Gregory W. Cabo – Orange County Estate Planning Lawyer
The first few weeks after the passing of a loved one are never easy—but uncertainty over the decedent’s estate can unduly complicate this emotionally trying time. The best way to alleviate this burden on your heirs is to consult an experienced Orange County estate planning lawyer. Gregory W. Cabo, Attorney at Law can help provide you and your family peace of mind by preparing a complete estate plan for your estate.
Avoiding Probate Administration
For Orange County estates, California probate laws dictate that estates valued over $100,000 or estates that include real property valued over $30,000 be administered by the Superior Court of Orange County. This is a lengthy and costly public proceeding that may take eight months or longer to complete. Even preparing just a will may be subject your estate to probate administration. Luckily, you can avoid probate of your estate by planning ahead.
A living trust is typically the best way to avoid probate. A living trust transfers your assets to a trust, which avoids probate. Orange County estate planning lawyer Gregory Cabo will prepare your trust documents which will name your successor trustee. These successor trustees will assume management of the trust after the original trustee passes or can no longer manage his or her financial affairs (i.e. also avoids conservatorship of your estate) without intervention by the court.
Preparing a Living Trust
Orange County estate planning lawyer Gregory W. Cabo will prepare you and your spouse’s living trust, name trustees, successor trustees and beneficiaries and assist you with funding the living trust once it’s established. This last step is particularly important, as your estate will not successfully bypass probate if you fail to transfer assets to the living trust prior to your passing. Gregory can help you avoid this mistake and other commonly overlooked items by personally preparing and filing all the important legal documentation required for establishing your trust.
Find out if a living trust is right for you and your heirs—call Orange County estate planning lawyer Gregory W. Cabo at (714) 771-2227 for a free phone consultation.