Bethel Law Estate Planning

 At Bethel Law, we recognize the importance of a well-crafted estate plan in securing your family's future and preserving your legacy. Our knowledgeable attorneys have provided personalized estate planning services to clients throughout California, with a focus on San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, Orange, and Los Angeles counties. As a family-owned business, we understand the value of relationships and take pride in our ability to create tailored solutions that align with our clients' unique goals and values. Our expertise, attention to detail, and commitment to staying up-to-date with the ever-changing trust and estate laws enable us to offer comprehensive, proactive guidance that safeguards your assets and provides peace of mind for you and your loved ones.

Personalized Estate Planning Services

Revocable Living Trust

A Revocable Living Trust is a flexible and powerful estate planning tool that allows the settlor to maintain control over their assets during their lifetime and ensures that their estate is distributed according to their wishes after their death, avoiding the time-consuming and expensive probate process.

Pour Over Will

A Pour Over Will is a type of will that works in conjunction with a Revocable Living Trust. It directs that any assets not already in the trust at the time of the settlor's death be "poured over" into the trust and distributed according to the terms of the trust.

Durable Financial Power of Attorney

A Durable Financial Power of Attorney is a legal document that allows a designated agent to manage the financial affairs of the principal (the person granting the power) in the event of their incapacity. This includes managing bank accounts, paying bills, and making financial decisions on the principal's behalf.

Advance Healthcare Directive

An Advance Healthcare Directive, also known as a living will or medical power of attorney, is a legal document that allows an individual to express their preferences regarding medical treatment in the event they become unable to communicate or make decisions for themselves due to illness or incapacity.

Estate Portfolio Overview

An Estate Portfolio Overview is a comprehensive summary of an individual's estate plan, including all relevant documents, assets, and instructions. This document serves as a convenient reference for the client, their family, and their professional advisors.

Estate Portfolio Funding Instructions

Estate Portfolio Funding Instructions provide detailed guidance on how to transfer assets into a Revocable Living Trust or other estate planning vehicles, ensuring that the estate plan is properly funded and executed.

Letter of Instruction

A Letter of Instruction is an informal, non-legal document that provides additional guidance and information to the executor or trustee of an estate, such as funeral arrangements, important contacts, and personal messages to loved ones.

Quitclaim & Grant Deeds

A Quitclaim Deed is often erroneously referred to as a Quickclaim Deed, or Quick Claim Deed. Quitclaim and Grant Deeds are legal instruments used to transfer real property from one party to another. These documents may be used in estate planning to transfer property into a trust or to change the ownership structure of real estate.

Affidavits

Affidavits are sworn, written statements that can be used to establish facts in estate planning, such as the existence of a trust, the identity of trustees, or the validity of an estate planning document.

Preliminary Change of Ownership Form

A Preliminary Change of Ownership Form is a required document in some jurisdictions when transferring real property. It provides information about the transfer and helps the county assessor determine if the transfer is subject to reassessment for property tax purposes.

Assignment of Deed of Trust or Promissory Note

An Assignment of Deed of Trust or Promissory Note is a legal document that transfers the lender's interest in a loan to another party, such as a trust or a successor trustee.

Community Property Agreement

A Community Property Agreement is a legal contract between spouses that defines their property rights and obligations, including the classification of assets as community property or separate property.

Schedule A

Schedule A is an itemized list of assets included in a trust, detailing the specific property that makes up the trust's corpus.

Funding Instructions to Banks, Financial Institutions & Brokerage Houses

Funding instructions are provided to banks, financial institutions, and brokerage houses to ensure that assets are properly retitled and transferred into the trust or other estate planning vehicles.

Medi-Cal/Public Benefits Planning Language

Medi-Cal/Public Benefits Planning Language is incorporated into estate planning documents to help clients preserve their eligibility for government assistance programs, such as Medi-Cal or Supplemental Security Income, while still providing for their needs through the use of specialized trusts.

Special Needs Trust (SNT)

A Special Needs Trust (SNT) is a specialized legal tool designed to hold assets for the benefit of a person with disabilities, without jeopardizing their eligibility for government assistance programs, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid. The trustee of the SNT can use trust assets to provide for the beneficiary's supplemental needs, such as education, therapy, and recreation, without affecting their government benefits.

County Assessor Negotiations

County Assessor Negotiations involve working with county assessors to minimize property tax reassessments and ensure that transfers of real property in the context of estate planning are properly recorded and assessed for tax purposes.

Estate Planning for Life Stages

Our firm is experienced in representing clients at various stages of life, tailoring our estate planning services to meet the unique needs of each client. These life stages include:

• Traditional two-parent families or single parents

• Unmarried couples

• Blended families

• High net worth families

• Family business owners

• Estate executors and beneficiaries

• Family members handling trust administration

• Executors, trustees, and beneficiaries resolving conflicts

• Families and individuals planning for special needs

By understanding our clients' individual goals and values, we create customized estate plans that provide for their loved ones, protect their assets, and ensure a lasting legacy. Our proactive and educational approach keeps our clients informed and engaged throughout the estate planning process, and our commitment to staying current on trust and estate laws ensures that their plans remain effective as laws and circumstances change.

Longevity and Ongoing Support

We recognize that our clients' lives and needs will change over time, and we are committed to providing ongoing support to ensure that their estate plans remain up-to-date and effective. We offer no-charge reviews of our clients' estate plans, allowing us to make necessary adjustments as their circumstances evolve. By staying in close contact with our clients and monitoring changes in trust and estate laws, we help them protect their assets and secure their financial futures.

Free Consultation

At Bethel Law, we are dedicated to helping you navigate the complexities of estate planning, ensuring your wishes are carried out, and your family's future is protected. With our years of experience, in-depth knowledge, and personalized approach, we are confident in our ability to create an estate plan that reflects your unique goals and values. As a family-owned business, we understand the importance of securing your family's future and take pride in providing the compassionate support you need during this process. We invite you to contact us for a free consultation to discuss your estate planning needs, and together, we can create a customized solution that safeguards your legacy and provides peace of mind for generations to come.

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