How to Choose an Estate Planning Attorney in Arcadia

A good estate planning attorney asks about your family, your property and your goals before recommending documents, explains the difference between a will and a living trust in California, and gives you a clear fee. Here is what to look for if you live in Arcadia, San Marino, Temple City or nearby.

Know which documents you may need

• Will: names who receives your property and who cares for minor children. Property passing under a will usually goes through probate.
• Revocable living trust: holds property during your life and passes it to beneficiaries without probate when it is properly funded.
• Durable power of attorney: lets someone you choose handle finances if you cannot.
• Advance health care directive: names who makes medical decisions for you and records your wishes.

Many Arcadia and San Marino homeowners choose a living trust because California probate can take many months and statutory fees are based on the value of the estate. Read more on estate planning in Arcadia.

Questions to ask before you hire

1. Do you recommend a will, a trust, or both for my situation, and why?
2. Is the fee flat, and what does it include?
3. Will you help transfer my house and accounts into the trust?
4. How often should I update the plan?
5. Who will I work with, and how do I reach them?

Check the license

Confirm any attorney’s license on the State Bar of California website before you hire. Our attorney, Neil R. Hedtke, is license number 273319.

When to update your plan

Review your documents after a marriage, divorce, birth, death in the family, a move, or buying or selling a home. A trust that is never funded, meaning the house and accounts are never put into it, may still leave your family facing probate.

Planning and probate in one office

Hedtke Law Group handles both estate planning and probate, so the same office can help you plan ahead and help your family later. If you are settling a loved one’s estate now, see our probate attorney in Arcadia page.

Talk to an attorney in Arcadia. Free consultation at 255 E Santa Clara St, Suite 210, Arcadia, CA 91006. Call (626) 593-1558 or use the form below.

This article is general information, not legal advice for your situation.