Wills &
Trusts
250+FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
Are you worried about the future? Are you thinking about what might happen to your loved ones or your assets when you’re gone? It’s not always the most comfortable thing, planning for your death or incapacitation — but it is necessary. Estate planning allows you to take control of your family’s financial future and sleep peacefully, knowing they’ll be well taken care of.
Meier Law Firm can help you navigate the estate planning process and organize your wishes so that you never have to worry about the future. Book a planning session with a Bakersfield estate planning attorney today. We’ll be by your side through the whole process.
According to Data USA’s report, the median income in Bakersfield, CA, in 2020 was $65,687, which exceeded the national average of $64,994. It also grew by 4.04% over Bakersfield’s 2019 median income of $63,139. Real estate properties and their values play a significant role in the estate planning process. In Bakersfield, the median property value was $258,700 in 2020 – a 4.7% increase from 2019’s median property value of $247,000. When you want to protect your assets and ensure your wishes are honored, an experienced estate planning attorney in Bakersfield, CA, can help you take the right steps.
Navigating the world of estate planning can be a difficult road. The good news is that you don’t have to travel that road alone. Here’s a list of helpful estate planning resources available in Bakersfield.
One requirement of estate planning is that your property and assets are valued accurately. This includes your family home and any other real estate property you own – like business property, vacation homes, and rental properties. Getting your real estate valued will help give you an accurate picture of your estate and holdings, and American Appraisal can help you by appraising your properties.
American Appraisal
1415 18th St.
Bakersfield, CA 93301
(661) 377-3000
You want your loved ones to benefit as much as possible from your estate in the future. That’s why managing your holdings and assets is so important. Moneywise Wealth Management can ensure that you’re meeting your financial goals and that your money is growing for the advantage of the next generation.
Moneywise Wealth Management
8700 Stockdale Hwy.
Bakersfield, CA 93311
(661) 847-1000
Taxes could negatively impact your loved ones after you pass. Many estate planning strategies call for addressing estate tax issues on your assets so that your beneficiaries don’t have to shoulder the burden. Sandoval Tax CPAs, Inc. can help you get a handle on your income, business, or estate taxes before it’s too late.
Sandoval Tax CPAs, Inc.
3877 Stockdale Hwy.
Bakersfield, CA 93309
(661) 325-0906
There are a lot of estate planning resources out there, but by far, the most valuable will be your estate planning attorney. At Meier Law Firm, we offer our clients a customized estate plan that fits their unique needs.
We’re specialized in the following practice areas:
Our law firm offers comprehensive estate planning to help you and your family plan for the unexpected. Life is never short of surprises. With proper estate planning, we can help you protect your legacy and avoid estate litigation involving probate disputes. Getting the help you need is just one phone call away.
Contact our estate planning and elder law attorneys at Meier Law Firm today.
It’s not easy to think about what will happen to your loved ones when you can no longer care for them. But that’s why planning for your family’s future is crucial. While complex and often emotional, your mind will be set at ease once you have a plan.
At Meier Law Firm, we understand that estate planning can be stressful. That’s why we try our best to make the process as smooth and simple as possible for you and your loved ones. We create estate plans for our clients tailored to their needs so that their wishes can be known when they can no longer speak for themselves.
If you need a Bakersfield estate planning attorney, reach out to the experienced team of attorneys at Meier Law Firm and schedule your planning session. 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.”
Probate is a court-supervised process in which a deceased person’s estate is collected, managed and distributed. The court examines the individual’s estate – including any wills the deceased had in place – and settles debts, identifies beneficiaries, and settles the estate. It’s a lengthy, pricey, and stressful process for your loved ones. The court proceedings are also public, meaning details of your estate and beneficiaries will be public record.
California probate law mandates that any estate exceeding $166,250 in value go through the probate process. However, a skilled estate planning attorney can deploy strategies to keep your estate out of probate.
The most effective way to avoid probate in California is to start a living trust. There are a few different types of trusts – including revocable trusts and irrevocable trusts – and the one you choose depends on your estate planning strategy. A trust holds any assets you want to be set aside for your loved ones, keeping those funds out of probate and often away from creditors.
Virtual and in-person appointments available.
