California Estate Planning Services
Don’t Avoid California Estate Planning Due to the High Cost of Lawyers or Financial Planners!
Did you know you can create your estate plan quickly and affordably—without hiring an attorney OR a financial planner? Whether you’re looking for a revocable living trust or a will package, Probate & More is here to help with your California estate planning needs!
As a result, our cost-effective and comprehensive online estate planning service makes securing your future and protecting your loved ones simple. No more delays due to high costs—now is the perfect time to tackle this essential task with confidence and ease.
In addition, with the expert support and guidance of Probate & More, creating your estate plan has never been this straightforward. Ready to get started? Let’s make it happen—your peace of mind is just a click away!
Average Customer Savings
when using our California estate planning services instead of a lawyer
Average Customer Savings
when using our California estate planning services instead of a lawyer
California Estate Planning Documents and Packages
Clear, Simple, Low-Cost California Estate Planning Help Without The Lawyers
Most importantly, estate planning is one of the key steps you can take to protect your assets, provide for your loved ones, and ensure your wishes are honored. However, traditional attorney fees can make creating documents like revocable living trusts, wills, healthcare directives, and powers of attorney feel out of reach for many. That’s where Probate & More comes in. Instead, we offer a cost-effective alternative that combines professional support with the convenience of online services. This allows you to prepare these essential documents without the high price tag of an attorney. As a result, with our user-friendly process and expert support, estate planning has never been easier—or more affordable.
California Estate Planning Documents and Packages
Clear, Simple, Low-Cost California Estate Planning Help Without The Lawyers
Most importantly, estate planning is one of the key steps you can take to protect your assets, provide for your loved ones, and ensure your wishes are honored. However, traditional attorney fees can make creating documents like revocable living trusts, wills, healthcare directives, and powers of attorney feel out of reach for many. That’s where Probate & More comes in. Instead, we offer a cost-effective alternative that combines professional support with the convenience of online services. This allows you to prepare these essential documents without the high price tag of an attorney. As a result, with our user-friendly process and expert support, estate planning has never been easier—or more affordable.
Learn About our Various Cost-Saving Estate Planning Services.
Because every family is different, at Probate & More, we know that no two estate plans are the same. Therefore, we take a personal, hands-on approach to make sure your California estate plan fits your unique needs. In contrast to services that rely only on automated forms, we go the extra mile to ensure your estate plan is done right.
Here’s how it works: First, you’ll complete a simple online worksheet to provide us with the foundational details. Next, we’ll schedule a one-on-one phone consultation with one of our experienced estate planning specialists. During this call, we’ll carefully review every detail and provision. As a result, your final estate plan reflects exactly what you want.
Ultimately, with Probate & More, you’re not just getting an estate plan—you’re getting peace of mind, knowing your wishes are clear and your loved ones are protected. It’s California estate planning made simple, personal, and affordable. Let’s create the perfect plan for you today!
Exceptional California Estate Planning Tailored to You
Questions, Answers and Helpful FAQs
Common questions about California estate planning, revocable living trusts, wills, advance healthcare directives, and financial powers of attorney.
Estate planning is the process of preparing for the future by deciding who will get your money, property, and other assets after you die. In California, it’s important because it helps avoid lengthy court processes, known as probate, and ensures your wishes are followed.
An Advance Healthcare Directive is a legal document that allows you to outline your healthcare preferences in advance, including the appointment of a healthcare agent to make medical decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so yourself.
An Advance Healthcare Directive ensures that your healthcare wishes are followed if you are incapacitated and unable to communicate. It also designates a trusted individual to make decisions for you, relieving loved ones from the burden of making difficult medical choices.
If you don’t have an estate plan in California, the state will decide how your assets are divided. This process, known as intestate succession, may not align with your wishes and can lead to delays and family conflicts. Depending on the value of assets of your estate, your heirs and beneficiaries may need to complete a lengthy probate process to have the assets distributed to them.
Both a will and a living trust are useful, but they serve different purposes. A will is a document that outlines your wishes for after you pass away, while a living trust helps manage your assets while you’re alive and can avoid probate after your death.
An Advance Healthcare Directive typically includes two key components: a healthcare power of attorney (appointing someone to make medical decisions) and instructions for healthcare preferences, such as end-of-life care, organ donation, and life-sustaining treatments.
To create a Financial Power of Attorney in California, you need to sign a legal document that names your agent and outlines the powers you want to grant them. It’s a good idea to consult a lawyer to ensure it’s valid and suits your needs.
A living trust is a legal document that lets you transfer your assets into a trust while you’re alive. After your death, the trust helps distribute your assets to the beneficiaries without going through the probate process, saving time and money.
Yes, you can change or revoke your Advance Healthcare Directive at any time as long as you are mentally competent. To revoke, simply destroy the document or create a new one stating your wishes clearly.
You can choose anyone over the age of 18 to be your healthcare agent, as long as they are not your healthcare provider or an employee of your healthcare provider (unless they are a family member). The agent must be someone you trust to act in your best interests.
It is typically not necessary to hire a lawyer to prepare a standard California estate plan as a Registered Legal Document Assistant’s office generally uses the exact same software to prepare estate documents as an attorney does, However, while it’s not required to hire a lawyer, consulting with a lawyer may be helpful in dealing with complex situations like blended families or business ownership.
Yes! A revocable living trust can be changed or canceled anytime while you’re alive. You can update it if your situation changes, like getting married, having children, or acquiring more assets.
No, you do not need a lawyer to create an Advance Healthcare Directive in California. The form is straightforward, and can easily be completed by a registered legal document assistant. However, it must be signed in front of a notary or two witnesses to be legally valid.
Yes, once signed and notarized (or witnessed), your Advance Healthcare Directive is legally binding in California. Healthcare providers are required to follow your instructions unless they are unable to do so for medical reasons.
Without an Advance Healthcare Directive, if you become incapacitated, your family members or loved ones may have to go through a lengthy legal process to obtain the authority to make healthcare decisions on your behalf. This can create confusion and conflict during difficult times.
Yes! You can include charitable organizations as beneficiaries in your will or trust. Doing so can help support causes you care about, and there may be tax benefits to making charitable donations through your estate.
Your estate plan should include a will or living trust, a durable power of attorney for finances, an advance healthcare directive, and beneficiary designations for your accounts and insurance policies.
Your trustee or executor should be someone responsible and trustworthy. This could be a family member, friend, or a professional like a lawyer or financial institution. Choose someone who understands your wishes and can handle the responsibilities.
Yes, you can specify your wishes for end-of-life care in your Advance Healthcare Directive, including decisions about life-sustaining treatments, organ donation, and whether you want to be kept alive by artificial means if there is no reasonable hope for recovery.
You should review and update your estate plan at least every 3-5 years or after any major life events, such as marriage, divorce, birth of a child, or purchasing new property. Regular updates ensure your estate plan stays aligned with your current wishes and California law.
A durable power of attorney allows someone to manage your financial affairs if you’re unable to do so due to illness or injury. It’s an important part of estate planning in California to ensure someone can step in and take care of things for you.
No, a healthcare agent can only make medical decisions on your behalf. Financial decisions are handled by a separate document, such as a durable power of attorney. You can appoint a different person to handle financial matters if needed.
A Financial Power of Attorney is the same as a durable power of attorney. This document is important because it ensures that someone can step in and make financial decisions for you if you become ill, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to manage your finances. It helps avoid delays and confusion.
Your agent should be someone you trust completely, such as a family member, friend, or professional. The person should be responsible, organized, and capable of handling your financial matters.
You can give your agent broad powers to manage your finances, such as paying bills, managing investments, handling taxes, and making business decisions. Alternatively, you can limit their powers to specific tasks, like selling a property.
Yes! You can revoke or change your Financial Power of Attorney at any time, as long as you are mentally capable of doing so. To change the document, you must create a new one and inform your agent and any third parties involved.
No, a Financial Power of Attorney only covers financial matters. If you want someone to make medical decisions for you, you need a separate legal document called an Advance Healthcare Directive or Medical Power of Attorney.
Yes, you can limit the powers of your agent. For example, you might only want them to handle specific transactions, like selling a property or managing an investment account. The document can specify exactly what your agent can and cannot do.
Without a Financial Power of Attorney, if you become unable to handle your finances, your family may need to go to court to get conservatorship over you. This can be expensive, time-consuming, and stressful for your loved ones.
A Financial Power of Attorney lasts until you revoke it, pass away, or become incapacitated (if it’s a durable power of attorney). If it’s not durable, it ends if you become mentally incapacitated. It’s important to update your financial power of attorney if your situation changes.
Yes, a Financial Power of Attorney can be used even if you are mentally capable. If you choose, you can let your agent help manage your finances when you need assistance, but it’s not mandatory unless you are incapacitated.
Your Estate, Your Plan, Your Peace of Mind
Let’s Work Together
At Probate & More, we’re all about making your estate planning experience as seamless and empowering as possible! We know that the best results come from working hand-in-hand with you, combining our expertise with your vision. Together, we’ll help you create an estate plan that works for you, help you keep legal costs in check, and ensure a smooth, stress-free journey from start to finish!
