Homeowners
In California, even a modest home can push your estate into probate. A trust can help avoid it.
Estate planning
Protect your family and avoid probate
Without a plan, the courts may decide what happens to your home and savings, and probate can take months or years. As an estate planning coordinator, I help you put the right documents in place.
Who it's for
Is this right for you?
Parents
Name who will care for your children and manage their inheritance.
Retirees
Make sure your wishes are clear and your family isn't left with a court process.
What I help with
What your plan can include
Revocable living trust
Holds your assets so they pass to your family privately, without probate.
Pour-over will
A safety net that moves anything left outside your trust into it.
Power of attorney
Names someone to handle your finances if you can't.
Healthcare directive
States your medical wishes and names someone to speak for you.
Will vs. trust
What's the difference?
Revocable living trust
Your assets pass to your family without going through probate court.
- Avoids probate in most cases
- Keeps your affairs private
- Plans for incapacity, not just death
- Includes a pour-over will
Will
A simple way to name who receives your property and who cares for minor children.
- Names your beneficiaries
- Names a guardian for children
- Names an executor
- Usually goes through probate
Pricing and documents vary by state and situation. EverWell Insurance Solutions is not a law firm and does not give legal advice.
Common questions
Questions I hear often
What is probate?
Probate is the court process for settling an estate. It can be slow, public, and expensive. A properly funded living trust can help your family avoid it.
Do I need a trust or just a will?
It depends on what you own, where you live, and your family situation. On our call, I'll help you understand which fits.
Are you an attorney?
No. I'm an estate planning coordinator. I help you understand your options and coordinate the process, and documents are prepared in coordination with licensed professionals.
How much does probate cost in California?
California sets statutory fees for both the attorney and the executor based on the estate's gross value, not your equity. For example, a $500,000 estate can mean about $13,000 for the attorney and another $13,000 for the executor, plus court costs. Probate also commonly takes a year or more. A properly funded living trust can help your family avoid it.
What does it mean to “fund” a trust?
Funding means moving your assets into the trust's name, such as recording a new deed for your home and retitling bank and investment accounts. A trust only controls the assets that are in it, so funding is the step that actually keeps those assets out of probate. I'll help you with a checklist so nothing is missed.
Can I change my trust later?
Yes. A revocable living trust can be updated or canceled at any time while you're alive and able to make decisions. You stay in control of your property as the trustee.
What happens if I die without a will or trust in California?
State law decides who inherits your property, which may not match your wishes, and a court appoints someone to manage your estate. If you have minor children, a judge decides who will care for them. Your family will likely have to go through probate.
How often should I update my estate plan?
Review it every few years and after major life events, such as marriage, divorce, a birth or death in the family, buying or selling a home, or moving to another state.
Let's talk about your plan
A free, no-pressure call. Bring your questions and I'll walk you through your options.