Modesto Will & Trust Lawyer

Ensure Your Wishes Are Fulfilled

Wills and trusts are legal documents that are typically included in an estate plan. Whether you have a standalone will or a trust with an accompanying pour over will depends on your preferences and intentions. Either way, we recommend that you consult with an experienced estate planning lawyer. In order for either document to be enforceable, they must meet certain legal requirements. A will and trust attorney from our Modesto law firm can help you solidify your estate plan.

Call a Modesto Will & Trust Attorney

At Swingle, Van Egmond & Heitlinger, we will work one-on-one with you to draft a will or trust that addresses your concerns and parallels your intentions. We have extensive experience helping clients in Modesto, Turlock and the surrounding areas with their estate plans. Schedule an in-person or virtual consultation with us to discuss your estate planning goals.

Call us at (209) 340-1110 or contact us online and Arata, Swingle, Van Egmond & Heitlinger will be in touch with you soon.

What is a Last Will and Testament?

A will is a legal document that this created by a person and directs what will happen to their assets after death. The person creating the will is referred to as the Testator. Generally, for a will to be effective, it must be signed by the Testator and be acknowledged by two witnesses unrelated to the Testator. In certain circumstances, a handwritten will may be effective. However, it is not advisable to attempt to handwrite a will without first consulting a knowledgeable Modesto estate planning attorney familiar with the legal requirements of wills.

What is Probate?

According to the California Probate Code, when a person dies with a will and their assets total $150,000 or more, the probate court will oversee the administration of the will. The Testator will nominate an executor, in the will, who will be responsible for marshaling assets, paying creditors and distributing the remaining assets according to the terms of the will. Most of the documents in a probate will become public record after they are filed with the probate court, including the distribution of assets. It is imperative that you you speak with a probate attorney in Modesto if you are considering a will as part of your estate plan to ensure that your estate will be distributed according to your intentions.

Modesto Trusts Lawyer

There are several different types of trust instruments. The most common is the Revocable Living Trust. A trust is essentially a separate entity in which the person creating the trust, known as the settlor, transfers assets, which are then held for the beneficiaries of the trust. The settlor transfers legal title of the assets to a Trustee who holds the assets in trust for the beneficiaries. Most often, the settlor is the Trustee during their lifetime. The settlor will appoint a successor Trustee who will administer the trust according to the terms of the trust after the settlor passes away.

There are several benefits for creating a trust. The distribution of assets held in trust are not typically overseen by the court. This avoids the high costs associated with the probate process and also keeps the distribution of assets private. There also may be several tax advantages to holding your assets in trust. A living trust attorney in Modesto can help you to determine whether a trust is right for your estate plan.

How Much Does a Living Trust Cost?

If you are creating an estate plan, you have the choice of setting up a will and a living trust. When working with a will and trust attorney near you, te cost of setting up a trust may cost an estimated $1,000 to $4,000 depending on the law firm you work with. This covers all documents needed to establish a trust and powers of attorney (financial and healthcare). A will may cost an estimated $400 to $700 to create.

It is not necessary to work with an attorney to create your will or trust, however, it is not advisable to do so to prevent disputes between your loved ones and to ensure that all of your assets are accounted for and your wishes are properly fulfilled after your passing.

Work with a Modesto Trust Lawyer

If your estate is complex or you believe your estate will result in result in a complicated situation between your loved ones, reach out to an experienced trust attorney in Modesto at today.

Consult a trust lawyer if:

You do not know who to name as your successor trustee
You have many debts
You are not sure what your assets are
You have property in other countries
You want to put conditions on certain gifts -- for example, you want a set amount of money to go to your niece when they graduate from high school
You suspect that there will be conflicts over your assets

For guidance with your trust, speak with a Modesto trust lawyer at Arata, Swingle, Van Egmond & Heitlinger.

Pour Over Will

Most estate plans also include a pour-over will when there is a revocable living trust. A pour over will directs the Executor to transfer any assets, not held in trust, to the Trustee who will then administer according to the terms of the trust. For a more in-depth understanding of trusts and to decide if settling a trust is right for you, contact a Modesto will attorney at Swingle, Van Egmond & Heitlinger.

Our Firm’s Wills and Trusts Practice

The Modesto, California estate planning lawyers at Swingle, Van Egmond & Heitlinger have knowledgeable and practical experience drafting wills and trusts. Our attorneys keep current on the law surrounding wills and trusts. An experienced and knowledgeable will and trust attorney in Modesto will work one to one with you to draft a will or trust that addresses your concerns and parallels your intentions.

“This firm exemplifies how a multi-faceted group of attorneys can work together to achieve positive results.”
- James M.