Oceanside Estate Planning Attorneys

The future is unpredictable, which is why creating an estate plan is essential to you and your family. An estate plan not only details all of your wishes for after you pass, but it also provides you with the peace of mind that your loved ones and your assets are going to be taken care of properly when you’re no longer there. Without an estate plan, such as a will or a trust, the state may take over the process of delegating your assets. To ensure your wishes are respected and fulfilled in the future, create a unique estate plan with an attorney you can trust.

Paul V.L. Campo, Attorney at Law: Your Oceanside Estate Planning Attorney

Estate planning can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. At Paul V.L. Campo, Attorney at Law, our staff is committed to helping individuals plan for their futures how they see fit. We understand just how difficult it can be to lose a loved one, especially when they didn’t have any legally documented wishes for after they pass.

For over three decades, Paul V.L Campo, Attorney at Law, has been assisting families across Southern California through a variety of estate planning services. From creating estate plans unique to you and your assets to helping individuals who lost a loved one who didn’t have a will, we are prepared to help you in the toughest of times.

What Is Estate Planning?

Estate planning is the process of organizing an individual’s estate and documenting how they want it to be handled when they pass away. There are a variety of different aspects that go into estate planning, from deciding how you want your assets divided to how your funds will be allocated when you pass. The most common kinds of estate plans include wills and trusts. Both of these are legal documents that can lay out an individual’s intentions and are created while a person is still alive. By having an estate plan in place, you create a legally binding document that must be respected after you pass.

What Is Included in Estate Planning?

The average estate plan includes multiple documents, such as a will, healthcare power of attorney, a letter of personal intent, and guardianship designations for children when applicable. With that said, the process of estate planning can encompass a wide array of different aspects, including:

• Creating a will or trust
• Division of assets
• Guardianship requests
• Transfer of business
• Disability arrangements
• Beneficiaries
• Power of attorney
• Wishes for how assets are taken care of
• Other personal information

Why Is Having an Estate Plan Important?

Having an estate plan is imperative for you, your family, and your assets for a multitude of reasons, including:

Makes the Process Easier on Your Loved Ones

Death is a stressful, overwhelming process for anyone. From dealing with the grief of losing your loved one to planning a funeral, none of it is easy. Sometimes though, the process can be even more difficult if a loved one didn’t have a plan in place for when they passed. This often forces relatives to endure an even more stressful process trying to organize and distribute the estate they were left with.

By creating an estate plan, such as a will or trust, you can help make the process immensely easier on your loved ones. Because an estate plan is legally binding, your wishes have to be followed and executed. This can help prevent disputes between family members, partners, and even the state. It also helps speed up the probate process, which can be extremely long when there is no will or trust present.

Keeps the State From Taking Over

Without an estate plan in place when you pass, your assets will be distributed according to California state law. While there are succession laws in place, the state most likely won’t handle your assets exactly how you or your loved ones hope. By working with an estate planning lawyer, you can trust that your wishes will be heard and fulfilled. An estate plan is a legally binding document that must be executed when a person passes, so you can have peace of mind knowing everything will be taken care of.

Help Your Loved Ones Avoid Extra Costs

Unfortunately, even passing away can be expensive. From legal fees to funeral services, your loved ones are most likely going to be taking on a great deal of responsibility after you pass. To help lessen that burden, you can create an estate plan that is executed by your attorney after your passing. Your estate plan can help make the probate process both easier and cheaper for your family members, as well as help them avoid some extra taxes and fees.

What Is the Difference Between a Will and a Trust?

Both wills and trusts are legal documents that lay out the intentions of an individual for when they pass. One of the biggest differences between the two is that a will details exactly how assets will be divided and how other affairs will be handled, whereas a trust gives a trustee the right to manage those assets, similar to a transfer of ownership. Another factor that separates the two is that a will cannot be executed until the person who created it has passed away. However, a living trust can be implemented while the creator is still alive. Whether you choose a will or trust for your estate plan is going to depend heavily on your unique circumstances, such as potential beneficiaries and the worth of the assets you’re dealing with.

Planning for Your Future Today

It’s never too late to plan for your future. When you work with Paul V.L. Campo, Attorney at Law, we believe that every life and its legacy is important. That’s why we are dedicated to helping individuals and families across California create a plan for after they pass. Both you and your loved ones deserve peace of mind, and we can help create that with you. To learn more about our trusted estate planning services in Oceanside or for more information about our firm, contact us today.