San Mateo Estate Planning Attorney


From Jeffrey’s interview for the Masters of Estates & Probate series on ReelLawyers.com

Although many people think that estate planning is simply about providing for their loved ones, there are many other objectives to consider. From avoiding probate to minimizing estate taxes, planning for incapacity, or providing for a loved one with special needs, the best decision you can make to preserve your wealth is to consult an experienced estate planning attorney.

Loew Law Group, PLC, provides comprehensive estate planning services to clients in San Mateo and San Mateo County. We have a well-earned reputation for providing our clients with proven strategies to protect, hold and transfer their wealth. Certified as a Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law by the State Bar of California’s Board of Legal Specialization, founding attorney Jeffrey R. Loew is highly regarded for helping individuals, couples and families meet their estate planning needs and wealth transfer objectives. When you work with our legal team, you will have peace of mind knowing that your interests and loved ones will be protected.

Young adviser explaining legal document to client in his office

The Benefits of Estate Planning

A well-designed estate plan takes into consideration important objectives such as:

  • Avoiding Probate — While a will is one way to plan for the distribution of your assets, it must be probated; probate is a court-supervised process that is lengthy, costly and open to the public. We advise clients on the advantages of trusts as a means of avoiding probate, and for tax planning and asset protection.
  • Providing for Minor Children — A will is the only way to designate a guardian to provide for the the upbringing, financial and medical needs of your children if you become incapacitated.  To avoid probate, we recommend that you execute a living trust along with your will.
  • Planning for Incapacity — If you are unable to speak for yourself due to temporary or permanent incapacity, it is crucial to designate trusted individuals to manage your personal and financial affairs and make health care decisions on your behalf according to your preferences.

Loew Law Group, PLC is dedicated to understanding your unique circumstances and tailoring an estate plan to best suits your needs. While some clients may only require a will-based estate plan, we provide advice and guidance on a variety of estate planning tools, including:

  • Revocable Living Trust — A properly structured living trust allows you to continue managing the trust assets during your lifetime, plan for incapacity, and provide instructions for the distribution of your assets after you pass away. Because the trust takes ownership of property that is transferred into the trust, the probate process can be avoided, which can save time, money and maintain the privacy of the financial arrangements.
  • Last Will and Testament — While execution of a trust helps avoid the cost and delay of probate proceedings, we also prepare a will for you to execute along with your trust.  This simply “pour-over” will serves two primary purposes: (1) to name guardians for your children, if necessary, and (2) to ensure that if any assets are inadvertently left out of your trust, a court will have the power to transfer those assets into your trust after your death.
  • Irrevocable Trust — This estate planning tool can help you achieve a number of objectives such as providing for a loved one with special needs, long-term care planning (Medi-Cal trusts), charitable giving, avoiding estate taxes and asset protection.
  • Durable Power of Attorney — This document allows you to designate a trusted person to handle your personal and business affairs in the event you become incapacitated, such as managing bank and investment accounts, and paying debts or household expenses.
  • Advance Medical Directive — Also referred to as a Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare (or health care proxy), this estate planning tools designates an agent to make decisions about the medical treatment you should receive in the event of incapacity, according to your preferences.
  • Living Will — This document is another type of advance directive that conveys the type of life preserving or end of life medical care you wish to receive or have withheld if you become incapacitated.
  • Conservatorship — It may be necessary to establish a conservatorship to protect a loved one who is incapable of caring for him or herself due to his or her advanced age, a catastrophic injury, incapacitating physical illness or psychiatric disorder.

Ultimately, establishing an estate plan is the responsible way to provide for your loved ones and preserve your wealth. Without an estate plan, the probate court will intervene to make decisions about the distribution of your assets according to the intestacy laws of California. Our mission is to help create an well-conceived estate plan that achieves all of your personal and financial objectives.

Contact Our San Mateo Estate Planning Lawyer

As estate planners and trust administration advisors, Loew Law Group, PLC, is dedicated to protecting our clients interests and helping them achieve their wealth transfer objectives. Unlike other estate planning providers, we believe there is no one size fits all plan. Our legal team will take the time to understand your circumstances, explain all the wealth preservation tools available to you, and design an estate plan that is tailored to your needs and financial goals.

At the same time, we know that estate planning is not a once and done arrangement. This is why we will provide ongoing counsel and regularly review your estate plan to make sure that it considers changes over the course of your life — marriage, having children, accumulating wealth, and retirement.

At Loew Law Group, we provide estate planning services to clients from all walks of life, including middle income families and high net worth individuals, as well as those with small estates. Above all, our legal team is committed to protecting your interests. Please contact our office today to speak with our estate planners.

Loew Law Group estate planning lawyers serve clients throughout California, including Alameda, Belmont, Burlingame, Contra Costa, Foster City, Hillsborough, Marin County, Redwood City, Santa Clara County, Santa Cruz County, San Francisco County, and San Mateo County.