Estate Planning
Helping individuals and families prepare estate planning documents to protect assets and avoid probate in California.
Estate Planning
A living trust is an estate planning tool used to manage and transfer assets without going through probate. In California, a properly prepared living trust can help families avoid the time, expense, and public nature of probate court.
At Ashlar LDA, Inc., we prepare complete trust document packages based on your instructions, so your estate plan is organized and ready. Our service includes the trust document itself along with essential supporting documents.
Benefits of a Living Trust-Based Estate Plan
- Avoid probate courtso your estate can be settled faster and more privately.
- Maintain privacysince trusts do not become public record like probate filings.
- Provide clear instructionsfor how your assets should be distributed to beneficiaries.
- Allow management during incapacityso a successor trustee can step in if needed.
Our Estate Planning Document Services
We prepare the following types of documents for individuals and families seeking estate planning services in California:
Revocable Living Trust
The core document that holds your assets and directs how they are managed and distributed.
Certification of Trust
A summary document used by banks and title companies to verify the trust.
Pour-Over Will
A backup will that directs unfunded assets into the trust..
Power of Attorney
Durable power of attorney for financial decisions during incapacity.
Healthcare Directive
Advance healthcare directive for medical and end-of-life decisions.
Trust Transfer Deeds
Deeds to transfer real property into the trust for proper funding.
Trust Amendments and Restatements
Life changes may require updating an existing trust. Whether you need a simple amendment to change a beneficiary or trustee, or a complete restatement to overhaul the entire trust, we prepare the documents based on your instructions.
Common reasons for updates include changes in beneficiaries, new property acquisitions, changes in trustees, marriage or divorce, or updates to distribution instructions.
Need to Update an Existing Trust?
We prepare trust amendments and full restatements based on your instructions. Tell us what has changed and we will prepare the update documents.
Start Trust UpdateHow the Estate Planning Document Process Works
- Complete our estate planning intake form
Tell us about your assets, beneficiaries, and estate planning goals.
- Provide information about your assets and beneficiaries
Share details about real estate, financial accounts, and who you want to receive them.
- We prepare the trust document package
Based on your instructions, we prepare the complete trust and supporting documents.
- Review and execute the trust documents
Review the documents and sign them according to California requirements.
Who Uses Our Estate Planning Services
- Homeownerswho want to avoid probate for their property.
- Familiesplanning how assets will transfer to the next generation.
- Individualscreating a comprehensive estate plan.
- Real estate investorsholding property in trusts for liability and estate planning purposes.