Secure Your Future with California Estate Planning
Creating a sound estate plan involves planning in the current state of affairs for a brighter and more secure future. Attorney Neal Bartlett is a California State Bar Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trusts, and Probate. This means Island View Law is exceptionally qualified to help you formulate the most robust layered protections for your assets to achieve the future you desire for your estate and loved ones.
Who Needs Estate Planning?
Estate planning is for every spouse, parent, grandparent, business owner, or person in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties who takes responsibility for their well-being and for the well-being of those they love. An “estate” doesn’t necessarily mean a large home on a sprawling property by the seaside. Your estate is everything you own. You have an estate if you have a bank account or own a vehicle. What happens to that estate in the future is what estate planning is all about.
Island View Law has an in-depth estate planning process that begins with learning about your values and your family’s unique dynamics. Together, we develop a plan that protects you and your family and evolves to fulfill your needs over time. Creating sophisticated legal documents is only part of our estate planning service; we build lasting relationships with your family and commit to serving multiple generations. After all, we are your family professional legal services partner for life.
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What Do I Need in an Estate Plan?
What you need in your estate plan is unique to you and your circumstances. Those planning for retirement and those completing college and beginning a career will need a different plan for the future. Island View Law works with you to determine what you need now to prepare for the future. Your estate plan is flexible and develops over time as your life and circumstances change.
Your estate plan can cover the following:
- A Will with Specific Instructions for Your Final Wishes
- Trusts to Protect and Preserve Assets
- Control Over Your Digital Assets
- A Medical Power of Attorney
- Guardianships Over Children or Dependents
- Guardianships Over Pets
- And Much More…
Our skilled Estate Planning Attorneys serving Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties can guide you as you explore the different components available for your estate plan and determine which ones you want or need. An estate plan is constantly evolving. Choose the basics now and add more provisions as life brings changes and opportunities your way.
Schedule a FREE Estate Planning Consultation
What About Digital Assets?
Today’s society is awash with digital media; individuals may own significant digital assets as part of their estate. Digital assets can be anything from photos, emails, and writing to financial information, social media accounts, and music collections. Managing those assets is a newer concern that older generations never had. Your California estate plan can make provisions for protecting, granting access, distributing, and even deleting your digital assets upon your death or incapacitation.
California enacted a law in 2017 that makes it easier for your estate executor to gain access to your digital assets. Previously, this access required a court order, but now it only requires one of three things:
- You previously granted consent via online permission, such as Google’s Inactive Account Manager or Facebook’s Legacy Manager.
- You granted written permission or instructions in your formal estate plan.
- The “Terms of Service” permit your heirs to access the information; they will likely need a court order anyway.
Including an inventory and outlining your wishes for your digital assets is best included in your estate plan.
Help for Your Family Now and In the Future
Attorneys Neal Bartlett and Jason Knight believe in solid, long-term relationships. The nature of the legal matters we handle lends itself to forming solid relationships to serve our clients and their families for generations. Estate planning, trust and probate administration, and family matters like divorce, custody, and conservatorships all have long-term factors where you will need seasoned legal guidance and help.
Island View Law is your professional legal services partner for life – wherever life takes you and your loved ones. Call us today at (805) 576-7693 or complete the contact form to request a FREE initial consultation with one of our talented California attorneys.
