Services
Estate planning is not about creating the most complicated set of legal documents possible.
It is about making sure the right people can make decisions for you if you become incapacitated, ensuring your assets pass according to your wishes, and helping your family navigate difficult circumstances with as little stress as possible.
Every family is different. The best plan for a retired homeowner may look very different from the best plan for a young family with small children. My goal is to help clients create practical plans that fit their assets, family circumstances, and long-term goals.
Estate Planning
Estate planning helps ensure that your wishes are carried out both during your lifetime and after your death.
An estate plan may include:
• Revocable Living Trusts
• Wills
• Durable Financial Powers of Attorney
• Advance Health Care Directives
• Beneficiary Designation Review
• Guardian Nominations for Minor Children
Many estate planning issues can be avoided through proper planning and periodic review.
Learn More:
- Do You Even Need a Trust?
- Do I Need a Trust or a Will in California?
- Estate Planning Mistakes I See Most Often in Silicon Valley
Probate
Probate is the court-supervised process used to administer certain estates after death.
Many Silicon Valley families are surprised to learn how probate works and how probate fees are calculated. I guide families and individuals through this court process.
Whether probate is required depends on the assets involved and how those assets were titled.
Learn More:
- How Probate Works in California
- How Much Does Probate Cost in California?
- What Assets Avoid Probate in California?
- What Happens If Someone Dies Without a Will in California?
Trust Administration
When a person dies with a trust, the successor trustee is often responsible for gathering assets, notifying beneficiaries, managing property, paying expenses, and making distributions.
Trust administration often involves legal, financial, tax, and practical considerations that require careful attention.
Many trustees have never handled these responsibilities before. I help them understand and fulfill these responsibilities.
Learn More:
- Trust Administration After Death
- What Are a Trustee’s Duties in California?
- What Happens If a Trustee Refuses to Act?
- Heggstad Petitions Explained: Fixing Trust Funding Problems in California
Guardianships
When parents are unable to care for a child, court involvement may be necessary to appoint a guardian.
Guardianship proceedings can be emotionally difficult for families, particularly during periods of uncertainty or crisis.
Parents can often reduce uncertainty by planning ahead and nominating guardians as part of a comprehensive estate plan.
Learn More:
- What Happens If Parents Die Without Naming a Guardian?
- How Do I Become Guardian of a Minor Child in California?
Common Estate Planning Problems
Over the years, I’ve learned that many estate planning problems are preventable.
Some of the most common issues I encounter include:
• trusts that were signed but never funded;
• beneficiary designations that no longer reflect a client’s wishes;
• estate plans that were never updated after major life changes;
• missing incapacity documents;
• and families who mistakenly assume probate will not be required.
Many of these issues can be avoided with proper planning and periodic review.
Learn More:
California Estate Planning & Probate Guide
Many of the questions I receive from clients are addressed in my California Estate Planning & Probate Guide, including topics involving trusts, probate, trust administration, trustee duties, guardianships, and estate planning for families.
The guide was created to provide clear, practical information regarding common estate planning and probate issues facing California families.
View the California Estate Planning & Probate Guide
Contact
If you have questions about estate planning, probate, trust administration, or guardianships, contact the Law Office of Adam T. Evan at (408) 515-9005 to schedule a consultation.
Law Office of Adam T. Evan 