Young Legal Services, P.C.

Estate Planning

If you have a specific plan for what you'd like to happen to your estate, would like to plan for care in your golden years, or you just want to make sure your heirs don't have to go through the hassle of Probate, Young Legal Services, P.C. can assist you in planning your estate. This may include a full estate plan containing a trust, will, power of attorney, advanced health care directive, HIPAA acknowledgement and Deed. Alternatively, you may only be seeking to retitle your home or draft a power of attorney. Each plan will be tailored to the client's estate and personal wishes. Nobody will be "upsold" on documents that they don't need - only what would genuinely be helpful for your future. 

Probate

If a loved one owned property in California and did not create an estate plan before they passed away, their estate will probably need to go through a process known as Probate. In this process, a responsible heir, family member, or close friend will be appointed Administrator/Executor, and will be responsible for inventorying the estate, dealing with creditors, selling property, and arranging distributions to beneficiaries, all under the supervision of the court.

The Probate process can last anywhere from six months to many years, and it is strongly recommended to obtain assistance from a Probate attorney. This will ensure that the Probate process moves as quickly and effectively as possible, and helps to avoid situations which create personal legal liability.

Conservatorships

If you have a friend or family member that does not have the capacity to live independently or manage their estate without assistance, then they may benefit from having a conservator appointed for them. A conservator is someone who is able to make legal decisions on behalf of the person lacking capacity (known as the conservatee). Unlike a power of attorney, a conservator has final say in important decisions, which makes conservatorships crucially important in cases of individuals with advanced dementia or developmental disabilities. 

Trust Administration

Once you or your loved ones have made an estate plan, it still needs to be administered. While cheaper and much more straightforward than probate, trust administration is not without potential legal pitfalls. It is always recommended to obtain legal counsel, even if it is just in a limited fashion, to ensure you are proceeding with administering a trust properly. This can usually be done very quickly, but in the event that someone attempts to dispute the trust, it is crucial to have representation to avoid personal liability.

Estate Litigation

One of the hardest things to deal with after the passing of a loved one is contentious litigation over their estate - often with other family members. The process is emotionally and financially draining, and if mismanaged, can break families and bankrupt estates. Young Legal Services, P.C. is here to help you navigate that struggle successfully, while maintaining as much of the estate as possible.