Practice Areas
Estate Planning – Our Areas of Focus
SERVING FAMILIES & INDIVIDUALS IN LOS ALTOS, PALO ALTO, SUNNYVALE, MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS
Estate Planning Fundamentals
Estate planning tools include wills, revocable living trusts, irrevocable trusts, durable powers of attorney, and health care documents.
International Estate Planning
Complex estate and gift tax rules apply to your estate planning if you are not a U.S. citizen and you own assets in the United States, and vice versa.
Estate Planning for Non-Residents
Non-citizens face onerous, and surprising, federal estate and gift tax laws (even if the non-citizen spouse has a “green card”).
Probate Administration
Probate is the process through which estate assets are transferred after death, other than those that can be transferred outside of a will.
Trust Administration
Charitable Planning
We support the tradition of giving to charitable causes, employing tax-advantaged strategies that maximize the value of your gift.
Estate Tax Planning
Advance legal planning to avoid or minimize federal estate taxes is a critically necessary aspect of comprehensive estate planning.
Estate Planning Fundamentals
Estate planning tools include wills, revocable living trusts, irrevocable trusts, durable powers of attorney, and health care documents.
International Estate Planning
Complex estate and gift tax rules apply to your estate planning if you are not a U.S. citizen and you own assets in the United States, and vice versa.
Estate Planning for Non-Residents
Non-citizens face onerous, and surprising, federal estate and gift tax laws (even if the non-citizen spouse has a “green card”).
Probate Administration
Probate is the process through which estate assets are transferred after death, other than those that can be transferred outside of a will.
Trust Administration
If you are a successor trustee, you have a fiduciary duty to the trust. Find the information you’ll need to get the job done.
Charitable Planning
We support the tradition of giving to charitable causes, employing tax-advantaged strategies that maximize the value of your gift.
Estate Tax Planning
Advance legal planning to avoid or minimize federal estate taxes is a critically necessary aspect of comprehensive estate planning.
What Janet's
Clients Say
I needed someone who understood international laws. Janet made a potentially very complicated process feel easy.
- Marisol
Janet was recommended to me [as] one of the best.
- Nick
Janet's entire practice is devoted to helping me and my family achieve my estate planning goals.
- PK
Janet is right on top of the basics, as well as more complex things that relate to your particular situation.
- Mr. T
I needed someone who understood international laws. Janet made a potentially very complicated process feel easy.
- Marisol
Janet was recommended to me [as] one of the best.
- Nick
Janet's entire practice is devoted to helping me and my family achieve my estate planning goals.
- PK
Janet is right on top of the basics, as well as more complex things that relate to your particular situation.
- Mr. T
An Overview of Estate Planning
Estate planning focuses on the organization and management of an individual’s assets and affairs, especially in anticipation of their passing or incapacitation. The goal of estate planning is to make sure that a person’s family and assets are protected and that their wishes are carried out as intended.
Estate planning primarily involves creating various legal documents, such as wills, trusts, and powers of attorney. The purpose of these documents is to describe how a person’s assets should be distributed, who should make medical or financial decisions on their behalf, how to minimize taxes and avoid potential conflicts among heirs, designate guardians for minors, and set up trusts to provide for their well-being.
An Overview of Probate Administration
Probate administration in California is the legal process that takes place after a person’s death to ensure the proper distribution of their assets and property according to their will or the state’s laws if there is no will. This process aims to settle the deceased person’s financial affairs and provide a clear framework for the transfer of assets to beneficiaries or heirs.
When someone passes away, their estate (which includes real estate, bank accounts, personal property, and more) will enter probate. The court oversees this process to verify the authenticity of the will, pay any outstanding debts or taxes, and distribute the remaining assets to beneficiaries. If the deceased left a valid will, the court will typically follow its instructions. In cases where there is no will, California’s intestate succession laws determine how assets are distributed among family members.
The duration and complexity of probate can vary, but it generally lasts several months to a year or longer. Probate fees vary greatly, as well, depending on whether the deceased person had a comprehensive estate plan, which will significantly reduce the pain — and expense — of probate.
An Overview of Trust Administration in California
Trust administration in California is the management and distribution of assets held in a trust after the trust creator’s death. This legal arrangement aims to streamline asset transfer without the need for probate court. A trustee, typically designated in the trust document, takes on the role of overseeing this process. Their responsibilities include asset identification, debt settlement, tax payments, and asset distribution according to the trust’s instructions. An attorney can be a valuable asset in trust administration, ensuring compliance with California laws and providing legal guidance. Their expertise can help navigate the complexities of trust administration and protect the interests of beneficiaries.
