San Diego lawyer specializing in Bankruptcy,Estate Planning, Personal Injury, Workers Compensation. /Living-Wills-and-Trusts/ 2010-03-17T16:30:03Z Joomla! 1.5 - Open Source Content Management 2008-04-24T17:14:10Z 2008-04-24T17:14:10Z /Living-Wills-and-Trusts/What-if-I-want-to-change-my-trust-later.html

<p style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Changing your trust later is not a problem. Once you establish your revocable living trust, you can amend or revoke it as often as you feel is necessary. Most often people make changes to their trust to amend the person in charge of distribution (trustee), or to amend those receiving their assets (beneficiaries). </font></p><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><p>To learn more about wills and trusts, come attend one of our free wills and trusts estate planning workshops,<font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> <a href="index.php?view=article&catid=26%3Aliving-wills-and-trust&id=75%3Afree-estate-planning-workshops&option=com_content&Itemid=25">click here to learn more</a>. </font></p><p><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Or, you can call our offices at (619) 737-9159 to schedule a free consultation.</font></p></font>

<p style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Changing your trust later is not a problem. Once you establish your revocable living trust, you can amend or revoke it as often as you feel is necessary. Most often people make changes to their trust to amend the person in charge of distribution (trustee), or to amend those receiving their assets (beneficiaries). </font></p><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><p>To learn more about wills and trusts, come attend one of our free wills and trusts estate planning workshops,<font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> <a href="index.php?view=article&catid=26%3Aliving-wills-and-trust&id=75%3Afree-estate-planning-workshops&option=com_content&Itemid=25">click here to learn more</a>. </font></p><p><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Or, you can call our offices at (619) 737-9159 to schedule a free consultation.</font></p></font> 2008-04-24T17:10:15Z 2008-04-24T17:10:15Z /Living-Wills-and-Trusts/My-spouse-and-I-feel-that-we-have-planned-for-death-as-we-hold-everything-in-joint-tenancy.-Are-we-going-to-avoid-probate.html

<p><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">No, if you die, you’re spouse will own everything you own. And if your spouse dies, you will own everything they own. But, the problem arises when the last of you dies. Then, you can expect a probate as “joint tenancy” only puts off the reality of probate. A trust is the only way to avoid probate. Probate is espensive and takes a long time.<br /><br /></font><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">To learn more about wills and trusts, come attend one of our free wills and trusts estate planning workshops,<font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> <a href="index.php?view=article&catid=26%3Aliving-wills-and-trust&id=75%3Afree-estate-planning-workshops&option=com_content&Itemid=25">click here to learn more</a>. </font></font></font></p><p><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Or, you can call our offices at (619) 737-9159 to schedule a free consultation.</font></font></font></p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">No, if you die, you’re spouse will own everything you own. And if your spouse dies, you will own everything they own. But, the problem arises when the last of you dies. Then, you can expect a probate as “joint tenancy” only puts off the reality of probate. A trust is the only way to avoid probate. Probate is espensive and takes a long time.<br /><br /></font><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">To learn more about wills and trusts, come attend one of our free wills and trusts estate planning workshops,<font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> <a href="index.php?view=article&catid=26%3Aliving-wills-and-trust&id=75%3Afree-estate-planning-workshops&option=com_content&Itemid=25">click here to learn more</a>. </font></font></font></p><p><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Or, you can call our offices at (619) 737-9159 to schedule a free consultation.</font></font></font></p><p>&nbsp;</p> 2008-04-24T17:07:32Z 2008-04-24T17:07:32Z /Living-Wills-and-Trusts/i-have-heard-about-something-called-the-death-tax-is-there-any-way-to-avoid-it.html

<p><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Yes, in fact there are many ways to avoid or reduce the death tax. If you live in California, the best way to avoid the death tax is through a trust. For example, if you are married you can double the $1,500,000 exemption, although few take advantage of this method.</font></p><p><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">To learn more about wills and trusts, come attend one of our free wills and trusts estate planning workshops,<font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> <a href="index.php?view=article&catid=26%3Aliving-wills-and-trust&id=75%3Afree-estate-planning-workshops&option=com_content&Itemid=25">click here to learn more</a>. </font></font></font></p><p><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Or, you can call our offices at (619) 737-9159 to schedule a free consultation.</font></font></font></p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Yes, in fact there are many ways to avoid or reduce the death tax. If you live in California, the best way to avoid the death tax is through a trust. For example, if you are married you can double the $1,500,000 exemption, although few take advantage of this method.</font></p><p><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">To learn more about wills and trusts, come attend one of our free wills and trusts estate planning workshops,<font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> <a href="index.php?view=article&catid=26%3Aliving-wills-and-trust&id=75%3Afree-estate-planning-workshops&option=com_content&Itemid=25">click here to learn more</a>. </font></font></font></p><p><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Or, you can call our offices at (619) 737-9159 to schedule a free consultation.</font></font></font></p><p>&nbsp;</p> 2008-04-24T17:06:26Z 2008-04-24T17:06:26Z /Living-Wills-and-Trusts/if-i-already-have-a-will-why-would-i-also-need-a-trust.html

<p><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Although you’ve done some planning, your will must be “probated”. Probate is a formal public procedure of the Superior Court and most probates take about two years. Anyone has the ability to pull your probate file and find out all about you, seeing what you own, owe and whom will be receiving your estate after probate. In addition, during this time your estate will be frozen. Trusts save your loved ones from this difficult hassle, as trusts do not go through probate.</font></p><p><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">To learn more about wills and trusts, come attend one of our free wills and trusts estate planning workshops,<font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> <a href="index.php?view=article&catid=26%3Aliving-wills-and-trust&id=75%3Afree-estate-planning-workshops&option=com_content&Itemid=25">click here to learn more</a>. </font></font></font></font></p><p><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Or, you can call our offices at (619) 737-9159 to schedule a free consultation.</font></font></font></p>

<p><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Although you’ve done some planning, your will must be “probated”. Probate is a formal public procedure of the Superior Court and most probates take about two years. Anyone has the ability to pull your probate file and find out all about you, seeing what you own, owe and whom will be receiving your estate after probate. In addition, during this time your estate will be frozen. Trusts save your loved ones from this difficult hassle, as trusts do not go through probate.</font></p><p><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">To learn more about wills and trusts, come attend one of our free wills and trusts estate planning workshops,<font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> <a href="index.php?view=article&catid=26%3Aliving-wills-and-trust&id=75%3Afree-estate-planning-workshops&option=com_content&Itemid=25">click here to learn more</a>. </font></font></font></font></p><p><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Or, you can call our offices at (619) 737-9159 to schedule a free consultation.</font></font></font></p> 2008-04-24T17:04:17Z 2008-04-24T17:04:17Z /Living-Wills-and-Trusts/why-would-i-even-consider-having-a-will-and-trust-in-place-at-all.html

<p><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">It is critical to prepare the proper estate planning documents to save your family thousands of dollars in probate fees, as well as provide quick, easy distribution of your assets the way you want them distributed, not the way the State of California wants them distributed. <br /><br /></font><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">To learn more about wills and trusts, come attend one of our free wills and trusts estate planning workshops,<font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> <a href="index.php?view=article&catid=26%3Aliving-wills-and-trust&id=75%3Afree-estate-planning-workshops&option=com_content&Itemid=25">click here to learn more</a>. </font></font></font></p><p><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Or, you can call our offices at (619) 737-9159 to schedule a free consultation.</font></font></font></p>

<p><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">It is critical to prepare the proper estate planning documents to save your family thousands of dollars in probate fees, as well as provide quick, easy distribution of your assets the way you want them distributed, not the way the State of California wants them distributed. <br /><br /></font><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">To learn more about wills and trusts, come attend one of our free wills and trusts estate planning workshops,<font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> <a href="index.php?view=article&catid=26%3Aliving-wills-and-trust&id=75%3Afree-estate-planning-workshops&option=com_content&Itemid=25">click here to learn more</a>. </font></font></font></p><p><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Or, you can call our offices at (619) 737-9159 to schedule a free consultation.</font></font></font></p> 2008-04-24T16:57:47Z 2008-04-24T16:57:47Z /Living-Wills-and-Trusts/how-do-i-avoid-the-high-costs-of-probate.html

<p><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Probate is necessary when an individual dies without the proper estate planning documents and his/her assets exceeds $100,000. The cost for probating an estate is based on the estate’s gross asset value, which generally means including all that you own, but nothing that you owe. For example, if you own a home worth $800,00 with a $790,000 mortgage, the gross asset value is $800,000. <br /><br />Please find below a helpful chart that shows the minimum probate fees as set by California law relative to the estate’s gross asset value. These fees to settle an estate in court do not include special fees for the sale of assets, tax preparation, and litigation.</font></p><p>&nbsp;</p><div align="center"><table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border: medium none ; border-collapse: collapse"><tbody><tr><td width="206" valign="top" style="border: 1px solid windowtext; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 154.2pt; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><h2><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 12px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Gross Asset Value </font></h2><p style="text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="times new roman,times"><strong style="font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">of Entire Estate</strong></font></p></td><td width="213" valign="top" style="border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><p style="text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="times new roman,times"><strong><span style="font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Minimum Probate Fees WITHOUT</span></strong><strong style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> </strong></font></p><p style="text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="times new roman,times"><strong style="font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Proper Estate Planning</strong></font></p></td><td width="182" valign="top" style="border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; font-size: 12px; width: 1.9in; font-style: normal; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><p style="text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="times new roman,times"><strong style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Probate Fees </strong></font></p><p style="text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="times new roman,times"><strong style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">WITH </strong></font></p><p style="text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="times new roman,times"><strong style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Proper Estate Planning</strong></font></p></td></tr><tr><td width="206" valign="top" style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 154.2pt"><p style="text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="times new roman,times">$400,000</font></p></td><td width="213" valign="top" style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt"><p style="text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="times new roman,times">$22,000*</font></p></td><td width="182" valign="top" style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.9in"><p style="text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="times new roman,times">$0</font></p></td></tr><tr><td width="206" valign="top" style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 154.2pt"><p style="text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="times new roman,times">$500,000</font></p></td><td width="213" valign="top" style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt"><p style="text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="times new roman,times">$26,000*</font></p></td><td width="182" valign="top" style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.9in"><p style="text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="times new roman,times">$0</font></p></td></tr><tr><td width="206" valign="top" style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 154.2pt"><p style="text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="times new roman,times">$750,000</font></p></td><td width="213" valign="top" style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt"><p style="text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="times new roman,times">$36,000*</font></p></td><td width="182" valign="top" style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.9in"><p style="text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="times new roman,times">$0</font></p></td></tr><tr><td width="206" valign="top" style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 154.2pt"><p style="text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="times new roman,times">$1,000,000</font></p></td><td width="213" valign="top" style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt"><p style="text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="times new roman,times">$46,000*</font></p></td><td width="182" valign="top" style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.9in"><p style="text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="times new roman,times">$0</font></p></td></tr><tr><td width="206" valign="top" style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 154.2pt"><p style="text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="times new roman,times">$2,000,000</font></p></td><td width="213" valign="top" style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt"><p style="text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="times new roman,times">$66,000*</font></p></td><td width="182" valign="top" style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.9in"><p style="text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="times new roman,times">$0</font></p></td></tr><tr><td width="206" valign="top" style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 154.2pt"><p style="text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="times new roman,times">$3,000,000</font></p></td><td width="213" valign="top" style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt"><p style="line-height: 0.45pt; text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center">&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="times new roman,times">$86,000*</font></p></td><td width="182" valign="top" style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.9in"><p style="line-height: 0.45pt; text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center">&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="times new roman,times">$0</font></p></td></tr><tr><td width="206" valign="top" style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 154.2pt"><p style="line-height: 0.45pt" class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="times new roman,times">$4,000,000</font></p></td><td width="213" valign="top" style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt"><p style="line-height: 0.45pt; text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center">&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="times new roman,times">$106,000*</font></p></td><td width="182" valign="top" style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.9in"><p style="line-height: 0.45pt; text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center">&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="times new roman,times">$0</font></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p>&nbsp;</p><p><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">To learn more about wills and trusts, come attend one of our free wills and trusts estate planning workshops,<font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> <a href="index.php?view=article&catid=26%3Aliving-wills-and-trust&id=75%3Afree-estate-planning-workshops&option=com_content&Itemid=25">click here to learn more</a>. </font></font></p><p><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Or, you can call our offices at (619) 737-9159 to schedule a free consultation.</font></font></p><p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p>

<p><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Probate is necessary when an individual dies without the proper estate planning documents and his/her assets exceeds $100,000. The cost for probating an estate is based on the estate’s gross asset value, which generally means including all that you own, but nothing that you owe. For example, if you own a home worth $800,00 with a $790,000 mortgage, the gross asset value is $800,000. <br /><br />Please find below a helpful chart that shows the minimum probate fees as set by California law relative to the estate’s gross asset value. These fees to settle an estate in court do not include special fees for the sale of assets, tax preparation, and litigation.</font></p><p>&nbsp;</p><div align="center"><table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border: medium none ; border-collapse: collapse"><tbody><tr><td width="206" valign="top" style="border: 1px solid windowtext; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 154.2pt; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><h2><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 12px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Gross Asset Value </font></h2><p style="text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="times new roman,times"><strong style="font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">of Entire Estate</strong></font></p></td><td width="213" valign="top" style="border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><p style="text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="times new roman,times"><strong><span style="font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Minimum Probate Fees WITHOUT</span></strong><strong style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> </strong></font></p><p style="text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="times new roman,times"><strong style="font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Proper Estate Planning</strong></font></p></td><td width="182" valign="top" style="border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; font-size: 12px; width: 1.9in; font-style: normal; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><p style="text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="times new roman,times"><strong style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Probate Fees </strong></font></p><p style="text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="times new roman,times"><strong style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">WITH </strong></font></p><p style="text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="times new roman,times"><strong style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Proper Estate Planning</strong></font></p></td></tr><tr><td width="206" valign="top" style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 154.2pt"><p style="text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="times new roman,times">$400,000</font></p></td><td width="213" valign="top" style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt"><p style="text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="times new roman,times">$22,000*</font></p></td><td width="182" valign="top" style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.9in"><p style="text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="times new roman,times">$0</font></p></td></tr><tr><td width="206" valign="top" style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 154.2pt"><p style="text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="times new roman,times">$500,000</font></p></td><td width="213" valign="top" style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt"><p style="text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="times new roman,times">$26,000*</font></p></td><td width="182" valign="top" style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.9in"><p style="text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="times new roman,times">$0</font></p></td></tr><tr><td width="206" valign="top" style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 154.2pt"><p style="text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="times new roman,times">$750,000</font></p></td><td width="213" valign="top" style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt"><p style="text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="times new roman,times">$36,000*</font></p></td><td width="182" valign="top" style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.9in"><p style="text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="times new roman,times">$0</font></p></td></tr><tr><td width="206" valign="top" style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 154.2pt"><p style="text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="times new roman,times">$1,000,000</font></p></td><td width="213" valign="top" style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt"><p style="text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="times new roman,times">$46,000*</font></p></td><td width="182" valign="top" style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.9in"><p style="text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="times new roman,times">$0</font></p></td></tr><tr><td width="206" valign="top" style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 154.2pt"><p style="text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="times new roman,times">$2,000,000</font></p></td><td width="213" valign="top" style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt"><p style="text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="times new roman,times">$66,000*</font></p></td><td width="182" valign="top" style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.9in"><p style="text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="times new roman,times">$0</font></p></td></tr><tr><td width="206" valign="top" style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 154.2pt"><p style="text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="times new roman,times">$3,000,000</font></p></td><td width="213" valign="top" style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt"><p style="line-height: 0.45pt; text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center">&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="times new roman,times">$86,000*</font></p></td><td width="182" valign="top" style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.9in"><p style="line-height: 0.45pt; text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center">&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="times new roman,times">$0</font></p></td></tr><tr><td width="206" valign="top" style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 154.2pt"><p style="line-height: 0.45pt" class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="times new roman,times">$4,000,000</font></p></td><td width="213" valign="top" style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt"><p style="line-height: 0.45pt; text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center">&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="times new roman,times">$106,000*</font></p></td><td width="182" valign="top" style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.9in"><p style="line-height: 0.45pt; text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center">&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="times new roman,times">$0</font></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p>&nbsp;</p><p><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">To learn more about wills and trusts, come attend one of our free wills and trusts estate planning workshops,<font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> <a href="index.php?view=article&catid=26%3Aliving-wills-and-trust&id=75%3Afree-estate-planning-workshops&option=com_content&Itemid=25">click here to learn more</a>. </font></font></p><p><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><font face="times new roman,times" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Or, you can call our offices at (619) 737-9159 to schedule a free consultation.</font></font></p><p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p>