Probate & Estate Information Center
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Frequently Asked Questions about Estate Planning
Q: What is a will?
A: A will is a written legal document with instructions for distributing an individual's assets after his or her death. A will must be formally executed as required by state law to be legally valid and enforceable.
Q: How can a person change his or her will?
A: A will is typically valid and effective until it is revoked, destroyed or invalidated by writing a new will. Alterations to an existing will, such as crossing out language or adding a new provision, do not usually meet the legal requirements for executing a valid will and do not affect the terms of an existing will; however, changes or additions to an existing will can be made by codicil. A codicil is a document executed in compliance with applicable state law that modifies an existing will or codicil.
We so often hear that hard work is the path to achieving the American dream. But retaining as much property as possible for our families can be a challenge. An estate planning attorney can work with you to assure that your hard work results in the accumulation of assets that are protected from liabilities. Additionally, proper asset protection planning can help you to ensure that gift and estate tax liabilities are minimized for your family after you have gone.
Learn More About the Law on Probate
The Internet has a great deal of information on probate and estate administration, but the best way to get real answers to your questions is to talk with an attorney. To schedule a free consultation with the lawyers at Robertson + Lum LLP, call us at 310-824-0467 or complete our online form.
Estate Planning - An Overview
Estate planning allows an individual to plan for his or her lifetime objectives and to provide direction about the disposition of his or her assets after death. Estate planning can include wills and trusts as well as powers of attorney and healthcare directives. Estate planning is impacted by state and federal law, and any individual may find that more elaborate or creative legal means are necessary for his or her situation. Some of these more complex techniques include trusts, family limited partnerships (FLPs) and limited liability companies (LLCs).
An estate planning lawyer from Robertson + Lum LLP in Los Angeles, California, can be an essential ally in assuring that your estate planning goals are understood and carried out. If you have estate planning-related legal questions, call ((firm name)) today to schedule a consultation.
Asset Protection and Estate Planning
An important goal of estate planning is to protect income and assets from creditors’ claims and tax collection. While many people think asset protection involves shady or dishonest techniques, there are many ways to protect financial reserves, personal property, real estate, and other assets for retirement or for future generations. In addition to federal and state laws that exempt certain types of property from creditors’ claims, taxation, or both, there are numerous estate planning tools that may be able to shield assets from future creditors and reduce or eliminate estate or income taxation.
Estate Planning Needs of the Elderly
Elder law deals with the legal, financial, and health needs of senior citizens. The country’s average age is advancing all the time, and now even baby-boomers are dealing with health issues and legal concerns they had not anticipated. In addition to estate planning, elder law attorneys also help with preparing for long-term healthcare needs, applying for government programs, addressing financial fraud, combating physical abuse, and establishing guardianships and conservatorships.
Wills and Trusts
A will is a document that tells a person’s family or heirs and the courts how to distribute his or her money and property. A will is a basic estate planning tool, and a current and valid will is the best way to make sure your property is distributed according to your wishes and your family is taken care of after you’re gone. Many people also use trusts in conjunction with their will, as an independent estate planning tool or both.
Powers of Attorney
A power of attorney is a legal document in which a person (the principal) designates and authorizes another person (the agent or attorney-in-fact) to transact business or make certain decisions on his or her behalf. When a power of attorney is in effect, the agent essentially steps into the shoes of the principal and makes decisions that are legally binding on the principal. Powers of attorney can grant broad, general authority (known as a general power of attorney) or they can limit the attorney-in-fact's power to act on behalf of the principal to particular situations (known as a special power of attorney). Because there are many different types of powers of attorney available to address a variety of situations, powers of attorney are extremely useful estate planning tools.
Estate Planning Resource Links
How Much Estate Tax Will You Pay?
This estate tax calculator adds up many different types of assets to get an estimated estate tax figure for your current estate.
Federal Estate Tax Laws
The Federal Estate Tax laws start at Section 2001 of the Internal Revenue Code.
Federal Gift Tax Laws
The Federal Gift Tax laws start at Section 2501 of the Internal Revenue Code. The estate and gift tax laws should be looked at together because there are many overlapping provisions; state laws should also be considered.
Social Security Administration Retirement Planner
The federal Social Security Administration provides retirement planning and disability benefit information from this website.
Administration on Aging
List of resources to connect older persons, caregivers and professionals to important federal, national and local programs.
