Why Do I Need an Estate Plan?
Knowing that your estate and your wishes are protected by legal experts in estate planning in Rancho Cucamonga can give you peace of mind. A properly designed estate plan should provide you with the documents needed to:
Avoid a prolonged, unnecessary court action (probate) and ensure your assets are transferred efficiently to the person(s) or charities of your choice;
Make sure the people you trust most are legally authorized to handle your health and financial decisions if you become incapacitated or pass away;
Provide your chosen representatives with flexibility that is not available in a formal probate proceeding;
Ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes — not according to default California law.
Families throughout Rancho Cucamonga, Upland, Alta Loma, Etiwanda, and San Antonio Heights rely on thoughtful estate planning to protect their loved ones and avoid unnecessary legal complications.
What is Included?
Not only will you receive a trust (a Will alone is not enough to avoid probate) tailored to your unique needs by attorneys experienced in estate planning in Rancho Cucamonga, but you will also receive the appropriate Powers of Attorney for financial management and health care decisions. We also conduct a detailed review of your assets to make sure your plan covers all personal and real property — not just those placed into a trust.
For example, we review beneficiary designations on IRAs and 401(k) accounts, life insurance policies, annuities, pay-on-death accounts, and jointly held assets. This ensures that everything you own, regardless of how it is titled, passes to your beneficiaries in a coordinated and cost-effective manner.
Hedtke Law Firm provides hands-on assistance with transferring and retitling assets, including preparing deeds and assignments to your trust, so that your estate plan works exactly as intended. We regularly help clients across Los Olivos, Grapeland, Rochester, North Cucamonga, and surrounding neighborhoods complete this important step.
How Long Does it Take?
Drafts of estate plans are typically provided within two weeks of being hired — sooner if there is urgency. After you review the drafts and any revisions are made, signing appointments can be scheduled promptly based on your availability.
How Much Will It Cost?
We do not charge for the initial consultation. At the end of your first meeting, our attorneys will provide a flat or estimated fee for your estate plan. In most cases, a comprehensive estate plan that includes a revocable living trust ranges from $2,000 to $3,000, depending on the number of assets and overall complexity.