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Wills And Trusts

Talking about death is uncomfortable, and the idea of speaking with an attorney about wills and trusts can seem intimidating and unnecessary. But establishing these documents is an important part of preparing for the future. Speaking to a California attorney about wills and trusts at Bowles & Verna LLP, in Walnut Creek, can help you gain peace of mind knowing that your personal wishes are accurately recorded and will be carried out smoothly.

Should you establish a will? And is hiring an attorney really necessary?

You may think you should wait “until you are old” to create a will. There are at least two problems with this mindset. First, accidents and sudden illnesses can happen at any age. Secondly, a will may be challenged on the basis that a person did not possess his or her full faculties when it was formalized. The best way to ensure that your wishes will be honored is to put testamentary documents in place while you are still sharp-minded.

Potential Risks

Most adults have loved ones they care about, such as parents, spouses or children. Many individuals also favor charitable causes. Most adults also own property, which may be more valuable than they realize. Do you want to have a say in how your assets will be distributed someday? If you do not have a will or if your will is outdated, your wishes are likely to have no legal effect. Without a valid will, state law will determine what happens to your assets.

We are here to make the process as easy as possible and, most importantly, to give you the peace of mind that your wishes will be honored when the time comes. 

The Importance Of Well-Crafted Wills And Trusts

By careful drafting of wills and trusts, individuals can make binding decisions about how their assets will be distributed after death. Well-established trusts can keep many assets out of probate. However, everyone should also have a will to account for any assets not allocated to trusts. Powers of attorney are also important ways to ensure that representatives can conduct your financial business if you become incapacitated. Health care directives can prevent unnecessary disputes over medical decisions that may become critical.

Legal Assistance In Settling An Estate

Assuming responsibility for settling an estate belonging to a family member can seem overwhelming. Most administrators of estates find it important — and necessary — to consult with attorneys as they approach the process of probate administration. The same is typically true with regard to trusts. Attempting to settle an estate without a lawyer’s guidance can result in mistakes that will ultimately require litigation to resolve.

Get An Experienced Lawyer On Your Side Early On For Best Results

Preparation and foresight are the keywords when it comes to settling an estate. Prepare for a smooth distribution of your own assets after death through well-thought-out estate planning. On the other hand, if you are the person who will handle the distribution of assets for your parent’s or spouse’s estate, you can find valuable, personalized information and guidance from probate administration attorneys at Bowles & Verna LLP in Walnut Creek, California.

Prevent Or Quickly Settle Disputes

Perhaps your deceased loved one was in California and you, a family member responsible for the estate, live elsewhere. Perhaps a stepparent, a business partner or an estranged sibling wants to take a dispute to court and you have no choice but to seek legal representation.

On the other side of the coin, you may be the aggrieved party who feels compelled to bring legal action in an estate matter. Perhaps the deceased shared ownership of property with you and the estate administrator is not cooperating to allow for a reasonable settlement of this portion of the estate. Bowles & Verna LLP can advise you in any trust or probate-related dispute. We represent both plaintiffs and defendants in will contests and other types of legal claims and lawsuits involving the settling of estates. A probate attorney is prepared to keep you informed of your rights and go to bat on your behalf through:

  • Negotiations
  • Mediation
  • Litigation

We can relieve you of many burdens by advising you through all phases of probate administration and/or fulfillment of trusts put in place by the person who has died. Avoid potential litigation by getting an attorney’s advice as early in the process as possible. If a will contest cannot be avoided, we can represent you with a high priority on preventing unnecessary financial losses to costly litigation.

Our Commitment To Our Clients

We are here to make the process as easy as possible and, most importantly, to give you the peace of mind that your wishes will be honored when the time comes. Request an initial consultation with an estate planning attorney at Bowles & Verna LLP by contacting us online or calling us at 925-478-5763. We will help you put your affairs in order by beginning the process of creating or revising your will, trusts and other estate planning documents such as powers of attorney and health care directives.