
  • Asset protection trusts
  • Irrevocable trusts

Start Your Estate Planning Today

We encourage you to engage a lawyer for your estate planning. However, if you have a very small estate, have no concerns about the costs and expense of probate, and insist on not engaging a lawyer (against our advice!), consider using the free California statutory Will form below.

Plan your estate. Contact us today. We have offices throughout California in San Rafael and San Francisco.

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