TRUSTS AND ESTATES

California trusts and estates attorneys helping you plan

Whether you are planning the care or support of loved ones upon your death or wrangling with the probate process while mourning the loss of a loved one, the attorneys at Hughes & Hughes, LLP can help. We assist with all aspects of trusts and estates issues, including:

• Estate planning-setting up a trust and will
• Estate tax planning
• Guardianship
• Living wills
• Living trusts
• Probate
• Wills drafting and execution

Estate planning for family and business succession

You work hard for your family, so knowing that you have planned for their long-term well-being and financial security can bring you comfort. When devising an estate plan, we consider how best to protect your spouse, children, support your loved ones and contribute to the charitable causes that are special to you.

We thoroughly analyze your estate and plan with you for the best means of transferring your assets, minimizing taxes, establishing guardianship for your children, caring for your pets, supporting your personal philanthropic causes and protecting your loved ones.

If you own real property, whether it is paid for or has a mortgage, you need to consider a family trust in order to avoid having your family go to probate court to deal with your estate.  The option for probate can be a slow process with requirements to obtain court approval for many decisions that need to be done timely.

We also provide a health care directive which allow the principal to designate agents to make medical decision when the principal is unable to do so due to medical emergency or incapacity.  Our estate package will also include a Power of Attorney for Financial Matters, so that you, the principal can designate an agent to aid you in carrying our your responsibilities when you are unable to do so.

Trust Administration

When a trustmaker/settlor/trustor/grantor that has created a trust during their lifetime, the trust requires administration upon the death of the maker.  This is true generally and even when a husband and wife created a trust.  However, when assets have been properly placed in the living/family trust the trustee generally need not file a probate to transfer the assets to the designated beneficiaries.  Privacy is an important principle for many trustmakers.

Contact estate planning lawyers you can trust.

Hughes & Hughes, LLP serves clients in Woodland Hills and throughout California. Call us at 818-715-9558 or contact us online to schedule a consultation at our Woodland Hills office.