KVASQUEZ LAW is here to help you secure your legacy and provide peace of mind for you and your loved ones. Our wills and estates services focus on creating personalized plans to protect your assets, minimize taxes, and ensure your wishes are carried out. We assist with drafting wills, establishing trusts, and providing guidance on power of attorney and healthcare directives, ensuring all aspects of your estate are carefully managed.
Whether you’re planning for the future or updating an existing plan to reflect changes in your life, our team provides clear, compassionate, and expert advice tailored to your unique needs. Let KVASQUEZ LAW help you take control of your estate planning with confidence, giving you the security and clarity you deserve.
Estate planning involves creating a strategy to manage and distribute your assets during your lifetime and after your death. This includes drafting wills, trusts, power of attorney documents, and healthcare directives to protect your interests and minimize taxes.
You should review your estate plan every 3–5 years or after major life events such as marriage, divorce, childbirth, death of a loved one, or significant financial changes.
A will is a legal document that outlines how your assets should be distributed after your death. It also allows you to appoint an executor to manage your estate and name guardians for minor children. Having a will ensures your wishes are followed and can help avoid disputes among your heirs.
If you die without a will (intestate), state laws determine how your assets are distributed. This may not align with your wishes and can result in lengthy legal proceedings.
Probate is the legal process of validating a will, paying debts and taxes, and distributing the remaining assets to beneficiaries. It is overseen by a probate court and can be time-consuming and costly without proper planning.
Probate timelines vary based on the size and complexity of the estate and whether there are disputes. It can take anywhere from a few months to several years.
A will goes into effect after your death and requires probate, while a trust can take effect during your lifetime and avoid probate. Trusts can also offer more control over how and when your assets are distributed.
It depends on your circumstances. Trusts can provide additional benefits, such as avoiding probate, reducing taxes, and protecting assets for beneficiaries. Schedule a consultation with us to determine what’s best for your situation.
Estate taxes depend on the size of your estate and federal or state laws. Proper estate planning can help minimize or eliminate these taxes.
Gift tax applies to the transfer (“gifting”) of money or property to another person without receiving full value in return. In 2024, the annual exclusion allows you to give up to $17,000 per recipient without incurring gift tax. Gifts exceeding this amount may require filing a gift tax return, but you won’t owe taxes unless your lifetime gifts exceed the federal estate and gift tax exemption ($12.92 million in 2024).
Certain gifts, like those to your spouse or for tuition or medical expenses paid directly to an institution, are exempt from gift tax. Proper planning can help you maximize tax-free gifting opportunities and avoid unnecessary taxes. Consult a professional for personalized guidance.
You can designate a guardian for your minor children in your will. It’s important to discuss your choice with the individual beforehand and ensure they are willing to take on the responsibility. When parents nominate a guardian for their minor children in a will, courts take the nomination seriously but do not guarantee the appointment. The court's primary responsibility is to ensure that the chosen guardian aligns with the best interests of the child.
While the parents' wishes carry significant weight, the court will evaluate factors such as the guardian's ability to provide a stable and supportive environment, their relationship with the child, and their capacity to meet the child's physical, emotional, and financial needs.
If there are objections from other family members, concerns about the nominated guardian's suitability, or evidence that the arrangement may not serve the child's well-being, the court may choose an alternative guardian. Ultimately, the court's goal is to prioritize the child's health, safety, and overall welfare, even if that means diverging from the parents' stated preferences.
If you don’t name a guardian, the court will decide who takes custody of your children, which may not align with your preferences.
Common disputes include claims of undue influence, questions about the will’s validity, disagreements over asset distribution, or accusations of executor mismanagement.
Yes, but you must have legal standing and valid grounds, such as fraud, undue influence, lack of capacity, or improper execution of the will.
Begin by taking inventory of your assets, debts, and beneficiaries. Then consult us to draft a will, establish trusts, and create other necessary documents tailored to your needs.
Costs vary depending on the complexity of your estate and the documents needed. A basic will may cost a few hundred dollars, while a comprehensive estate plan involving trusts can cost significantly more.
While online templates exist, working with a lawyer ensures your documents comply with state laws and address your specific needs, reducing the risk of disputes or invalidation.
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