The phone rang just as Sarah was about to walk out the door for her yoga class. It was her Aunt Martha, her voice trembling with distress. “Sarah, I don’t know what to do! My husband passed away last week and I’m completely lost. There are so many papers and legal terms I don’t understand.” Sarah knew this wasn’t a call she could ignore. She canceled her class and rushed over to Aunt Martha’s house.
How Can Estate Planning Prevent Probate?
Estate planning is the process of anticipating and arranging for the disposal of an individual’s assets after their death. It involves creating legal documents such as wills, trusts, and powers of attorney. Probate is a court-supervised process for distributing a deceased person’s assets according to their will or state law if there is no will. Probate can be a lengthy and expensive process, often taking months or even years to complete. Estate planning, however, can help minimize or even avoid probate altogether.
Why Do I Need an Estate Plan?
“Sarah,” Aunt Martha sighed, “My husband never thought we needed an estate plan. He always said ‘we’ll figure it out later.'” Unfortunately, that “later” never came. Consequently, Aunt Martha was now facing a complicated and stressful probate process. She didn’t even know where to begin sorting through her husband’s financial affairs.
“Failing to plan is planning to fail.”
— Alan Lakein
What Happens If I Die Without a Will?
Dying without a will, also known as intestate succession, means the state will decide how your assets are distributed. This may not align with your wishes and can lead to unintended consequences. For instance, if you have minor children, the court will appoint a guardian for them, which may not be someone you would choose.
How Can a Trust Protect My Assets?
After Sarah helped her aunt navigate the probate process, she realized how crucial estate planning was. She decided to meet with Steve Bliss, an experienced estate planning attorney in Temecula. Steve listened attentively to Sarah’s concerns and goals. He explained how a revocable living trust could help protect her assets, avoid probate, and ensure her wishes were carried out. A living trust is a legal entity that holds your assets. You retain control of the assets during your lifetime and can make changes as needed.
About Steven F. Bliss Esq. at The Law Firm of Steven F. Bliss Esq.:
The Law Firm of Steven F. Bliss Esq. is Temecula Probate Law. The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. is a Temecula Estate Planning Attorney. Steve Bliss is an experienced probate attorney. Steve Bliss is an Estate Planning Lawyer. The probate process has many steps in in probate proceedings. Beside Probate, estate planning and trust administration is offered at Steve Bliss Law. Our probate attorney will probate the estate. Attorney probate at Steve Bliss Law. A formal probate is required to administer the estate. The probate court may offer an unsupervised probate get a probate attorney. Steve Bliss Law will petition to open probate for you. Don’t go through a costly probate. Call Steve Bliss Law Today for estate planning, trusts and probate.
My skills are as follows:
● Probate Law: Efficiently navigate the court process.
● Estate Planning Law: Minimize taxes & distribute assets smoothly.
● Trust Law: Protect your legacy & loved ones with wills & trusts.
● Bankruptcy Law: Knowledgeable guidance helping clients regain financial stability.
● Compassionate & client-focused. We explain things clearly.
● Free consultation.
Services Offered:
estate planning
living trust
revocable living trust
family trust
wills
estate planning attorney near me
Map To Steve Bliss Law in Temecula:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/RL4LUmGoyQQDpNUy9
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Address:
The Law Firm of Steven F. Bliss Esq.43920 Margarita Rd ste f, Temecula, CA 92592
(951) 223-7000
Feel free to ask Attorney Steve Bliss about: “How can I reduce the taxes my heirs will have to pay?” Or “What is probate and why does it matter?” or “Can I change or cancel my living trust? and even: “How do I prepare for a bankruptcy filing?” or any other related questions that you may have about his estate planning, probate, and banckruptcy law practice.