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ESTATE PLANNING OVERVIEW living trust, revocable trust, will, trust

A People’s Choice can save you hundreds of dollars by preparing your estate planning documents instead of an expensive attorney!

Estate Planning Learning Center
Our online learning center provides quick access to valuable information contained in our web site, California and Federal Codes, Court web sites and other legal sources of information.

Creating Your Estate Planning Documents Using our Self-help Services: Before you actually start to prepare your estate planning documents, you need to know how they work and how each document fits in with your overall estate plan. Keep in mind that creating your estate planning documents has long-term consequences for your family. There is no “standard” living trust and therefore, it is not required that trusts be written in “legalese” (language that is peculiar to the legal profession). Although no legalese is mandated, it is prudent to utilize forms that are sufficiently traditional and, if necessary, comply with current statutes. You can easily create your estate planning documentation, in most cases, with the assistance of a registered Legal Document Assistant, that utilizes the latest and most up-to-date self-help software. Doing so, however, necessitates you educate yourself about your options so that you can make well-informed decisions.

Planning Your Estate: Estate planning is the process of considering all alternatives regarding:

1. How to avoid probate
2. How your assets will be managed for your benefit if you are unable to do so
3. When certain assets will be transferred to others, either during your lifetime, at your death, or sometime after your death
4. To whom those assets will pass
5. Establishing arrangements that will meet your objectives if something happens to you or those you care about

Estate planning typically minimizes potential estate taxes and fees, establishes contingency plans regarding your healthcare treatment and management of finances if you become incapacitated, itemizes how you want your property distributed when you die as well as provides for the care of your minor or disabled children. You should have an estate plan if:

1. You are the parent of a minor or disabled child.
2. You have property that you care about.
3. You care about your health care treatment.

A comprehensive estate plan is important to accomplish you estate planning goals. In starting to consider you estate plan, you should ask yourself the following questions:

1. What are my assets, and what is their approximate value?
2. Whom do I want to receive those assets and when?
3. Who should manage those assets if I cannot, either during my lifetime or after my death?
4. Who should have responsibility for the care of my minor children if I become incapacitated or die?
5. If I cannot take care of myself, who should make decisions on my behalf concerning my care and welfare?

Basic estate planning goals may be accomplished with an estate plan consisting of:

1. Will
2. Durable Power of Attorney for Finances
3. Advance Health Care Directive

If your needs require more, your estate plan may also include a Revocable Living Trust.

Beware of Financial and Estate Planning Services: There are many who call themselves “Trust Specialists,” or “Certified Planners” or other titles which are intended to suggest that the person has received advanced training in estate planning. California is experiencing an explosion of promotions by unqualified individuals and entities which have only one real goal –- to gain access to your finances in order to sell insurance-based products such as annuities and other commission-based product. Here are some helpful hints and suggestions:

1. Before considering a living trust or any other estate or financial planning document or service, consult with a lawyer or other financial advisor who is knowledgeable in estate planning, and who is not trying to sell a product which may be unnecessary.
2. Always ask for time to consider and reflect on your decision. Do not allow yourself to be pressured into purchasing any estate or financial planning product.
3. Be wary of home solicitors who insist on receiving confidential and detailed information about your assets and finances.
4. Report high-pressure tactics, misrepresentations or fraud to the police immediately.
5. Know your cancellation rights. California law requires that sellers who come to your home to sell goods and services (not including insurance and annuities) that cost more than $25 must give you two copies of a notice of cancellation form to cancel your agreement. You, the buyer, may cancel this transaction at any time prior to midnight of the third business day after the date of the transaction.

A People’s Choice can save you hundreds of dollars by preparing your estate planning documents instead of an expensive attorney!

Our overall rating from
 our customers is:

Rated “A+”
the Better Business Bureau

Comments from our customers:

“We had a wonderful experience at A People's Choice. Due to my wife's health, we had procrastinated for some time doing new wills, etc. Everything was professional and prompt. Most importantly, we immediately felt comfortable and confident in resolving the legal issues. Our appointment was on time and our requests and information were handled in a timely and professional matter. Also, after inspecting and reviewing the completed documents, there was no doubt regarding the authenticity. Any and all of my future legal needs will be handled by A People's Choice.”
B. Smith, Camarillo, CA

“It is a great alternative to hiring an attorney for lots of matters that you can easily do yourself. They provide information that you need to help yourself, and keep all of the paperwork straight.”
SM, CA

“I am very happy with the service I received. A People's Choice was prompt, professional, and very friendly. They had all the documents I asked for prepared very quickly, and very thoroughly, and exactly as I requested. Consider me a very satisfied customer.”
Havdog. CA

Important Disclaimer About Our Services

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A People’s Choice is a Registered Legal Document Assistant’s Office.
We are not attorneys and cannot select legal forms.
Reg. LDA #5, Ventura Co., Exp. 11/30/2014

Information provided through this site has been taken from self-help informational publications provided by the Court or other legal sources believed to be reliable. This information is general, published, factual information and should not be cited on or relied on as legal authority nor should it be considered legal advice. It is always recommended that you seek legal advice from an attorney before filing any legal proceedings. Many attorneys offer free consultations

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