Estate Planning & Probate

Chula Vista Estate Planning and Probate Lawyers

Giving Your Loved Ones a Plan

man and woman reviewing estate plan with lawyerBuilding an effective estate plan is essential to protecting your and your loved ones’ futures. Who will receive your property after you pass away?

Who will take care of your children? Who will work to ensure your wishes are honored, and what will happen if you become so ill you cannot advocate for yourself? Properly validated estate planning documents provide legally enforceable answers to all of these questions, protecting your interests and giving you peace of mind.

Our Chula Vista estate planning lawyers at The Sexton Law Firm can help you plan for your future. We can listen to your goals and guide you through innovative legal solutions that can help accomplish them. We are also experienced probate attorneys.

Start building your estate plan by calling (619) 202-8976 or contacting us online.

On This Page:

Why Do I Need an Estate Plan?

Many mistakenly believe that estate planning should only be considered as you grow older. The truth is that people of all ages benefit from a robust estate plan, as an accident could render you unable to communicate at basically any time.

Taking the proactive step of preparing what you wish to happen in a variety of scenarios – including your passing – can work to protect your and your loved ones’ interests and avoid unnecessary hardship.

The benefits of having an estate plan include:

  • Control who inherits your assets: When someone fails to create an estate plan, they lose control of what happens to them and their property once they become incapacitated or pass away. Those who die without a valid last will and testament in place will have their property become subject to intestacy laws. Assets will be divided proportionally amongst a surviving spouse, children, parents, and/or siblings. You will have no say in who gets what, and you will also have no input in who will take guardianship of your minor children.
  • Avoid costly and time-consuming probate: Contents of your will are a matter of public record, and disputes can often erupt when loved ones are frustrated about the document’s directives. This can lead to protracted conflicts in probate, delaying the disbursement of funds or assets and placing an additional burden on your already grieving family. You can use trusts to shield property from the probate process and avoid costly and exhausting legal battles.
  • Dictate care for yourself and loved ones: You can set up documents that can help you designate a power of attorney to make decisions on your behalf, medical decisions in the event you are incapacitated, and provide instructions on who will care for your young children.

Make sure that you have a full suite of estate planning documents that provide the most possible protections for you, your assets, and your loved ones. Our attorneys can guide you through the documents you need to achieve your goals and help ensure that the documents are legally enforceable.

Our Estate Planning Services

Our firm offers a full range of estate planning services. We are prepared to help you plan for what will happen to your and your assets after you are gone as well as ensure your interests are protected while you are alive.

Our Chula Vista estate planning and probate attorneys can help you with:

  • Wills. A last will and testament allows you to appoint a personal representative to manage your estate, designate a guardian to care for your minor children, and name beneficiaries to your property. Wills must be properly formalized, and its contents can be subject to probate. We can help you draft, update, and validate your will.
  • Trusts. Trusts are a powerful and flexible instrument of estate planning. They come in several forms and confer numerous benefits, including the avoidance of some estate taxes and probate, enhanced privacy, increased control and protection. We can help you explore trust options that suit your estate planning goals and incorporate them into a broader estate plan.
  • Guardianship. Guardianships are established when a minor child is without parents who are able to care for them. Adults with disabilities can also sometimes warrant guardianships. We can help you petition for guardianship and ensure you obtain the legal permissions you need to properly care for your loved one and their interests.
  • Powers of Attorney. Medical and financial powers of attorney can be appointed to take action on your behalf in situations where you become incapacitated or unable to communicate. You can determine the scope of a power of attorney’s responsibilities and guide critical medical decisions through advanced healthcare directives. We can help you select appropriate powers of attorney and file the appropriate documents to make your appointments official.
  • Special Needs Trusts. Individuals with special needs require tailored estate planning tools that provide them with security and support without disqualifying them for public disability benefits. We can help you explore and establish special needs trusts.

Let Us Help Protect Your Interests

Our Chula Vista estate planning and probate lawyers at The Sexton Law Firm have substantial experience helping individuals and families prepare for their futures. We understand how effective estate plans are built and can help you avoid common mistakes, including those that can result in extended probate conflicts.

Our team can also evaluate any existing estate planning documents to identify potential vulnerabilities and recommend any necessary updates.

Call (619) 202-8976 or contact us online to discuss your estate planning goals in a free consultation.

Why Hire The Sexton Law Firm?

  • We Listen to Your Story and Create a Strategy to Achieve Your Goals
  • With offices in Chula Vista, Oceanside, and La Mesa, we serve clients throughout all of Southern California
  • We Offer Free Consultations - Regardless of the Legal Matter
  • We Offer Phone and Video Consultations For Your Safety and Convenience
  • We Are Bilingual and Serve Our Clients in English and Spanish
  • We Are a Family Owned and Operated Law Firm
Attorneys Dedicated to Protecting Your Legal Rights

Awards & Accolades

/

5 Star Reviews

Learn Why Clients Trust Us
    They gave me outstanding service!

    “Andrew and his staff at James Sexton law firm are very courteous and professional when handling my bankruptcy. I was a little nervous going into this but came out feeling unstressed. I was given a ...”

    - Michael Harkiewicz
    From the very beginning, they were professional and very efficient in dealing with my case.

    “I was in a car accident back in July and got rear-ended because some guy was rushing on his way to work, you would think the guy would want to save more time by not filling out a police report and ...”

    - Jen Miller
    He allowed me to vent, responded accordingly, and return my text message as if we were friends.

    “Through this very difficult period in my life, I reached out to the Legal Aid Society and they assigned a Lawyer to assist me in filing for bankruptcy protection. Andrew Sexton took the time to speak ...”

    - Brian Powell
    I would highly recommend this law firm for anyone needing help!

    “The Sexton Law Firm was very helpful during the entire process. Andrew was very helpful and knowledgeable. However, Asia was the most helpful. She answered all my questions and relieved my worries ...”

    - Ginger Russ
    His council was well received, and it was honest.

    “I was referred to Mr. Andrew Sexton at a time of great need, confusion, and embarrassment. His council was well received, and it was honest, offered clarity, and calmed four shoulders worth of ...”

    - Chris Myers
/

Contact the Sexton Law Firm for a Free Consultation

Se Habla Español
  • Please enter your first name.
  • Please enter your last name.
  • Please enter your phone number.
    This isn't a valid phone number.
  • Please enter your email address.
    This isn't a valid email address.
  • Please make a selection.
  • Please enter a message.