Santa Monica Estate Planning Attorney

Help with Estate Planning Matters in California

In legal terms, an estate is the totality of your property. People often assumed that estates belong only to the wealthy, but this is false. Technically, anyone who owns any property has an estate. Similarly, estate planning is for everyone. No matter how large or small the value of your property is, you should plan for its future. With estate planning, both you and your family can have security for the future.

Mitchell A. Port is a skilled estate planning lawyer serving Santa Monica. With almost forty years of legal experience, he can help guide you through the intricate process of planning and protecting your estate.

Call (310) 526-3433 today for a free consultation with our Santa Monica estate planning lawyer.

Writing a Will in Santa Monica, CA 

In today’s world, many people have close relationships with friends and distant relatives. These bonds can be closer than the ones you have with immediate family. By creating a will, you can ensure that the appropriate people will receive the assets they deserve. You can leave any property to anyone, no matter how specific. There is no item too small or insignificant to put into a will.

Without a will, your assets are distributed by the laws of the state either where you lived or where the property was located. This is done through a process called intestate succession. Essentially, the state has a predetermined list of your closest relatives, and it gives your assets to them in a certain order. Generally, the first recipient is your spouse. If you have children together, under certain circumstances they share the property. Property goes to children outside of the marriage as well. In the absence of a spouse or children, assets go to parents, then siblings, and so on. Relying on the state to handle your estate could leave important people out. You can trust our Santa Monica estate planning attorney to draft a document that will give your property to the right people.

Probate in Santa Monica, CA

When someone has passed, there must be a person who handles the estate. This is the personal representative, or executor, of the will. Their job is to take care of any leftover bills or debts. After this, they distribute property in accordance with the will. It is a big job, and it is time-consuming. You can name an executor in your will, but there may not be a friend or family member who can devote themselves to the job.

When there is no direct executor, the matter goes into probate. In probate, the courts take care of handling the deceased’s wishes by appointing someone qualified to do the job. This is a complex and laborious process, and you need a trusted attorney to make sure it runs smoothly. Our Santa Monica probate attorney knows how to handle probate, and he can work with California’s legal system. He can help keep taxes and other fees low, and he can help oversee property distribution.

If you are an executor and need help, you can rely on Mitchell A. Port. As the executor, you are the ultimate authority on how the estate will be managed. However, you may need assistance with applying the law to your situation that comes with the job. Our Santa Monica estate planning attorney can help guide and prepare you for each new task, keeping you on track while still allowing you to make the final decisions on the estate.