Estate & Asset Protection

Estate Planning

Estate planning is how you keep control of your decisions and spare your family confusion and conflict. A clear plan is one of the most considerate things you can leave behind.

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How Krankemann Law builds your plan

We start with your family, your assets, and your wishes, then assemble the documents that carry them out, such as a will, a living trust, powers of attorney, and health care directives. We also make sure a trust is properly funded, which is the step that makes it work. The result is a plan that reflects your decisions and holds up over time.

Avoiding probate in California

In California, an estate that passes through probate can face a public and lengthy court process. A properly funded revocable living trust generally allows your assets to pass outside probate to the people you choose. Naming who will act for you if you are incapacitated is just as important as deciding who inherits.

What we handle

  • Wills
  • Revocable living trusts
  • Durable powers of attorney
  • Advance health care directives
  • Beneficiary designations and trust funding
  • Guardianship designations for minor children

FAQ

Estate Planning — Common Questions

What documents make up a basic estate plan?
A typical plan often includes a will, frequently a revocable living trust, a durable power of attorney for finances, and an advance health care directive. Together they cover both who inherits and who acts for you if you cannot. We tailor the set to your needs rather than using a template.
Why does a trust need to be funded?
A living trust only controls the assets that are actually transferred into it, so an unfunded trust can leave assets exposed to probate. Funding means retitling accounts and property into the trust's name. We handle the funding step rather than leaving it unfinished.
What happens if I die without a plan in California?
Without a will or trust, California's intestate succession laws decide who inherits, which may not match your wishes, and the estate generally goes through probate. The court also decides who manages the estate and any minor children's care. A plan keeps those decisions in your hands.
When should I create or update a plan?
Create one once you have assets or dependents, and update it after major life events like marriage, divorce, a birth, or a significant change in assets. Laws also change over time. A periodic review keeps the plan aligned with your life.

Free, Confidential Consultation

Talk to a Krankemann attorney about your estate & asset protection matter.

A free, confidential consultation costs nothing and tells you exactly where you stand.

Call (707) 524-2200 Request a Consultation