Irvine, California Attorney, Mark W. Bidwell

Attorney Prepared Living Trusts, Wills and Estate Plans

Any California resident owning real estate or other assets in excess of $150,000 should have a trust to avoid probate and reduce or eliminate estate taxes. A Will goes through probate, a trust does not. Joint tenancy goes through probate when there is no living joint tenant. A trust will most likely save $15,000 to $45,000 in legal fees when compared to a Will and the probate process.

To set up a meeting to discuss your needs . . .

call 949-474-0961

 Types of Trusts Prepared

 Affordable, lawyer prepared living trusts

Exemption trust, also known as credit shelter, AB and Bypass trusts

Irrevocable life insurance trusts (ILETs)

Special Needs Trust (SPN)

Children’s trust

Grandchildren trust

Pet trust

Everything Included

Comprehensive estate planning includes a trust, a "pour-over" will, a durable power of attorney, an advanced health care directive, a certificate of trust, and trust transfer deeds for the home and other real estate owned. The real estate transfer deeds must be recorded with the County Recorder's Office and brokerage and bank accounts re-titled into the name of living, revocable trust. The power of attorney and advanced health care directive name and identify at least two trusted friends or relatives in the event of disability. Professional care providers such as nursing homes and health care providers and an attorney should be identified in the event of disability.

 Elder Law Compared to Estate Planning

Elder law is for protection of the person. Proactive elder law is planning in the event you become incapacitated with documents such as power of attorney and advanced health care directive. Corrective elder law involves assuming the responsibility for care of an elder and in extreme cases the use of the California Superior Court for protective orders and conservatorship.

"The top three reasons clients plan are:

1. to avoid probate, and

2. to minimize estate taxes, and

3. to prevent familial problems associated with not having an estate plan.

Other findings indicated that 74 percent of clients are aged 50 or older."

Trusts and Estates Feb 2, 2010 Press release

Mark W. Bidwell, Attorney at Law and CPA, Inactive. Office is located n the City of Irvine, County of Orange, California.

Telephone number:         949-474-0961

Email address: Attorney@BidwellLaw.com

Law firm of Mark W. Bidwell, A Law Corporation