San Diego Estate Planning

Find the right Wills & Trusts attorney in San Diego, CA

In San Diego, estate planning refers to the process of deciding what should be done with one's assets after their death.

Estate planning typically requires the advice of a legal and/or financial expert, because the issues involved can be difficult, and are considered by most to be extremely important. A flawed estate plan might create conflict between your survivors, resulting in your intentions not being given effect.

In addition to deciding what to do with your assets after your death, your estate plan should also include things that might become relevant during life. Power of attorney is a big one. Power of attorney is an arrangement in which you give another person the ability to make decisions for you, if you become incapacitated. Furthermore, effective estate planning can help reduce the effect of taxes and court fees on your final disposition to your chosen beneficiaries.

A qualified estate planner in San Diego can make the process of planning your estate go much more smoothly, and maximize the chances of your wishes really being carried out with legal force.

Common Features of San Diego Estates

Will: This is a legal document which transfers ownership of the testator's (the person making the will) property to named beneficiaries after the testator's death. The beneficiaries can be just about anyone the testator chooses, but smaller estates, usually only include family members, and maybe very close friends. If you want, you can place conditions on gifts (say, leaving a certain amount of money to your son, but only if he graduates college before he turns 25 - this is just an example). However, a will can't actually compel anyone to do anything, and some conditional gifts won't be enforced, usually because they involve an illegal act, or require a person to marry or refrain from marrying a certain person.

Living Will: This is a document which lays out instructions for your medical care, should you become so sick or badly harmed that you are unable to express your wishes. It should state under what situations you want to remain on life support. A well-drafted living will can prevent you from being kept alive in a permanent vegetative state (if that is not what you want), while ensuring that you receive medical care as long as you have a chance at recovery.

Power of Attorney: Power of attorney is the power to make binding decisions for another person, when that person becomes unable to make or express their own decisions. You can grant power of attorney to anyone you want, but, for obvious reasons, you should only grant it to somebody you trust, and discuss your exact wishes with them, in case they actually have to make a decision for you.

Funeral Arrangements: If you have any strong preferences regarding the disposition of your physical remains, you should make them known to your family early, and should not include funeral instructions in your will. Wills are commonly read weeks after the testator dies, so in most cases, it will be too late by then.

Do I Need a San Diego Estates Lawyer?

A brilliant estates lawyer in San Diego can make the estate planning process much easier. He or she can maximize the chances of your wishes being given effect. Additionally, a good and clear estate plan is far less likely to result in litigation in the future, since disputes of this nature are almost always the result of ambiguity.

Talk to a Wills, Trusts & Estates Law Attorney now!

Life in San Diego

San Diego is one of California's most beautiful cities. It is filled with history, great attractions, great weather, and gorgeous beaches! Families can enjoy a day at the USS Midway Museum, Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo, Torrey Pines State Reserve, Cabrillo National Monument, Pirate Ship Adventures, and Point Loma.

Alongside all the great attractions for family are the excellent restaurants, famous Mexican food, shopping (with great outlets like the Las Americas Premium Outlets), and great nightlife, especially in Downtown San Diego's Gaslamp District. If you want to just relax and enjoy the beach, San Diego has many beaches to choose from such as Coronado Beach, Ocean Beach, Del Mar, La Jolla, Pacific Beach, and Mission Beach.

San Diego also caters to its citizens' legal needs with many reputable law firms having office locations in prime areas of San Diego. In fact San Diego also has three law schools, whose graduates often find employment in these firms and travel around the United States for various cases. All in all, San Diegans have a beautiful ambiance to enjoy and great lawyers to protect and advocate for their legal interests.

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