Susan B. Geffen has helped hundreds of families with their estate planning. Many people erroneously believe that wills and trusts are only for the wealthy with large estates in Beverly Hills. If you own a home, have children and have a checking and/or savings account, wills and trusts allow you to leave your assets to whomever you choose in the most advantageous manner possible. Susan can explain how this works and help you create the most effective estate plan for your family and future.

Will Preparation Lawyer in Redondo Beach

Most California estate plans include several basic elements that allow you to record the final directives for handling your estate, including who will receive what assets and how they are to receive them. These common estate planning elements include the legal components below.

Will
A will is a legal document that is used to give instructions concerning your estate after you have passed away. This important tool provides legal backing to ensure that your wishes are carried out. Some common things included in a will include:

  • Naming an Executor for Your Estate
  • Naming Beneficiaries to Receive Your Assets
  • Distributing Assets Among Your Beneficiaries
  • Naming a Guardian/Conservator for Dependent Children or Adults
  • Giving Instructions Regarding the Administration of Trusts
Trusts
Trusts are legal instruments that you can use to leave assets to your beneficiaries without going through the probate process. Trusts can be structured to benefit certain parties while protecting the assets from seizure by debtors and undue taxation. There are many types of trusts to address different needs, including:

  • Revocable Trusts
  • Irrevocable Trusts
  • Special Needs Trusts
  • Asset Protection Trusts
  • California Land Trusts
  • Offshore Asset Trusts
  • Charitable/Non-Profit Trusts
Powers of Attorney
When you create a power of attorney, you designate a trusted individual to make medical and financial decisions for you in case you become unable to make those decisions for yourself. Often, spouses name each other in powers of attorney.
Advance Health Care Directives
Also called a “living will,” an advance health care directive gives instructions for your family and doctor to follow in case you ever fall into a persistent vegetative state or other situation where you are unable to make your own health care decisions. It lets your physician, family and friends know your health care preferences, including the types of special treatment you want or don’t want at the end of life, your desire for diagnostic testing, surgical procedures, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and organ donation.

Effective Los Angeles Estate Planning

Susan B. Geffen has over 30 years of experience helping Los Angeles residents with their estate planning. The basic measures above are the absolute minimum you should have in your estate plan in order to protect your assets and preserve them for your loved ones. There are also other measures you can include for various matters, including:

  • Trust Administration
  • Business Succession Planning
  • Health Care Power of Attorney
  • Tax Planning

Susan has the knowledge and skills to create an estate plan that is tailored to your specific needs and wishes, and legally solid to withstand any challenges. She can also help you update an existing estate plan when your life circumstances require changes. You should review your estate plan at least once a year to ensure it is up to date with your current circumstances and wishes.

Contact Susan Geffen at her legal office in Los Angeles for seasoned and effective assistance with creating or updating your estate plan in California.

Testimonial

Los Angeles Estate Planning Attorney

Trusts & Wills

Susan B. Geffen has helped hundreds of families with their estate planning. Is a Living Trust just for the wealthy? No. If you own a home, have children, wish to leave your assets to whomever you choose, then you should consider having a living trust prepared for you.

Learn More
Judge's desk with a gavel

Probate

Susan B. Geffen can help you with your probate matter, and provide you with the expert guidance throughout the process.

Learn More
Conservatorship law

Conservatorships

Many of Susan’s clients ask her about Conservatorships. It is a serious process and it takes a very knowledgeable and experience attorney to evaluate whether or not a conservatorship is realistic and/or necessary.

Learn More
Lady Justice

Trust Litigation

Disputes often arise after an individual dies and their estate is being administered by the named trustee. This is especially so when when there are substantial amounts of money involved or when family conflict is present.

Learn More
Elder Law Attorney in Los Angeles

Elder Law Attorney in Hermosa Beach

If you are concerned about Medi-Cal recovery, Susan has been successful in helping many elderly adults with the complicated and critical process of Medi-Cal Planning and Asset Protection.

Learn More
Elder Law Attorney in Los Angeles

Elder Law Attorney in Manhattan Beach

If you are concerned about Medi-Cal recovery, Susan has been successful in helping many elderly adults with the complicated and critical process of Medi-Cal Planning and Asset Protection.

Learn More
Elder Law Attorney in Los Angeles

Elder Law Attorney in Palos Verdes

If you are concerned about Medi-Cal recovery, Susan has been successful in helping many elderly adults with the complicated and critical process of Medi-Cal Planning and Asset Protection.

Learn More
Elder Law Attorney in Los Angeles

Elder Law Attorney in Beverly Hills

If you are concerned about Medi-Cal recovery, Susan has been successful in helping many elderly adults with the complicated and critical process of Medi-Cal Planning and Asset Protection.

Learn More
Elder Law Attorney in Los Angeles

Elder Law Attorney in El Segundo

If you are concerned about Medi-Cal recovery, Susan has been successful in helping many elderly adults with the complicated and critical process of Medi-Cal Planning and Asset Protection.

Learn More

My father found Susan's Elder Law advertisement and we called her office to schedule an appointment for consultation for a family trust. Her office asked for basic information to include the address of my parent's home. To my surprise, Susan came to my parent's home rather than have them make the trip to her Redondo office. My parents are 85 and 80 years old. Susan charged us a very reasonable rate, really worked hard to make this as quick and painless as possible and showed considerable patience - considering my parents' ages and health. In the end - everything went well and we were very pleased with Susan's friendliness, professionalism and thoroughness.
Thank you!

Bob
Elder Law Attorney (Lawyer for Old People) Susan B. Geffen

Contact Susan

Call Susan today (800) 285-2659 or send her a message by filling out the form below.