We know how overwhelming it is to prepare for and navigate difficult life events. Worse, you are not always sure what you need and who to trust to help you make the right decisions for your family.
Hello, and Welcome to the Meier Law Firm.
You’re in the right place!
We know that planning for the “what-ifs” in life, or navigating the aftermath of losing a loved one, can be overwhelming and stressful—we get it!
You probably have a lot of questions like what will happen to the kids, the home, the accounts, and how do I go about all this? How can I make sure the money doesn’t unnecessarily go to the government? And, who can I trust to help me so that everyone involved is safe and protected?
All of this we get, and we are here to help. Estate planning before AND after an illness, death, or major taxable event, is ALL that we do. We know you have questions. We know you are probably overwhelmed, stressed, and unsure how to go about all this or who you can trust to help you: who wouldn’t be? But let us assure you, it’s going to be OK. We are here to help you find answers and get the guidance you need, so that you can make a plan to move forward and experience peace of mind.
Our overall experience was one of satisfaction as well as a learning experience. The people at The Meier Law Firm are extremely knowledgeable within Family Trust planning. They did a good job of explaining each step of the process in a manner that we could understand. They were always punctual when meeting with us, and the meetings were always concise and comforting. They were also pleasant and friendly.
My brother had lost his living trust documents. Suddenly, we found out he has stage 4 cancer. We called Meier and they were able to put together an updated trust in less than a week. Everyone at the firm was wonderful and caring. Melanie was our attorney. If you are looking for a caring, honest law firm, Meier is the one for you!
Our experience with the Meier Law Firm was positive from our first meeting with Jessica, through the final product we received last week. Very professional yet personable. Every question was answered & suggestions made to simplify our Trusts. Their attention to detail gave us confidence in their work.
We were introduced to Meier Law Firm through a learning session at our daughter’s school district. We eventually decided to establish a family trust, as well as a special needs trust, through their firm. The team at Meier Law Firm were professional and incredibly responsive to our family’s needs. I highly recommend their legal services.
Just thinking about creating a trust or a will can be overwhelming. But Meier Law Firm makes it easy. They tell you what you need to know, ask all of the right questions, & provide great practical suggestions along the way that go far beyond the legal checklist. Highly recommend them for personal, professional service to deliver what you need in a timely manner.
Not only do they provide expert guidance; they will walk the journey with you step-by-step to help with your family trust. They execute at high levels, are very responsive, and deliver the optimal results within difficult situations. You definitely want Meier Law Group on your side of the table. I give my highest recommendation!
Here are some of the main ways we help our clients. Not sure where to start? Book your planning session.
Join a live webinar, register for an in-person event or invite Laura and Josh to speak at your company event.
In Good Parents Worry, Great Parents Plan, estate planning attorney and mother Laura Meier shows you the legal and practical steps you must take to protect your children from temporary foster care, courtrooms, loss of inheritance, and other turmoil most kids experience when their parents pass away.
“Laura Meier’s The Family Nest Egg gives parents the tools they need to find confidence, stop worrying, and secure the financial future for their loved ones. Laura’s real-life stories and actionable advice make this read a trustworthy resource for budgeting, investing, and preparing for a financial crisis.”
At Meier Law Firm, we are proud of our diverse and inclusive team. Members of our firm speak English, Spanish, Arabic, German, Mandarin Chinese, and French, enabling us to serve a wide range of clients and address their legal needs effectively.
This recognition is awarded to the top 2.5% of attorneys in California under 40 or in practice for less than 10 years. Learn more about her achievement.
An estate plan is like a Last Will and Testament in that it makes your wishes known. However, it gives you more control than a will does over how your estate is dispersed, who receives which assets, and the manner in which assets are distributed.
When planning your estate, the process involves creating legal documents that establish how your assets and property will be handled upon your death or incapacitation.
Estate plans often include a Last Will and Testament, trust funds, and even the appointment of powers of attorney to protect yourself and your estate should you no longer be able to do so.
A revocable trust is one that can be changed or dissolved at any time during the life of the trustor – the person that created the trust – as long as they have the mental capacity to do so.
This means that assets can be added or removed from the trust, beneficiaries can be changed, and any modifications to the terms of the trust document can be made by the trustor.
With an irrevocable trust, on the other hand, assets are transferred to the trust permanently and completely. Changes cannot be made to an irrevocable trust without the approval of the trust beneficiaries or a court ruling.
There are some financial benefits to irrevocable trusts that revocable trusts do not offer.
If you simply have a life insurance policy and don’t have an estate plan beyond that policy, your estate will likely go through the probate process when you pass away.
Probate is a series of court proceedings that legally settles a person’s estate when they die. It can be a costly and public process for your loved ones to endure.
When you establish an estate plan, there are ways to avoid probate altogether and preserve your assets while dispersing them in a private manner.
Certain sized estates are subject to probate upon the death of the individual, and since trusts help to avoid the probate process, your qualifying estate could benefit from setting up a trust.
You should consider a trust if you:
Setting up a trust protects your assets and property from the probate process and often from creditors.
Your estate plan should keep up with your wishes, which often means an examination after certain life changes, including:
Outside of these life events, it’s recommended that you review your estate plan every three or four years to be sure it’s still in line with your wishes.
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