There are a number of legal documents that are associated with estate planning, from Wills to Trusts to Health Care documents. Many you may have heard of, and may or may not understand, and many you will likely be unaware of, though it can be detrimental to create a plan without them.
In general, estate planning refers to creating various documents that provide instructions or guidance as to your wishes and your assets upon your passing. The goal of these documents may be to leave instructions as to who will receive your assets and when, who will make important health care decisions on your behalf, or may be to minimize taxes or avoid probate and the fees associated with it.
At Leslie Legal Group, we can advise you on every aspect of estate planning, from preparing living trust, wills, health care directives, powers of attorney and guardianship nominations to providing estate and gift tax advise.
Below is a list of the basic documents that a comprehensive estate plan in California should consist of:
- Revocable Living Trust
- Pour Over Will
- Power of Attorney
- Advance Health Care Directive
- HIPAA Authorization Forms
- Certification of Trust
- Assignment of Personal Property
- Trust Transfer Deed
- Personal Property Memorandum
- Community Property Agreement
- Declaration of Guardianship Nominations
While these are the basic documents that every estate plan should include, these documents should be tailored specifically to your situation and your needs. This may require additional documents or replacing certain ones with others. A review of your estate can determine a comprehensive plan personalized to you and your family.
