Estate Planning

Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late!

If you want to ensure your assets are protected and your loved ones are cared for, even after you’re gone, The Law Office of Michael W. Brown, LLP is here to guide you. Estate planning can be complex, but with the support of an experienced attorney, you can navigate the process with clarity and confidence.

Contact us today to begin securing your legacy and protecting those who matter most.

Call our office: (909) 860-1986

What Goes into Estate Planning?

Michael W. Brown, LLP offers the following estate planning documents in our living trust package:

  • Revocable Living Trust

  • Property Agreement (if married)

  • General Assignment of Assets

  • Pour-Over Will (includes guardianship for minor children)

  • Power of Attorney

  • Advanced Health Care Directive

  • Trust Transfer Deed to Property

  • Certification of Trust

  • Assignment of Business Interest (if needed)

Living Trust

A Living Trust serves two important purposes:

  • First, it allows you to transfer your assets to your beneficiaries while avoiding the time, expense, and inconvenience of probate.
  • Second, it ensures that someone you trust can manage your estate if you become unable to do so yourself.

We offer both single trusts for yourself or joint living trusts with your partner. As part of our comprehensive estate planning packages, we also include a Certification of Trust and General Assignment of Assets.

These documents are created as a revocable living trust, giving you the flexibility to make changes at any time during your lifetime. If your situation requires it, we are also experienced in incorporating Special Needs Trust into estate plans to provide for loved ones with unique care needs.

Pour-Over Will

A Pour-Over Will also known as a Last Will and Testament is an important part of a comprehensive estate plan designed to work hand-in-hand with your living trust. Its primary purpose is to ensure that any assets not already titled in the name of your trust at the time of your passing are automatically “poured over” into the trust. This guarantees that all of your property is distributed according to the terms you’ve established in your trust, providing consistency and peace of mind.

Even with a well-funded trust, it’s common for certain assets such as newly acquired property or personal items to remain outside of it. A pour-over will acts as a safety net, capturing those remaining assets and directing them into your trust.

While assets transferred through a pour-over will may still go through probate, this document ensures that nothing is left out of your estate plan and that all of your property ultimately passes to your chosen beneficiaries under one unified set of instructions.

Power of Attorney

A Power of Attorney is an essential yet often overlooked component of estate planning. We prepare springing or straight powers ofa ttorney depending on your situation. This document allows you to designate a trusted individual known as your agent to manage your financial or legal affairs that are in your individual name if you become unable to do so yourself. Having a valid power of attorney in place can help your loved ones avoid unnecessary financial hardship or legal complications during a difficult time.

Advanced Health Care Directive

An Advanced Health Care Directive, sometimes referred to as a medical directive or healthcare directive is a vital part of any estate plan. This legal document outlines your wishes regarding medical treatment if you become incapacitated due to an accident or serious illness.

In addition to appointing a trusted representative to make healthcare decisions on your behalf, a healthcare directive clearly states your preferences for end-of-life care and other major medical choices. By documenting these decisions in advance, you relieve your loved ones of the emotional burden of making difficult choices during already stressful times.

Trust Transfer Deed

A Trust Transfer Deed is a legal document used to transfer ownership of real property from an individual to a trust, ensuring the property becomes part of the trust’s assets. By changing the title from the owner’s name to the name of the trust (through its trustee), the deed allows the property to be managed and distributed according to the trust’s terms.

Recording this deed with the county is essential for it to take legal effect. This transfer is an important part of estate planning because it allows the property to avoid probate, provides continuity in case of incapacity, protects privacy, and simplifies the administration of one’s estate.

Without recording a trust transfer deed, the property may remain outside the trust and be subject to probate, defeating one of the key benefits of creating the trust in the first place.

DISCLAIMER:

The information on this website is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Viewing this site does not create an attorney–client relationship. Laws vary and depend on specific circumstances, so you should consult a qualified attorney for advice regarding your individual situation.