Wills &
Trusts
250+FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
As a parent, you can’t help but worry. You worry about your kids’ safety, their future, and what would happen to them if you weren’t around anymore. And because of that, you protect them fiercely—which is why you want to put an estate plan together that protects them no matter what. But you also have a lot on your plate, and you wouldn’t even know where to begin when it comes to estate planning.
That’s okay! You can lean on us for guidance.
Whether you want to ensure your family is taken care of, avoid probate, or just save some money, we’re here to help. We’ll help you secure their future— starting with a free consultation with our Irvine estate planning attorney.
Chances are you’ve done well for yourself if you live in Irvine. The census report shows homes in the area go for around $900,700 on average; with a 44.5% homeownership rate and median household income of $114,027. With all of this money going around, you’ll need to find a safe place to put it. Because if it’s one thing we know—it’s not about what you have, but what you keep. The greatest final act of love is providing your family peace of mind knowing that their future is taken care of. Give them the gift of financial security by connecting with an estate planning lawyer in Irvine, CA.
Your family is one of a kind, and your estate plans should reflect that.
While many estate planning tools are at your disposal, you only need the ones that benefit you in the long run, which is why we cover various estate planning services. When the time comes, your family can move forward confidently.
Here are a few ways our family can help yours.
Drafting a will is a good starting point for estate planning if you don’t own much or have dependents. This legal document outlines your wishes for your estate should you pass away. It is customizable to your specific situation and can include naming beneficiaries, designating guardians for your minor children, and assigning a trusted executor for your estate. But unfortunately, a will does not spare your family from having to go through a long and expensive court process known as probate when you pass away. That’s why a will is typically not a good solution for families who own a home or have more than just personal belongings.
Like wills, living trusts also name beneficiaries and identify who you want to be in charge of administering your estate if you pass away. However, a trust avoids that long and expensive court process known as probate, and allows you to transfer your assets upon your death privately and efficiently, and without court intervention.
Efficient tax planning keeps more money in your estate and, therefore, your family’s pocket. Why hand over your hard-earned money to the government when there are ways to reduce or eliminate your tax bill? We can keep you abreast of the most current and effective tax strategies for your specific financial situation and then help you shelter that wealth with a customized estate plan.
It’s not about what you have but what you keep. Even after doing all the right things—working hard, investing, planning—it could all be lost to litigation, divorce, probate, etc. Though it may seem unlikely, you must plan for the unthinkable. Wealth preservation and thorough asset protection allow you to keep what’s yours regardless of what happens.
Are you a caregiver for your aging parents? Are you worried about long-term care and medical expenses draining your hard-earned money? Costs are increasing every year, and a plan that maximizes resources like Medi-Cal and VA Benefits is a must. We can help you use various estate planning tools to ensure you don’t go broke paying for long-term care.
When you have a child with special needs, many variables must be considered for their future. Special needs planning ensures that—should something happen to you—your child will be cared for according to your wishes and receive the assets you set aside in special needs trusts without disqualifying your child from vital government benefits.
Estate planning is a complex and ongoing process. It can be a difficult road to walk down, but you’ll be happy to know you don’t have to walk it alone.
Below is a list of helpful resources that can boost your estate planning efforts.
The value of your home and other real estate properties impacts the estate planning process and any strategies you put in place. Core Valuation Management Inc can help you with property appraisals, giving you an accurate picture.
Core Valuation Management, Inc.
6 Jenner #250
Irvine, CA 92618
The Orange County Superior Court is the court overseeing probate and guardianship matters for Irvine, CA residents.
Orange County Superior Court
700 W. Civic Center Dr.
Santa Ana, CA 92701
It’s true what they say—tomorrow isn’t promised. And, with all that life throws at you, it can be challenging to find your way back to creating an estate plan to ensure your family’s future is safe.
But we’ll be here for you. We can help you create a plan that’s as unique as your family.
Here are our estate planning services.
Though we don’t know what tomorrow holds, we can put a plan in place today. Whether asset protection planning or wealth counsel, our Irvine estate planning lawyers will be there to assist you every step of the way in your estate planning matters.
Creating a family and building a life you love is beautiful, and protecting that family is a must. But in your effort to do so, it may be difficult to know where to start and who to trust to help you make these decisions. The bottom line is you want to do what’s best for your family. So let’s start there. At Meier Law Firm, we’ll help you create a customized estate plan that keeps more money in your pocket and keeps your loved ones out of probate court. Most importantly, we’ll ensure you have everything you need to make sure your family is taken care of, so you can sleep peacefully.
And to most, that’s worth everything.
Reach out to our estate planning attorneys at Meier Law Firm to book a planning session today. You can also visit our office at 450 Newport Center Dr. #625, Newport Beach, CA 92660.
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.”
Among the many mistakes made in improper estate planning, the most common tend to be:
The good news is that the legal issues that result from these mistakes can be avoided when you enlist the help of a thorough, sophisticated estate planning attorney.
Any estate valued at more than $166,250 is subject to California probate. The best way to avoid probate is to create a living trust that shelters your assets from this valuation. There are several types of trusts—irrevocable trusts and revocable trusts—and which one you choose depends on your planning strategy.
Virtual and in-person appointments available.
