Santa Cruz Trusts and Estates Law Firm Delivers Practical Advice

Our attorneys work to safeguard and transfer property effectively

A well-designed program to preserve and transfer your wealth can have many different facets. The Santa Cruz, California trusts and estates attorneys at Penrose Chun & Gorman LLP deliver knowledgeable guidance on various tools that you can use to achieve your objectives. Drawing on more than 100 years of combined legal experience, our firm carefully drafts documents that provide peace of mind to our clients and the people they care about most.

Lawyers outline advantages of creating trusts and estate documents

The legal requirements associated with creating a will are relatively simple, but without a qualified trusts and estates lawyer to assist you, significant problems can arise. As experienced Santa Cruz estate planning lawyers, we understand how to develop wills, trusts, financial power of attorney documents, guardianship instructions and advance health care directives that serve your needs. No matter what your overall objectives might be, our lawyers make sure that the elements of your estate plan complement each other and set forth clear instructions.

Legal counselors establishing trusts to protect clients’ assets

There are numerous reasons why an individual or family might want to shift assets into a trust. Some of the most popular options include:

• Living trusts — By shifting your assets into a revocable living trust, you can access them for the remainder of your life, then transfer them directly to beneficiaries upon your death. They would not have to wait for the probate process to take place and you can change your plans at any point.

• Special needs trusts — Parents with a disabled child might opt to put funds into a trust that can be utilized after they are gone to pay their child’s expenses while maintaining their MediCal eligibility.
• Irrevocable trusts — You might be able to reap tax benefits by shifting assets into an irrevocable trust. These arrangements cannot be undone, so we take great care when explaining the consequences of creating one.

Along with trusts and wills, we also advise on other types of wealth planning strategies, such as the use of gifts, ownership transfers, and life insurance trusts to protect clients’ assets.

Dedicated attorneys handle the administration of California trusts and estates

When a legal will or trust is created, someone is designated to see that the instructions written in the relevant document are honored. In a will, this person is usually referred to as the executor. Once the will is filed, the court typically gives the executor legal authority to act on the estate’s behalf. Our firm provides comprehensive counsel to estate representatives as they collect assets, create an inventory, manage expenses and distribute the decedent’s property to the intended heirs. We also assist with the administration of trusts by advising trustees on the interpretation of language in the document and the proper discharge of their duties.

Skillful litigators deliver strong advocacy during disputes over wills and trusts

Actual or purported beneficiaries occasionally dispute the validity or enforcement of an estate planning instrument. If you are responsible for a will or trust and a conflict arises, it is wise to get prompt assistance from a qualified attorney. Our probate and trust litigators take effective action to resolve disputes successfully while conserving assets.

Contact California trusts and estates lawyers to discuss your situation and goals

Penrose Chun & Gorman LLP in Santa Cruz, California assists clients with a full range of matters relating to trusts and estates. Please call 831-515-3344 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.