El Monte Probate Attorney

Experienced Representation for Probate Administration, Estate Planning, & Tax Disputes

Attorney Mitchell A. Port has a unique combination of experience and education that sets him apart from other probate and tax attorneys. His knowledge of probate and estate planning is augmented by his former career as an IRS attorney in the Office of Chief Counsel and a revenue and collection officer. 

Mitch Port’s four decades of experience enables him to guide a wide range of clients, from blue-collar workers to entertainment industry professionals and retirees. 

He’s practiced law in California since 1982. He earned an LL.M in tax law from the University of San Diego School of Law and his Juris Doctor from Southwestern University School of Law. His undergraduate degree is a B.A. in Political Science from the University of California at Los Angeles. 

Probate Services in El Monte, CA

Probate is a court process that distributes the deceased’s assets and pays bills still owed at the time of their death. Probate validates a will or determines that they died without one. When the deceased has no will, the court uses California’s intestate succession laws to determine how any remaining assets are distributed. Probate generally only comes into play if the deceased has assets (including stocks, bonds, etc.) valued at more than $166,250.  

Our El Monte probate attorney can help with the following:

• Eliminating creditor’s claims against the decedent’s property
• Locating probate and non-probate assets
• Ensuring property passes to the rightful heirs after all debts have been paid
• Preparing and filing all required documentation with the courts
• Assisting with the sale of property

Disputes over a will and the distribution of assets add further complications to the process. Since probate is a public process, supposed heirs sometimes surface to lay claims on the estate. Sometimes family members squabble over assets. We will defend your interests and your loved one’s legacy through probate litigation.                                          

Estate Planning in El Monte, CA

Estate planning prepares for future potentialities and inevitabilities. Mitch Port uses various tools that protect you if you become incapacitated or need long-term care. Through client-specific strategies, he can also streamline the probate process for your heirs.

Estate planning tools include the following:

• Will: Your will outlines how you want your estate distributed after your death. Having a will can help avoid disputes among your heirs. This legal document also can assign guardianship of minor children and someone to manage their inheritance. 
• Trusts: Our El Monte attorney can create and administer trusts. Trusts are used to manage assets during your lifetime and distribute them upon death. Real estate, bank accounts, vehicles, investments, and more can be transferred to a trust. Revocable trusts can be revoked or changed during your lifetime. An irrevocable trust cannot be changed once it’s established. Both trusts serve specific purposes. A special needs trust helps a disabled person obtain state and federal benefits while maintaining access to the assets. 
• Power of Attorney: Naming a power of attorney in advance of any situation puts you in control of who makes decisions for you. Otherwise, the courts can name someone as conservator over you.  
• Advance Health Care Directive: You can name a person to make health-care decisions for you when you are no longer able to do so for yourself. The directive can include how you want certain health situations handled, including what life-extending measures you want to be taken.