HDL Hi-Desert Law

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HDL Hi-Desert Law
760-645-6993

Preserving Your Legacy Through Estate Planning

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Vital Estate Planning Tools: Wills And Trusts

Wills and trusts are vital instruments to any estate plan; they protect your hard-earned assets for your loved ones now and in the future. Wealth protection attorney, Don “DJ” Ross founded Hi-Desert Law in Yucca Valley to help clients in California prepare and plan for the future. Working with his legal team, he can help you create the best estate plan for you and your family.

Creating A Will And Avoiding Probate

When a person dies without a will, the law in California requires that their estate pass through the probate court, who will distribute your wealth and assets to your heirs according to the rules of inheritance and with no input or regard for your wishes. If you don’t have any relatives or heirs, your property can be lost to the state of California. In addition, there can be steep legal costs and fees that apply to your estate if it has to go through the probate process. At the very least, attorney Ross encourages all his clients to have a will. A simple holographic will may work as a temporary solution, until you are able to. A holographic will does not need to be witnessed or notarized if it is handwritten in the client’s handwriting. Remember, with a will alone, the probate court will oversee the distribution of your assets, which can add costs and time, but your estate and property will at least go to who you want it to go to.

Establishing Trusts To Protect Assets

Attorney Ross uses a variety of trusts to help his clients. After assessing your assets, wealth and financial responsibilities to assess your legal and financial goals for your estate plan, he can help create the following trusts:

  • Charitable remainder trusts (CRT)
  • Charitable lead trusts (CLT)
  • Irrevocable life insurance trusts (ILIT)
  • Revocable trusts (living trusts)
  • Trusts for minors
  • Credit shelter trusts
  • Qualified terminable interest property trusts (QTIP)
  • Qualified domestic trusts (QDOT)

Utilizing a trust as part of your estate plan can help avoid the probate process and eliminate potential attacks by creditors. A trust is a simple and streamlined way to protect your property.

Protecting Children With An Emergency Guardianship Plan

Previously, attorney Ross worked as a peace officer. He was also a children’s victim/witness advocate for the district attorney’s office. Arriving on the scene of a traffic accident where both a husband and wife had lost their lives always created intense moments of uncertainty as first responders worked to figure out if the couple had children. In the event children lost their parents in a tragedy, without an emergency plan or directive, Child Protection Services (CPS) was required to place the children, which is not always ideal or best for the children. Siblings also may be separated depending on available resources. It can take a long time to get the children out of the care of CPS and into the hands of a loved one, relative or family member. To provide parents peace of mind, estate planning attorney DJ Ross offers clients a free child protection service to create an emergency plan and designate potential future permanent guardians to protect children as part of an estate plan for families.

Protect Your Assets, Wealth And Children With A Comprehensive Estate Plan

Attorney DJ Ross is ready to help you assess your estate planning needs. Hi-Desert Law offers an initial consultation appointment for free. Call the office at 760-645-6993 or send an email through the online form to schedule yours today.