Business Details
Estate Planning & Administration Services
The Law Office of Dorothy G. Thompson has provided specialized legal services in estate planning and administration for over two decades. Our practice focuses on guiding individuals through complex probate processes, trust administration, and asset protection strategies while prioritizing personalized client care. With a unique combination of legal expertise and financial acumen, we help clients create tailored estate plans that reflect their specific needs and circumstances. Our team maintains active memberships in multiple legal associations, including the California Lawyers Association and local bar organizations, while staying current with evolving estate laws.We approach each case with compassion and professionalism, whether assisting with business entity formation or navigating conservatorship proceedings. Our commitment to excellence extends to providing simplified trust accounting solutions and advising on post-divorce estate planning considerations.
Services
Probate
Trust Administration
Estate Planning
Trust Accounting
Conservatorship
Business Entity Formation
Document Review
Highlights and features
- We offer over 20 years of combined legal and financial expertise in estate planning
- Our attorneys maintain active memberships in multiple California legal associations
- We provide simplified trust accounting solutions compliant with California law
- Our practice combines estate planning with business entity formation expertise
- We offer personalized guidance for post-divorce estate planning considerations
Services
Probate
We guide clients through court-supervised estate administration when a loved one passes without a trust or with incomplete estate planning documents. Our services help executors navigate probate requirements while minimizing family conflict. We also assist with informal estate administration when judicial supervision isn't required.
Trust Administration
Our team provides comprehensive trust administration support for revocable and irrevocable trusts. We help trustees understand their responsibilities during the grantor's lifetime and after their passing. Services include asset inventory, beneficiary communication, and tax compliance for both living and testamentary trusts.
Estate Planning
We create customized estate plans that address both lifetime asset management and posthumous distribution. Our services include wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives tailored to individual circumstances. We regularly review existing plans to ensure they reflect current laws and client needs.
Trust Accounting
We prepare simplified trust accountings that meet California legal requirements while remaining accessible to beneficiaries. Our services help trustees fulfill their fiduciary duties through clear financial documentation that avoids unnecessary court involvement when possible.
Conservatorship
We assist families in establishing conservatorships for incapacitated loved ones while exploring less restrictive alternatives. Our services include court documentation preparation, process guidance, and ongoing compliance support for both personal and financial conservatorship matters.
People
Dorothy G. Thompson
Attorney
Juris Doctorate holder with Master of Legal Studies in Probate Law. Over 20 years of business management experience. Member of multiple California legal associations. Specializes in estate planning and administration.
Kaylah Hampson
Legal Assistant
Bachelor of Science in Criminology with Georgia Paralegal Certification. Handles client communication and office management. Provides administrative support for estate planning and probate cases.
Maria Reis
Paralegal
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from UC Santa Cruz. Multilingual legal professional. Currently attending law school while providing remote paralegal support for trust and estate matters.
Questions
What estate planning documents do I need?
Basic estate plans typically include wills, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. More complex situations may require trusts and business entity planning. We recommend personalized consultations to determine your specific needs.
How does probate work in California?
California probate involves court-supervised estate administration when someone dies without proper estate planning. We help executors navigate this process while minimizing delays and family conflicts through proper documentation and court filings.
Can I update my existing estate plan?
Yes, we recommend reviewing estate plans every 3-5 years or after major life events. We offer document review services to ensure your plan reflects current laws and personal circumstances through appropriate amendments.
What happens if someone dies without a will?
California's intestacy laws will determine asset distribution. We help families navigate this process through probate proceedings while ensuring proper documentation and compliance with state requirements for estate administration.
How do I establish a conservatorship?
Conservatorship requires court documentation demonstrating incapacity. We guide families through this process while exploring alternatives like durable powers of attorney to minimize court involvement when possible.
What business entity options exist in California?
We assist with LLCs, corporations, and nonprofit formations. Our services include evaluating tax advantages, liability protection, and compliance requirements to help clients choose the most appropriate structure for their business needs.
