Estate Planning FAQ

Most families pay from $2,495 for the full package (trust, pour-over will, POAs, healthcare directive, HIPAA releases). Businesses, multiple parcels, or custom clauses can add cost—priced before work starts.

Plan on 9–18+ months in court. Statutory fee floors (paid to attorney and executor) include $5,980 on a $208,850 estate, $13,000 at $500k, and $23,000 at $1M. A funded trust skips that public process for many assets.

A will still goes through probate if your gross estate exceeds $208,850, or your primary residence exceeds $750,000. A funded living trust keeps most assets out of that public docket, controls incapacity roles, and usually saves fees versus statutory probate.

Revocable trusts flex with life—you can amend or revoke while competent. Irrevocable trusts trade flexibility for asset protection or tax goals. Michael recommends a structure after reviewing your balance sheet and goals in consult.

Review documents every 3–5 years—or sooner after marriage, divorce, births, deaths, big purchases, moves, or trustee changes. Michael helps refresh language when California law shifts.

No POAs usually means a conservatorship action—slow, public, and the judge may pick someone you would not. Signed POAs let the agents you name act right away.

DIY kits are cheap but often California-blind. Small mistakes can trigger probate fights or unintended heirs—usually pricier to unwind than doing it right once with counsel.

Deeds retitle homes into the trust; banks and brokers need new account cards. Unfunded assets miss the point—Michael provides checklists and preps deeds so nothing sits outside the trust by accident.

Common in blended homes. Michael helps you compare options—co-trustees, split trusts, and staged payouts—until both spouses sign something they understand and support.

Many California probate proceedings require counsel. An attorney handles filings, creditors, inventories, and deadlines so executors avoid personal liability and beneficiary disputes.