Getting Started

If you want to make plans for what happens to your estate upon your death to help your family and loved ones avoid expensive and lengthy probate, avoid hardship, misunderstandings and contention or if you want to name a legal guardian for your children then creating a trust now is critical.

I’ve seen too many families torn apart at the very worst possible times, when a trust hasn’t been in place – or worse – a poorly written trust has been put in place. This is one of the most important legal documents you will very create, it’s imperative that it’s done right.

That’s why families have trusted us for more than 25 years to protect their legacies. We want to ensure your trust is done right.

Before your appointment with us, there are a few things you will need to do. Don’t worry if you don’t do it perfectly, we’re here to help

Fill out the Estate Planning Organizer Worksheet. Do the best you can, we will help you finish it.
Bring copies of any existing Wills or other estate planning documents. Please let us know in advance what you already have, as we may need to review your documents prior to your appointment.
Bring copies of the grant deed and property tax bill for any real estate you own in California.
If you have a question about a document or financial statement, please bring it.
During your appointment we will ask you a lot of questions to make sure we understand your goals for your estate and that it will be executed as you wish. This means we’ll need some information about your property, your assets, your family, and heirs. Sometimes there are hidden legalities that could get in the way of your trust being executed as you wish. We want to make sure that doesn’t happen. We’re very thorough, so you can be rest-assured your legacy will live on as you see fit.

Before your appointment with us, there are a few things you will need to do. Don’t worry if you don’t do it perfectly, we’re here to help

Fill out the Estate Planning Organizer Worksheet. Do the best you can, we will help you finish it.
Bring copies of any existing Wills or other estate planning documents. Please let us know in advance what you already have, as we may need to review your documents prior to your appointment.
Bring copies of the grant deed and property tax bill for any real estate you own in California.
If you have a question about a document or financial statement, please bring it.
During your appointment we will ask you a lot of questions to make sure we understand your goals for your estate and that it will be executed as you wish. This means we’ll need some information about your property, your assets, your family, and heirs. Sometimes there are hidden legalities that could get in the way of your trust being executed as you wish. We want to make sure that doesn’t happen. We’re very thorough, so you can be rest-assured your legacy will live on as you see fit.

If you are in need of experienced legal services in Alamo, Antioch, Berkeley, Brentwood, Danville, Discovery Bay, Lamorinda, Lafayette, Moraga, Oakland, Orinda, Richmond, San Ramon, or Walnut Creek, look no further than The Law Offices of Joel A. Harris. Contact us today for assistance.

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