Long Beach Estate Planning Lawyer

No one wants to think about what the end of their life might look like. However, planning for the future is always a good decision, no matter your age, health, or wealth. Many individuals may be under the assumption that creating an estate plan does not apply to them as they do not have vast accumulations of assets or financial securities. The opposite is actually true, and a Long Beach estate planning lawyer can help you build an estate plan that will last for generations.

Whether you own a large amount of assets and properties or not, an estate plan can protect you, your loved ones, and your assets for generations to come, even if you are no longer with us to dictate your wishes. At Meinzer Law Firm, PC, we provide our clients with robust estate planning services tailored to their unique situation. We are here to offer you practical and cost-effective solutions to ensure your legacy is protected for years to come.

What Is Estate Planning in California?

When you create an estate plan in California, this legal entity allows you to take several actions to safeguard yourself, your property, and your family members. An estate plan can allow you to transfer property to heirs, transfer assets to charities of your choosing, transfer property to other beneficiaries after your death, ensure proper management of your property after you pass, and allow for managing your health should you become incapacitated.

A comprehensive estate plan will be made up of several different legal tools and documents. These can include the following:

• Wills: A will is a legal document that allows you to dictate your wishes for how your assets will be distributed to beneficiaries after your death, what trusted individual will be in charge of settling your estate through probate, also known as your estate’s executor, and can allow you to appoint trusted individuals to act as guardians for any dependents, such as minor children or mentally handicapped children, in the event of your untimely death.
• Trusts: A trust is a legal tool created to house certain assets or property holdings that will benefit another individual or entity, such as your children or a charitable organization. When creating a trust, you establish the terms of this entity, including who will be in charge of managing the affairs of the trust, also known as the trustee. You can also outline how the assets in the trust will be distributed and to what parties.
• Powers of Attorney: Creating a power of attorney document allows you to authorize a trusted individual to act in your stead to manage your assets and financial affairs and make other transactions, such as paying bills, should you become incapacitated and unable to take these actions yourself. There are several different powers of attorney available to you, and a lawyer from Meinzer Law Firm, PC, can help you determine which POA is right for you.
• Advance Healthcare Directives: In the event of a sudden injury or illness, your loved ones may not know what to do in terms of your care, which can cause an already stressful situation to increase exponentially. Having an advance healthcare directive can provide your loved ones comfort and instruction on what to do should you become incapacitated and unable to voice your desires regarding your healthcare.

A comprehensive estate plan can also help you fulfill certain goals. These goals can include the following:

• Ensuring children are provided for following your death
• Working to protect your assets from tax liabilities and creditors
• Helping increase the amount of assets that can be saved from estate taxes
• Providing for family members with special needs

Whatever your life situation, the team at Meinzer Law Firm, PC is here to ensure you and your loved ones are taken care of.  Our team also ensures that when you are no longer with us, your assets and legacy are secure, and your family members are provided for, for generations to come.

Meinzer Law Firm, PC: Protecting Your Legacy for Generations to Come

From the moment you walk through our office doors, the compassionate attorney at Meinzer Law Firm, PC, is here to assist you. Our knowledgeable legal team understands that creating an estate plan can feel like a daunting task, and there are many legalities involved that can, at first glance, appear overwhelming. Allow us to come alongside you and your loved one and offer you the confidence that comes with knowing we can do everything in our power to ensure your estate plan perfectly reflects your wishes.

Whether you are just starting out on your estate planning journey or are hoping to modify an already existing estate plan, we are here to help. We can assist in the drafting of official estate plan documents, including wills and trusts, and can ensure that they will be both valid and legal should a dispute arise following your death. No matter your health, wealth, or age, we can review your situation and come up with an estate plan that will correctly fit your life and future goals.

Benefits of a Long Beach, CA Estate Plan

Wherever you are in life, from just starting out in creating an asset profile to an individual who holds vast amounts of generational wealth, having a comprehensive estate plan in place can be extremely beneficial. There are several key benefits to having a Long Beach estate plan established, including the following:

• Allowing your loved ones to avoid the time, costs, and possible disputes involved in the probate process following your death
• Maximizing tax shelter from federal estate tax liabilities and making it possible to leave your estate tax-free to your heirs
• In the event you become incapacitated and unable to voice your own decisions or wishes, certain estate planning documents can allow your loved ones to know and abide by your wishes in regard to your business, financial, personal, and medical affairs
• Providing a way for your younger loved ones to receive property distributions over time rather than in one large sum, which could be tempting to use in foolish ways for individuals who are perhaps immature and not prepared to handle the responsibility of a large amount of finances

Speak with a Trusted Estate Planning Lawyer Today

If you are curious about estate planning or are in need of making legal changes to a plan which already exists, Meinzer Law Firm, PC is here to help. Contact our office today and schedule a consultation to learn more information on how we might be of service to you and your loved ones.