Wills &
Trusts
250+FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
They tell you you can’t take it with you, but then the conversation ends there. What happens to those assets? What happens to your children? And how can you make sure it all gets into the right hands?
You plan.
An estate plan is the who, what, and when of how your money and property get split up after your death. It lets you decide who’s the best fit to take care of your children, who makes decisions for you if you get sick, or at minimum, it spares your loved ones the heartache of making these decisions for you when they’re grieving. Your estate plan is your family’s future, all wrapped into a few legal documents—and we know you want to make it a great one. But we get it—on its own, estate planning is a lot to take in all at once. With the endless information available online, you probably don’t even know where to start—a will, a trust, healthcare directive?
Let us make it easy for you—let’s start with a consultation with a Fullerton estate planning attorney.
If you live in Fullerton, California, chances are you’ve done pretty well for yourself. The most recent census report shows that homes in the area go for around $698,600 on average; with a 53% homeownership rate and median household income of just under $100,000. But success isn’t easy to come by—you worked hard for this, and what’s it all for if not to give your children and grandchildren a great head start in life? But like the amazing parent you are, you’ve thought about that, which is why you’re ready to put a plan together that protects them no matter what. It’s time to get the ball rolling on your estate plan. Let us walk you through it. Contact an estate planning attorney serving Fullerton today.
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. 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. Here are a couple of helpful resources to back your estate planning efforts in Fullerton, CA.
Estate planning often requires an appraisal of your assets, such as your physical property. If you need help with the appraisal process, contact the Sammco Appraisal Group.
Sammco Appraisal Group
1527 Camino Alto
Fullerton, CA 92833
(714) 872-8770
Growing old can come with specific challenges. If you or someone you know needs senior services, such as food assistance or caregiver support, visit the Fullerton Community Center.
Fullerton Community Center
304 W. Commonwealth Ave.
Fullerton, CA 92832
(714) 738-6575
Your family is one of a kind, and your estate plan should reflect that.
Whether your goals are to plan care for young children, grow and protect wealth, or simply make things as easy as possible for the family you leave behind—our estate planning team will be there to help you achieve those goals.
Here are a few ways our team can help you:
Congratulations on taking the first step towards protecting your family. Let us help you take the next few—starting with a consultation with a Fullerton estate planning attorney today.
When you’re busy enjoying life, it’s hard to imagine what things will be like when you’re gone—whether your children will be loved and well cared for or how your spouse will make ends meet in your absence. These are the kind of questions that keep you up at night. At Meier Law Firm, we want to help you find answers. We don’t just want you to have a plan—we want you to feel confident that your family is protected if anything happens to you. Contact the dedicated estate planning lawyers at Meier Law Firm today to start planning for your future. Our law office is at 450 Newport Center Drive #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.”
No. A will is a legal document that states your final wishes. An estate plan is a group of legal documents that perform various functions to protect your assets while you’re here and after you’re gone. While a will is a good starting point for estate planning, it can miss the bar for serving the people it was created to protect.
The best way to avoid probate is to transfer ownership of your assets. This can be done by having your assets held by a trust, executing transfer on death deeds, making a beneficiary designation, or other estate planning strategies.
The following is a short list of assets you should consider addressing within your estate plan:
Virtual and in-person appointments available.
