Your Ethical, Orange County, CA Wills Attorney
Looking to set up your dependents after you’re gone? Let us help you write a will that will help you avoid probate and ensure your loved ones are taken care of.
A will is your chance to cement your legacy, protect everything you have worked for all your life, and ensure it goes to help the people you intended it to help. Despite the will being an important part of your estate planning, it’s common for people to put it off and continue with their lives until it’s too late. There are various downsides that come with not having a will.
If you die without a will, your assets will be distributed according to California law, and that might not always be how you intended it. This is why you should consider getting a wills lawyer and start working on your estate planning as soon as possible.
At The Law Office of Rebecca Sommer, we understand how much your assets mean to you and, even more, how much you would want them to take care of the people you love when you can’t. That’s why we take the wills writing process with utmost seriousness. We listen to your needs and use our legal skills and experience to ensure you get the right outcome.
Call For A Free Assessment Of Your Needs | (657) 571-1241
The Difference Between A Will And A Trust
Wills and trusts are the two most commonly used ways to pass down your wealth. However, they work differently and understanding the differences can help you determine which one will better serve your needs.
- Purpose: Wills and trusts are ideal for different situations. If you have minor children or dependents or have specific wishes for your end-of-life care, you should consider writing a will. A trust is better suited if you want to distribute your assets while alive. A trust also helps you to reduce estate taxes or avoid the probate process after death.
- Setup: Wills are easier to setup compared to trusts. In the case of a trust, you need various legal documents, and the process is more formal than that of writing a will.
- Effective Date: A will take effect after you die. A trust, on the other hand, will come into effect once the documents are signed and the trust is funded. Once it takes effect, the trust takes priority over a will.
- Tax Considerations: A will does not help you avoid estate taxes if your estate is above a certain threshold. With an irrevocable trust, you can reduce your estate taxes and even protect your assets from creditors. A revocable trust will not offer you any tax benefits but will help you avoid probate.
- Privacy: A will is subject to probate, which is a public process. It is also possible to contest a will. A trust can help you bypass probate and offers more privacy for the beneficiaries and assets.
Living Will Vs. A Last Will Testament
If you’re considering writing a will, there are two types of wills we can help you with, depending on your needs and aspirations. The first is a living will. This is a document that contains your wishes and comes into play if you cannot carry out your professional or familial duties.
Typically, a living will is applied if you suffer life-threatening injuries or a medical condition that renders you unresponsive. They will dictate the type of medical care you want or don’t want and could even contain a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) clause.
The last will instruct your family and wills lawyer on how they will distribute your assets when you die. This type of will is the primary document in estate planning.
There are vast differences between the two, such as:
- A living will only focuses on your medical and healthcare decisions in end-of-life scenarios, while a last will focuses on your wishes after death.
- A living will make sure you get the medical care that aligns with your needs, while a last will ensures your recipients get your assets without intervention from the court.
- Your last will must be signed in the presence of two witnesses. In the case of a living will, you need a medical professional to be a witness or a signatory.
Call For A Free Assessment Of Your Needs | (657) 571-1241
Get Started On The Future Of Your Loved Ones Now!
Helping you take care of your family long after you’re gone!
Writing a will is an important event in everyone’s life. It is a huge testament to the love you have for the people in your life, and it shouldn’t be something that is done hurriedly. At The Law Office of Rebecca Sommer in Orange County, CA, we believe in making this process an interactive one where we listen to the needs of our clients to come up with tailored wills that suit their needs.
As your will lawyer near me, we leverage our skills and experience to help our clients ensure their dying wishes are followed through their will. To secure the future of your dependants as well, you can contact us at (657) 571-1241 to get started on your will today.
