Heather Reynolds
Attorney-at-law
California Estate Planning
California Estate Planning
& Trust Administration
3 Reasons Why ALL CALIFORNIANS
Need an Estate Plan
1. PROTECT YOUR CHILDREN
The number one goal for most of my clients is to protect their children’s futures. The difference between you having an estate plan and not having one can be monumental for your children. If you don’t use a trust to plan for your untimely death or incapacitation, you will be relying on a probate court judge to make decisions for them.
2. INCAPACITATION
It’s not just about what happens when you die; it’s also about your health care decisions and who handles your finances if you’re incapacitated. If you become incapacitated and don’t have an Advance Healthcare Directive or a Durable Power of Attorney for Finances, your healthcare and financial world will be supervised by the probate court judge for the REST OF YOUR LIFE.
3. AVOID PROBATE COURT
In California, if you own a home or have more than $150,000, your estate WILL end up in Probate if you fail to create and fund a living trust.
Why avoid Probate?
- Probate Is Expensive: It will cost at least $40,000 on a home that is worth $800,000.
- Probate Is Long: Even if everything goes well, your loved ones will be tied up the Probate process for at least a year.
- Probate Is Public: During Probate, your death certificate and all of your assets become public record, leaving you vulnerable to identity theft…which your loved ones would be responsible for cleaning up.
If you like the idea of the State of California making all your important decisions, then don’t create an estate plan.
Now Is the Time to Complete Your Estate Plan!
I am passionate about making sure my client wishes are followed and about avoiding the California court system called “probate.” It’s my job to make the process as easy as possible, so if any barriers stand in your way to completion, we overcome them together. Our goal is to provide you with peace of mind that you, your loved ones and your property will be protected during your lifetime and afterward.
I offer a fee-based consultation for California residents only to identify what you need, what it may cost and see if we’re a ‘good fit.’ I take on families that work well together and have the ability to meet me online (on the computer screen).
You Don’t Have To Be Wealthy or Famous to Set up a Trust
In California, you just need more than $184,500 of assets total (so if you own a home, for example). Do NOT subtract your mortgage or debt when you determine the amount of your estate.
How do you want to protect and provide for your children when you are no longer here?
Authenticity Is Important In Every Aspect of Life
Shouldn’t your estate plan reflect your authentic self too? Why go cookie cutter on something so important? If you already have one –bravo — let’s upgrade it – if not, let’s create it!
“Authenticity is a collection of choices that we have to make every day. It’s about the choice to show up and be real. The choice to be honest. The choice to let our true selves be seen.”
~ Brene Brown
What Clients Are Saying
“Thank you so much for your help with my Mother’s estate. Your competence & kindness made a big difference to me. I’ll must certainly remember you to future needs & referrals.“
– M.L.
“The attorney we are working with, Heather Reynolds, is wonderful- intelligent, well-informed, professional and also very personable and caring. And to top it off, her fees seem to be very reasonable.”
– J.V.
“Thank you so much for your kindness, your words of hope. I sure didn’t expect you to get it all done before surgery. Thank you for making me feel so taken care of.”
– R.H.
“Thank you very much for your time and information. I trust your expertise, and it is a tremendous comfort to know that my husband and I are in such a good hands with you.”
– G.B.
“Thank you so much for helping me to write my Will. I was really appreciative about the whole process — you made it so easy.”
– B.D.
“I wanted to write my own personal thank you note on doing such a great job helping us feel secure about the future of our family.”
– L.A.
Enjoy the Freedom of Choosing Now What Happens to Your Estate in the Future.
Learn how you can use your freedom of choice to create an estate plan that truly represents who you are in life and in death.
As you find your true expression, you’ll want it to continue even after you’re “gone.” It is time to think of the legacy you will leave behind – your unique imprint on this planet.
“Letting go gives us freedom, and freedom is the only condition for happiness. If, in our heart, we still cling to anything – anger, anxiety, or possessions – we cannot be free.”
~ Thich Nhat Hanh