Estate Planning / Probate

Talk To An Experienced Estate Planning And Probate Attorney About The Best Way To Protect Your Family

Estate planning and probate law encompasses a large number of issues related to end of life decisions and the transfer of assets. The estate planning and probate attorneys at Collins, Ritchie & Ervin are experienced in all of these areas from drafting wills and trusts, to administering probate estates, to planning for the care of a disabled loved one, to litigating a dispute over administration of an estate. Whether you are facing one of these issues, or simply considering creating or updating your own estate plan, the attorneys at Collins, Ritchie & Ervin are here to help. Contact us today to disuses your needs.

We Can Assist You With

• Estate Planning
  A comprehensive estate plan should account for much more than who receives your assets when you die. It needs to account for the power to make healthcare decisions, provide for care at the end of your life, and make provisions for any of your family members with special needs. At Collins, Ritchie & Ervin, we take the time to assess your needs and craft an estate plan that is tailored to your unique situation.
  Estate plans for our clients typically include: a living trust, will, durable power of attorney, advanced healthcare directive, HIPPA waiver, trust grant deeds and other necessary documents.
• Probate Of Estate
  If you recently lost a loved one, you probably have many questions regarding how to administer their estate, pay their creditors and distribute their assets. Our probate attorneys can review your unique situation and develop a plan to efficiently administer the estate. If the administration requires opening a probate estate, or filing any petitions in probate court, we are thoroughly prepared to guide you through that process.
• Trust Administration
  Many people establish trusts to distribute their assets after their death. While a trust can simplify the process of distributing assets, the formalities of trust administration must still be followed. If you are named as the successor trustee, it is imperative that you meet all of your obligations during post-death administration. Our trust attorneys can guide you through this sometimes daunting process.
• Trust And Administration Disputes
  Unfortunately, not all trustees and executors abide by the law or follow the instructions of the deceased person. If you are a beneficiary of a trust or an heir to an estate, you have the right to be informed about the status of the administration and to hold the trustee or executor accountable for their actions. Our trusts and estates attorneys have the knowledge and experience to intervene on your behalf and make certain that your interests are protected.
• Undue Influence Claims
  Do you suspect someone exerted undue influence over an elderly or vulnerable loved one in order to convince them to make changes to their estate plan? California law provides remedies for this egregious behavior. Contact us to discuss your concerns with one of our experienced attorneys.
• Conservatorships And Guardianships
  If your parent or loved one is struggling to care for themselves or make decisions in their best interest, a conservatorship may grant you the legal authority to provide them with the care they deserve. Similarly, if a child in your life is not being properly cared for, or is living in an unsafe environment, a guardianship may help you protect them. Guardianships and conservatorships are complicated legal proceedings. Our attorneys can help you through all stages of the process.
• Medicaid / MediCal Planning
  The Medicaid and MediCal programs provide vital medical care to many vulnerable Californians. However, they are complicated programs that often times require the recipient to surrender their assets after their death. Our Medicaid and MediCal planning attorneys can help you understand the options for protecting your assets.