Probate law is the legal process that sorts out the deceased person’s estate. The will or estate is administered through probate upon the person’s death.
While it is possible to go through probate court alone, working with a probate attorney is often much more manageable. Napa, CA, residents are already going through a painful time and are grieving their loved one’s loss. Hiring someone who understands what you’re going through and offers compassion is crucial.
When you hire Von Rock Law, you’ll experience compassionate and caring legal professionals who value integrity above all else. Do you need a probate lawyer? Use the online contact form or call (866) 720-0195 to request your free case evaluation!
Many people wonder who hires a probate lawyer. Do you get one before your death, or have your family members do that task on top of everything else? While you can allow your estate executor to hire a probate attorney, it’s often wise to do this yourself.
Typically, a probate attorney will handle various things while you’re alive. This can include creating a will or living trust, crafting power of attorney documents and filing them correctly, and much more. Likewise, your lawyer will help you make an estate plan which protects your assets and family members and avoid probate altogether.
If you don’t hire a probate lawyer, and neither do your family members, the probate court distributes your estate on your behalf. Who knows if this will be in your family’s best interests?
When you work with Von Rock Law, you’ll enjoy many benefits, including:
People often hire probate attorneys to reduce costs. While you do have to pay the fees, they’re usually less expensive than going through probate court. For example, the lawyer can gain control of your assets sooner after you pass, which will protect your assets from theft or loss.
Most people aren’t prepared to pass away, and your loved ones won’t be in the right frame of mind because they’re grieving. Therefore, having someone with knowledge and experience in this industry is crucial.
An attorney could help your family avoid conflicts. Everyone has a different opinion about how assets should be divided. Lawyers offer unbiased views and ensure your estate gets settled fairly.
Your probate lawyer will settle your estate quickly. While your family members don’t necessarily need an attorney, it will take longer to research all the steps to take and go through the court system.
As you age, you want to write a will that dictates your final wishes. It will also help your family members stay organized while they’re grieving the loss of you. Therefore, it’s important to call Von Rock Law. Our attorneys are here to assist. Schedule your free consultation by dialing (866) 720-0195 or completing the online form.
In short, yes. Death is unavoidable. An estate plan protects not only your family and assets, but will also give you peace of mind that your assets will be properly managed when you are gone.
An estate plan created by Von Rock Law is a solution to protecting and preserving your estate in the case that you die or become incapacitated. It contains the following legal documents:
A legal document that places some or all of your assets in the control of a trust during your lifetime
A legal declaration of a person’s wishes regarding the disposal of their property or estate after death
A durable power of attorney refers to a power of attorney which typically remains in effect until the death of the principal or until the document is revoked. A durable power of attorney, the durability of which must be explicitly stated, remains valid even in the event the principal is unable to make personal decisions due to incapacity.
A legal document that explains how you want medical decisions about you to be made if you cannot make the decisions yourself. An advance directive lets your health care team and loved ones know what kind of health care you want, or who you want to make decisions for you when you can’t.
An estate plan not only ensures your family and assets are protected in the case you die or become incapacitated, but it also helps your estate avoid being subjected to probate, a long and costly process.
Our Custom Estate Plan is a comprehensive trust-based estate plan which is appropriate for most estates including those with minor children or other minor beneficiaries, for those requiring protections for beneficiaries and for blended families. This estate plan works toward eliminating probate court proceedings, appointing successors to manage the Trust after your death, and directs the distribution of your assets.
One 30 minute consultation meeting by telephone, video conference or in person
Revocable Living Trust
Certification of Living Trust
Last Will & Testament **
Durable Power of Attorney **
Advanced Health Care Directive **
Authorization of Release of Medical Records (“HIPAA”) **
Assignment of Personal Property **
Personal Property Memorandum **
Trust Transfer Deed (one property)
Recording Deed with county recorder
One opportunity to request edits to above documents with respect to client-provided information
Recording fees included
Preliminary Change of Ownership Report
Final signing meeting
Complete instructions regarding plan
Notary fees included
Personalized estate planning binder with all original documents
Digital PDF copies of your entire plan
Additional Deeds with ancillary documents and recording fees begin at $1000 for California properties and for out of state US properties, subject to confirmation of non-California recording fees.
Up to five hours with our staff for emails, phone calls, zooms or in person meetings to address your questions regarding the maintenance of your estate plan, funding, coordination with agents, potential amendments, family meetings or other ongoing trust maintenance concerns.
A 5% discount on billable matters for which you may further retain us, such as drafting additional plan documents and amendments, or for another practice area.
Deluxe custom estate plans are appropriate for individuals with substantial assets and sophisticated planning needs, and who require estate tax planning features for estates exceeding the estate tax threshold of $12,060,000 for individuals or $24,120,000 in community property for married couples. These plans include all of the offerings of the Custom Estate plan, but will also address such circumstances such as complicated blended families, citizenship issues, multiple real estate holdings, multiple beneficiary designations, integrated special needs trusts, or otherwise more sophisticated distribution plans.
We are offer a college care plan that will allow parents to still be able to act for their 18+ children for medical, financial and legal purposes, and to distribute the child’s assets should the child pre-decease the parent. This plan includes a Durable Power of Attorney, Advance Health Care Directive, HIPAA and Simple Will which identifies not more than two beneficiaries with outright inheritance. Further, this plan includes a generic FERPA Consent Form that will authorize parents to communicate with a college regarding the student’s classes, transcripts, grades and more. Many educational institutions will have their own forms for this Consent which may be required, but if not, our standard form should be accepted.
This plan includes a 30 minute consultation and the cost of online notary fees arranged by this office. Digital and paper copies of the plan documents will be provided.
Estate Plan revisions are provided on an hourly basis and estimates of the projected cost are provided to the client before work commences. Simple revisions to Estate Plans are often in the 2 – 3 hour range, with more complex revisions taking longer, bearing in mind that each circumstance is unique.
PLEASE NOTE – We will not amend plans that we did not draft. We will prepare re-statements of Trusts and new documents for planning documents we did not generate.