Frequently Asked Questions
Honest answers to the questions we hear most often.
Getting Started
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If there are people in your life who depend on you — or people you love who would be affected by your death or incapacity — then yes, you need a plan. Estate planning isn't just for the wealthy or the elderly. It's for anyone who wants to make sure the people they love are protected and that their wishes are honored, no matter what happens.
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A will is a legal document that expresses your wishes after you die — but it has to go through a court process called probate before anything can be distributed. A trust holds your assets during your lifetime and transfers them to your loved ones after you die without going through probate. Trusts are generally faster, more private, and more flexible than wills — though most comprehensive plans include both.
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The honest answer is: now. Most people put it off because it feels heavy or overwhelming — but the process is much simpler than most people expect, and the peace of mind it creates is immediate. If you have children, own property, run a business, or have anyone who depends on you, there's no good reason to wait.
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Especially then. Estate planning isn't about anticipating the worst — it's about caring for the people you love while things are calm. Young, healthy people get sick, have accidents, and face unexpected circumstances just like everyone else. Having a plan in place means the people you love are protected no matter what, and it means you get to make those decisions instead of leaving them to a court.
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Absolutely. Estate planning is about much more than money. It's about who makes decisions for you if you can't make them yourself. It's about who raises your children if something happens to you. It's about making sure your wishes are known and honored. Those questions matter regardless of how much you have in the bank.
Family & Children
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Without a plan in place, a court will decide who raises your children — and they may not choose the person you would have chosen. A comprehensive estate plan names the guardians you trust, provides clear instructions for their care, and ensures the resources are in place to support them. This is one of the most important things a parent can do.
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It's one of the hardest questions in estate planning — and one of the most important. The right guardian is someone who shares your values, has a genuine relationship with your children, and is willing and able to take on that responsibility. We'll walk through this together during your planning process to make sure you feel confident in your decision.
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A Kids Protection Plan is a comprehensive set of documents and instructions designed specifically to protect your children. It goes beyond simply naming a guardian — it includes short-term care instructions, authorization for caregivers, and guidance for the people who would step in to care for your children in an emergency. It's one of the most valuable things we create for families with minor children.
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Yes — and this is exactly what estate planning is designed to do. Without a plan, those decisions are made by a court. With a plan, you stay in control. You choose who raises your children, who manages their finances, and how your wishes are carried out.
The Process
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The Life & Legacy Planning Session is where we start. We'll spend time together getting to know your family, your assets, and what matters most to you. We'll talk about what you'd want to be different for the people you love if something happened to you — and we'll review your options together so you can choose the approach that's right for your life right now. It's a thoughtful conversation — not a sales pitch.
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From your Life & Legacy Planning Session to your signing ceremony, most clients complete the process in six to eight weeks. After signing, we'll meet one more time about four weeks later for your delivery meeting. From there, our relationship continues — we check in every three years to make sure your plan still reflects your life.
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The cost of your plan depends on what you need — and we offer several planning packages designed to fit different families and situations. We'll determine the right approach together during your Life & Legacy Planning Session, once we've had a chance to understand your goals, your family, and your assets. There are no surprises — you'll know exactly what your plan costs before we begin.
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Both options are available. Laurel Law & Planning serves clients locally in Marin County and throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, as well as remotely across California. We'll work in whatever way is most comfortable for you.
Documents & Planning
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Every plan is different, but most comprehensive estate plans include a revocable living trust, a will, a financial power of attorney, and an advance healthcare directive. Some clients also need additional documents depending on their family situation, business interests, or assets. We'll identify exactly what you need during your planning session.
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A trust is a legal arrangement that holds your assets and transfers them to your loved ones after you die — without going through probate court. For most families in California, a trust is the foundation of a solid estate plan. It keeps things private, avoids the time and expense of probate, and gives you much more control over how your assets are distributed.
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If you die without a will or trust in California, your assets are distributed according to state law — not your wishes. This process, called intestate succession, follows a fixed formula that may not reflect your intentions at all. It also means a court will decide who raises your children if you have minor kids. Having even a basic plan in place gives you control that the state otherwise takes away.
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A power of attorney authorizes someone you trust to make financial decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated. Without one, your loved ones may have to go to court to get that authority — a process that's expensive, time-consuming, and public. A financial power of attorney is a simple document that prevents a lot of unnecessary hardship.
Ongoing Care
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Life changes — and your plan should too. Marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, a move, a new business, a significant change in assets — all of these are reasons to revisit your plan. Every Laurel Law & Planning client receives a complimentary plan review every three years, and VIP Membership clients receive annual reviews to make sure their plan is always current.
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As a general rule, you should review your plan every three to five years — or whenever something significant changes in your life. The most common triggers are marriage or divorce, the birth or adoption of a child, the death of a beneficiary or named guardian, a major change in assets, or a move to a new state. We make this easy by staying in touch and reaching out when it's time to review.