Business Details
22 Years
experience
Your Trusted Estate Planning Attorney in California
At our office, we provide clients with personalized estate planning and asset protection services. With over two decades of experience since 2004, our practice focuses on safeguarding families and assets through tailored legal solutions. Our expertise includes wills, trusts, advance health care directives, and probate guidance, ensuring clients navigate complex legal landscapes with confidence. We prioritize client education, offering clear explanations of estate planning tools like revocable living trusts and durable powers of attorney.Our mission centers on delivering compassionate, thorough legal counsel to individuals and families across California. By maintaining a client-first approach, we help clients achieve peace of mind through comprehensive estate plans that address both immediate needs and long-term security.
Services
Estate Planning
Wills & Trusts
Trust Administration
Life Insurance
Corporate Formation
Details
- Year established: 2004
Highlights and features
- We offer over 25 years of experience in estate planning across California.
- Our personalized approach ensures tailored solutions for unique family needs.
- We provide house calls by appointment for client convenience.
- Our team includes a licensed attorney with specialized expertise in trusts and probate.
- We deliver thorough, compassionate guidance through complex legal processes.
What people say
Highest marks for thoroughness
Personalized estate planning
House calls by appointment
Compassionate and professional
Efficient trust administration
Services
Estate Planning
Our estate planning services create comprehensive strategies to protect assets and ensure client wishes are honored. We specialize in customized wills, trusts, and advance directives that address tax implications, probate avoidance, and family needs. Clients receive detailed guidance to secure their financial legacy while minimizing legal complexities for heirs.
Wills & Trusts
We draft legally sound wills and revocable living trusts tailored to individual circumstances. These documents establish guardianship for minors, distribute assets, and provide clear instructions for healthcare decisions. Our approach ensures clients maintain control over their estates while simplifying posthumous administrative processes for beneficiaries.
Trust Administration
Our trust administration services guide executors through post-death trust management. We provide step-by-step support for asset distribution, tax compliance, and legal documentation. This includes preparing necessary filings, coordinating with financial institutions, and ensuring adherence to state-specific probate alternatives for efficient estate transitions.
Life Insurance
We integrate life insurance solutions into estate plans to provide financial security for dependents. Our services include policy selection guidance, beneficiary designation strategies, and irrevocable life insurance trust creation. This ensures death benefits are distributed efficiently while addressing potential estate tax implications.
Corporate Formation
We assist clients in establishing legal business entities through corporate formation services. This includes preparing articles of incorporation, bylaws, and compliance documentation. Our approach helps entrepreneurs protect personal assets while creating clear operational frameworks for LLCs and corporations.
People
Kris M. Paden
Attorney
Kris Paden has practiced estate planning since 2004, specializing in trusts, wills, and asset protection. She previously worked in civil litigation and insurance law, bringing comprehensive legal expertise to personalized client solutions. Her practice emphasizes compassionate, thorough guidance for families across California.
Questions
What documents are included in a basic estate plan?
A basic estate plan typically includes a will, revocable living trust, durable power of attorney, and advance health care directive to address asset distribution and healthcare decisions.
How does a living trust avoid probate?
A revocable living trust allows assets to transfer directly to beneficiaries without court involvement, saving time, costs, and maintaining privacy compared to probate proceedings.
Why is guardianship designation important for parents?
Parents with minor children must name guardians in wills to ensure their choice of caregiver, avoiding court-appointed guardianship if both parents pass away unexpectedly.
What are the costs of probate in California?
Probate costs range from $14,000 for $200,000 estates to $66,000 for $2,000,000 estates, including attorney and administrative fees, while proper planning avoids these expenses.
How does trust administration work after death?
Trust administration involves transferring assets to beneficiaries according to trust terms, handling tax filings, and providing necessary documentation without court supervision, ensuring efficient estate distribution.
