ESTATE PLANNING

MAKE A PLAN TO PROTECT YOUR FAMILY AND FUTURE

If you haven’t planned for the future, you could be risking everything. The direction of your life and that of your family can change from one day to the next. Without a will or trust, your estate, and other assets, could be subject to intestacy, which is when the state decides what to do with your property and finances.Don’t let your family get caught in a probate headache or a conflict after your passing.

Having your estate planning handled before any unfortunate circumstances befall you, such as losing your ability to speak on your own behalf due to a coma or other incapacitation, offers peace of mind in knowing your assets will be seen to and your loved ones will rightfully benefit from your wishes.

Michael can assist the bereaved with estate and trust administration. If you have a sizable estate and are concerned with ensuring the proper division of your assets, you may consider having an estate administrator work on your behalf.

You may think that you don’t need to hire an attorney for this process, that a simple last will and testament will do the trick. While having an updated will is essential for every adult, especially those with families, it is also important to consider other factors such as taxes, providing for future generations and more.

PASSING ALONG YOUR BUSINESS

Estate planning also helps determine the future of your business. This is carried out through a succession plan, which can hand off ownership or leadership of your company to a loved one or specific person within your company.

With more than 40 years of experience in handling estate and trust planning and estate and trust administration, Michael is efficient and thorough in making sure your estate is handled properly after your passing.

PLANNING FOR INCAPACITATION

With longer life expectancies, people now must also plan for being unable to make decisions on their own in the event of their disability. It's important to place appropriate powers of attorney, advance health care directives, and authorizations concerning protected personal health information.

Living wills are intended to convey and protect your wishes and assets when you are unable to do so yourself. Living wills can outline medical treatment, such as resuscitation. In 2015, California became the fifth state to allow end-of-life decisions. This can be carried out through advance medical directives. While it’s not a pleasant thought, losing the ability to decide your future is a more frightening prospect. Advance medical directives also allow you to appoint a healthcare agent to speak on your behalf.

TAKE THE STRESS OUT OF ESTATE PLANNING

There are plenty of legal problems you may get caught in if you’re trying to plan your estate yourself. This can be a very personal decision with consequences that must be accounted for. Hiring a trusted San Diego attorney like Michael A. Van Horne gives you the peace of mind of knowing that your estate planning is being undertaken by a compassionate and experienced individual. You can rest easy knowing that, with a solid plan for your estate, you will be taken care of in the event of your incapacitation, and your wishes and distribution of assets will be carried out in the way you’ve specified.