San Mateo County is rich in wildlife, parks and trails, and many other natural amenities. It’s also home to a number of technology-related companies and historic sites. Individuals and families who have decided to make their home in San Mateo County understand that planning for the future takes skilled and experienced legal counsel. That’s why San Mateo residents count on Loew Law Group, PLC. Let us serve your probate, trust and estate planning, and civil litigation needs today.
What Does Sound Estate Planning Look Like In San Mateo?
No one knows what tomorrow will bring, but you can anticipate it with smart estate planning. The first step on that path is the last will and testament, sometimes simply called a will. The will dictates who will inherit your property and pay your debts and other final expenses after you pass away. A knowledgeable attorney can review your assets and liabilities, discuss your estate planning goals, and draft a will that helps match them.
It’s also a good idea to ask your lawyer about trusts. Contrary to popular belief, trusts are not just for the super wealthy. Anyone can use a trust to not only handle complex assets but to accomplish other objectives like minimizing estate taxes, providing for their family’s long-term needs, and avoiding the expensive and time-consuming probate process. Two specific types of trusts you should talk to your attorney about are revocable and irrevocable trusts.
If you’re a business owner, you may have questions about what could happen to your company if you were to suddenly pass away or become incapacitated. Who will run your business? How will your employees be paid? What about your monthly expenses like a mortgage? A business succession plan may be an option.
You also deserve to control what happens to you if you’re suddenly hospitalized and can’t make any decisions for yourself. Your health and personal finances are too important to be left to chance. That’s why you should consider three additional legal documents: a living will, a durable power of attorney, and an advance medical directive. These legal instruments can be used to designate a reliable individual who can take care of medical, financial, and other personal issues if you are unable to.
Lastly, you may have a relative who has begun to show signs of cognitive or physical limitations. Whether because of old age, an injury, or a disease, your concern is how best to care for your loved one. We can talk to you about whether a conservatorship can help.
Representing You In Civil Litigation In San Mateo
Wills, trusts, and other estate documents can prevent family disputes about what happens to property and other assets after someone’s death. But even the most well-drafted legal documents can’t guarantee that there won’t be a lawsuit. Family members who feel they were wrongfully excluded from a will or trust, or that they didn’t get what they deserve, may file a lawsuit. Beneficiaries may have concerns over the behavior of a trustee or executor, and want to know what their legal rights are.
Civil litigation frequently erupts over estate plans, and whether you’re the plaintiff or defendant you need dedicated legal counsel to advocate for you. These are some of the claims that you might be alleging, or which may be alleged against you:
- Undue influence that affected the terms of a will or trust
- Executor mismanagement or misuse of estate or trust assets
- Charges that a fiduciary has violated his or her duties
- Being wrongfully denied an inheritance
Hiring an attorney is not something to take lightly, so you need someone who understands the law and is dedicated to standing up for you in court. Our civil litigation practice can help minimize the anxiety and cost that typically accompany lawsuits. We work to speedily resolve issues where possible through mediation and out-of-court negotiations. If you’re a plaintiff or defendant in a civil litigation matter, count on Loew Law Group, PLC.
Challenges Of Administering A Trust
Trustees play a critical role in managing trust assets, and they have to do so with the utmost care. As a trustee, the law views you as a fiduciary. That means you owe certain legal obligations to the trust and to its beneficiaries. For example, you are required to follow the instructions of the trust, put the interests of the beneficiaries ahead of your own, and maintain accurate and detailed records at all times.
Meeting these obligations can be overwhelming. But our team is here to work with you to ensure the trust is properly administered. We will review your obligations under the law and assist you in administering and ultimately closing the trust.
Preventing Elder Abuse
Con artists, thieves, and other scammers routinely target the elderly simply because they view them as vulnerable. Identity theft, telemarketing fraud, email phishing, and plenty of other schemes are out there. Not all abusers are strangers, either; many instances of elder abuse are perpetrated by family members looking to rip off an older relative.
You can take legal action to prevent elder abuse and hold the abuser liable. Let us show you how.
Assisting You With Probate
Most California estates are settled by a process known as probate. While many estate plans can be designed to avoid this expensive step, not all can. Loew Law Group assists executors, administrators, and personal representatives with probate. We know you’ve got questions, and that’s why we’re here to help each step of the way.
Contact Our San Mateo County Probate, Trust and Estate Planning, and Civil Litigation Attorney
Estate planning is a broad practice area that covers everything from drafting plans to taking legal action in court to providing administrative assistance. Regardless of your specific legal needs, you can trust us to serve you with a commitment to professionalism and your best interests. Schedule your consultation with Loew Law Group, PLC, today.