Our estate planning process is done in three easy steps:
- You complete our easy to understand client information booklet.
- We prepare draft documents for your review and make edits, as necessary.
- Your final documents are prepared for signing and notarization.
- No charge for notary services for all estate documents executed in person.
- Each Trust Package or Will Package is delivered in a binder with tabs.
- We can help with the critical step of funding your Living Trust.
Review our various document options below and use the form to let us know how we can assist.
Questions about how our process works? Call 415-883-9594 or email jlwLDA888@gmail.com anytime. No charge to chat.
Trust Package
$775 for an individual
$975 for a couple
Includes:
- Living Trust
- Trust Certification
- Exhibit of Trust Assets*
- Personal Property Distribution Instructions
- Will(s)
- Powers of Attorney
- Advance Healthcare Directive(s)
- Stand-Alone HIPAA waiver(s)
- Final Disposition Instructions
- Plain English Summary of Estate Planning Provisions
Will Package
$375 for an individual
$475 for a couple
Includes:
- Will(s)
- Personal Property Distribution Instructions
- Powers of Attorney
- Advance Healthcare Directive(s)
- Stand-Alone HIPAA waiver(s)
- Final Disposition Instructions
- Plain English Summary of Estate Planning Provisions
Deed – Transfer Real Estate to a Living Trust
$295
Like many other assets, it’s absolutely critical to transfer them into the name of trust to gain the benefits of the estate planning provisions you have included in that document.
- Real property requires a new transfer deed for each property.
- Each deed must then be filed with the County Recorder’s office where the property is located.
- Each deed filing should include a Preliminary Change of Ownership report, or PCOR, to avoid an additional $20 charge by the County Assessor’s Office.
NOTE:
As of January 1, 2018, legislation in the State of California requires all County Recorders’ offices to charge $75 on certain real estate recordings, up to a maximum of $225 for multiple filings for one transaction. This fee is NOT included in the prices above.
Recording a Transfer to Trust Deed is usually exempt from this specific recording fee mentioned above.
Deed – Transfer on Death
$295
Name beneficiaries on the deed itself
Advantages:
- Avoids probate, if done correctly and if no unexpected family changes occur (like beneficiaries who die before transferor);
- Simple, inexpensive alternative to a living trust or other probate avoidance techniques;
- Can be revoked at any time during the lifetime of the transferor;
- Same tax advantages as transfers by trust or inheritance under a will.
Disadvantages:
- The transfer of the home to the beneficiary is not protected from your unsecured debts.
- Title companies may refuse to issue title insurance for three years after your death, blocking sales or refinancing.
- If a beneficiary dies before the transferor, their share won’t go to their heirs. Instead, the remaining beneficiaries split it. If no beneficiaries survive, your home will probably need to go through probate;
- After your death, the beneficiaries must take several steps to transfer the property, including notifying any possible heirs, possibly alerting them to challenge the TOD deed.
NOTE: Recording this type of document is not exempt from this additional recording fee mentioned above.
Other Types of Deeds
Most Deeds will be $295*
Common Deeds:
- Grant Deed
- Transfer on Death Deed
- Adding or Removing Person from Title**
- Correction Deed
- Deed of Trust / Promissory Note
- Deed of Full Reconveyance
* Not including filing fees
** Sometimes also requires an affidavit
Trust Amendment
Life changes and so should your estate plan. Sometimes a simple amendment can achieve your goals without the need to re-do your entire trust or will.
Changing trustees, executors, or beneficiaries are typical examples of situations where an amendment (or codicil in the case of a will) might be sufficient.