Law Offices of Alice A. Salvo Logo

Wills Attorney in California

A family smiling with flowers.

Experienced Will Lawyer in Los Angeles, California

What Is a Will?

A will is a type of legal document that specifies what should happen to your assets when you die. “Assets” include:

  • Physical property, e.g., real estate, jewelry
  • Intangible property, e.g., bank accounts, stocks

If you don’t have a will, you will die “intestate.” The courts will have no choice but to distribute your property according to intestate succession law. This may not reflect your true wishes. There’s also a risk of arguments between family members who want their wishes to be respected.

Hiring a will lawyer in Los Angeles helps to ensure that your last wishes are honored.

Wills vs. Trusts

Wills are often confused with trusts, but they’re not the same. A will is a legal document, whereas a trust is a legal relationship between individuals. You may opt to have both a will and a trust as part of your wide estate plan. between individuals. You may opt to have both a will and a trust as part of your wide estate plan.

Our estate planning lawyers can help you with the following:

  • Determine your estate planning goals.
  • Write a legally binding, valid will.
  • Create and manage an effective trust.

Not sure what you require? That’s where we can help. Contact our will attorneys in California to discuss your estate planning needs.

MORE INFORMATION >

A Will Must Be Legally Binding

For a will to hold any value at all, it must be legally binding. But when you go the DIY route, who knows if what you’re doing has any legal standing at all. Worse yet, if you opt for a template that is valid in another state or that may be out of date, you could inadvertently be heading towards an eventual dispute despite your best intentions. Hiring a Los Angeles will attorney or lawyer enables you to get in front of any potential problems before they become serious issues.

A Will Allows You To Navigate Complicated Family Dynamics

While you likely wouldn’t want the details of your will made public prior to your passing, creating a valid will allows you to navigate complicated family dynamics without it all being so above-board. Whether you have a previous marriage or children with someone other than your partner, a will allows you to account for everyone important in your life, whether they are involved on a day-to-day basis or not. If your circumstances change, hiring a Los Angeles attorney for a will also allows you to update important pieces of your will without redoing the whole thing.

A Will Can Reduce the Tax Burden All Around

If your estate includes a hefty retirement fund, investments, real estate and more, you may actually be doing a disservice to your loved ones by gifting all your assets away in one fell swoop. A Los Angeles will lawyer can advise you of the tax implications imposed on your beneficiaries, helping you to design a strategy that can reduce the tax burden of your assets for everyone involved.

A Will Can Protect You

As long as you are still alive, a will can actually protect your interests. For health issues, you can define a healthcare power of attorney to make important medical decisions on your behalf in case you’re unable to do so. On the financial side of things, a financial power of attorney can help you manage your money if you are unable to do so yourself. Whatever you need, hiring a Los Angeles attorney for a will means you’ll be prepared in the event of any health or financial issue, as well as all the other benefits outlined above.

Experienced California Will Attorneys and Lawyers You Can Trust

At the Law Offices of Alice A. Salvo, we provide cost-effective estate planning strategies that can help save your heirs money and taxes. With more than 25 years of experience, we are dedicated to helping people protect what is most important to them. We can help you determine the best way to distribute your estate among your heirs and help minimize potential future complications such as will disputes concerning your inheritance.

Ready To Help

If you want to know more about how our estate planning law firm can benefit you, speak with us. Use our online contact form or call 818-676-9572 to schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your options.

A big family posing with a picture drawn by a kid

How a Will Can Help Avoid Family Avoid Disputes

There are many downsides to not having a will. The main drawback is, of course, that you don’t have any control over what happens to your property upon your death. Without a will to guide the process, your loved ones may suffer undue stress and anxiety. They may be confused about how to proceed, and they could argue over who deserves what from your estate.

As California will lawyers, we know how time-consuming and difficult these disputes can be. Our goal is to give you peace of mind, knowing that your wishes are clear. You can look forward to the future, knowing that when you die, your loved ones know what matters to you.

Do I Need a Will Attorney?

No. However, if you don’t know the law, your homemade or “DIY” will may have glaring issues. It could be declared invalid, or it could cause more problems than it solves. Clauses could be unclear and subject to interpretation.

And if you have multiple versions of your will, it’s hard to tell which one is the most recent.

Don’t leave your last will and testament to chance. Hire a will attorney in Los Angeles to help you draft an effective will.

What You Can Expect From Our Los Angeles, CA Will Lawyers

When you retain the services of a Los Angeles will attorney, here is what you can expect.

  • Advice tailored to your specific needs and estate planning goals.
  • An explanation of the law, your legal rights, and how to protect those rights.
  • Guidance on the consequences of your will and how to avoid disputes.
  • Support and guidance on any legal issue relating to your will or estate plan.

Contact Our California Will Lawyers

At the Law Offices of Alice A. Salvo, our experienced estate planning attorneys are waiting to help. We can assist with all matters of estate planning, from creating a living trust to writing a will. Whether you need to update an existing will or you’re starting from scratch, contact us to arrange a meeting.

MORE INFORMATION >

A Will Must Be Legally Binding

For a will to hold any value at all, it must be legally binding. But when you go the DIY route, who knows if what you’re doing has any legal standing at all. Worse yet, if you opt for a template that is valid in another state or that may be out of date, you could inadvertently be heading towards an eventual dispute despite your best intentions. Hiring a Los Angeles will attorney or lawyer enables you to get in front of any potential problems before they become serious issues.

A Will Allows You To Navigate Complicated Family Dynamics

While you likely wouldn’t want the details of your will made public prior to your passing, creating a valid will allows you to navigate complicated family dynamics without it all being so above-board. Whether you have a previous marriage or children with someone other than your partner, a will allows you to account for everyone important in your life, whether they are involved on a day-to-day basis or not. If your circumstances change, hiring a Los Angeles attorney for a will also allows you to update important pieces of your will without redoing the whole thing.

A Will Can Reduce the Tax Burden All Around

If your estate includes a hefty retirement fund, investments, real estate and more, you may actually be doing a disservice to your loved ones by gifting all your assets away in one fell swoop. A Los Angeles will lawyer can advise you of the tax implications imposed on your beneficiaries, helping you to design a strategy that can reduce the tax burden of your assets for everyone involved.

A Will Can Protect You

As long as you are still alive, a will can actually protect your interests. For health issues, you can define a healthcare power of attorney to make important medical decisions on your behalf in case you’re unable to do so. On the financial side of things, a financial power of attorney can help you manage your money if you are unable to do so yourself. Whatever you need, hiring a Los Angeles attorney for a will means you’ll be prepared in the event of any health or financial issue, as well as all the other benefits outlined above.

Experienced California Will Attorneys and Lawyers You Can Trust

At the Law Offices of Alice A. Salvo, we provide cost-effective estate planning strategies that can help save your heirs money and taxes. With more than 25 years of experience, we are dedicated to helping people protect what is most important to them. We can help you determine the best way to distribute your estate among your heirs and help minimize potential future complications such as will disputes concerning your inheritance.

Ready To Help

If you want to know more about how our estate planning law firm can benefit you, speak with us. Use our online contact form or call 818-676-9572 to schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your options.