Knowledgeable Santa Ana, California Estate Planning Attorneys
Taking Steps Today to Plan for Tomorrow
Regardless of age or amount of assets owned, everyone should consider having an estate plan. Making plans today regarding how your assets will be distributed after you pass, or how your medical and financial decision will be made should you become incapacitated, gives you and your family the peace of mind of knowing that your wishes will be carried out the way you want. For assistance with estate planning, please contact our law office to schedule a free initial consultation.
At Jerome D. Stark, P.C., we help people every day throughout Orange County understand their estate planning options and identify the solutions that best fit their specific needs and goals. Our clients are often interested in ways to minimize the impact of the estate tax law, fees associated with estate administration, and to avoid time and expense of the probate process.
We help our clients prepare various instruments as part of their estate plan including:
- Wills
- Trusts
- Deeds for property transfer
- Powers of attorney
- Heath care directives
- Living wills
Probate
After a loved one has died, their estate needs to be administered. We work closely with clients involved in probate, the legal process for proving a will, distributing assets and real property, and addressing any remaining debts. We provide skilled and conscientious guidance to executors on how to fulfill their duties. We will file the necessary papers to open and administer the estate properly.
Conservatorships
As part of our probate practice, we also work with clients whose parents or loved ones are no longer in a position to care for themselves of their finances. In such an instance, establishing a conservatorship of the person (which addresses health care and living arrangements), a conservatorship of the estate (which address financial decisions), or both, may be in order. We will represent your best interests at every step of the process, including:
- Filing the petition with the Probate Court and following through to the appointment of the conservator
- Working with the court-appointed counsel for the conservatee
- Coordinating efforts between involved parties
- Filing necessary paperwork and reports for the court and court-appointed attorney
Probate Litigation
We also handle litigation that results from the probate administration and conservatorship processes. Will disputes often involve allegations of undue influence or fraud, ambiguities in will drafting or execution, and competing claims to the estate including creditors and third-parties. Common conflicts in conservatorships include arguments between family members over the care of the conservatee and disagreements over who should be appointed conservator.
To speak with an experienced lawyer about your estate planning, probate administration or probate litigation issue, call us at 714-558-8014 or contact us online to arrange a free initial consultation.
Our office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and we offer evening and weekend hours by appointment. Consultations at your business, home or property are also available. We accept all major credit cards.
We are located near the Main Place Shopping Center, close to the Orange County, federal and 4th District Court of Appeals courthouses.
Jerome D. Stark, P.C.
2700 North Main Street, Suite 630
Santa Ana, CA 92705
Telephone: 714-558-8014
Toll-free: 877-249-5997
Fax: 714-288-1021
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