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| CALIFORNIA ESTATE PLANNING ATTORNEYS |
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| Unexpected events can unnecessarily consume the assets accumulated over a lifetime of work. Fortunately, this can avoided. At Cunningham and Associates, our California estate planning attorneys assist our clients in evaluating their estates and controlling the allocation of accumulated assets both before and after death through careful planning. Our experienced California / Camarillo estate planning attorney deals with the network of laws governing gifts, estates and trusts and uses that knowledge to help our clients fulfill their short and long term goals. Cunningham & Associates has built its reputation by providing high quality, cost-effective and personal legal representation. Combining expertise and responsiveness with personal attention, Cunningham & Associates’ California estate planning attorneys care about serving the best interests of our clients. |
Estate Planning is critical for:
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Married Couples |
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A California / Camarillo estate planning attorney can help individuals interested in safeguarding their accumulated assets, property, and wealth, especially if they own real estate valued at more than $20,000 or have assets of more than $100,000, need to have an estate plan. In fact, the more wealth an individual has, the more tax benefits he accrues through having an estate plan. |
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Families with minor children or special needs children |
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Creating a trust under a will is an inexpensive, flexible approach to the management and distribution of a minor child’s inheritance. A California estate planning attorney will advice you that a trusted relative, friend or institution may serve as the trustee. It is often advisable to leave wealth to beneficiaries inside a trust, even when beneficiaries are fully functional adults, as the assets in a trust can be protected from failed marriages, creditors, bankruptcy, and judgments. |
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Blended Families |
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Trusts are very beneficial for use with blended families. They help protect those who are most important, while avoiding estate planning mistakes. |
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Business Owners |
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Estate planning for business owners is particularly important to ensure the survival of the business and the orderly transfer of those business interests to the intended beneficiaries. |
A California / Camarillo estate planning attorney can help individuals interested in maintaining management and control of their estates, protecting family members, avoiding probate, and obtaining peace of mind.
| SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ELDER LAW |
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| Elder Law is a distinct legal field which concentrates on the legal, financial, social, and health care needs of one specific sector: the elderly. It is a law practice that is built on compassion, care, and concern for the older client. As we get older, many of us are faced with difficult and important decisions regarding our healthcare and our financial well being. Our Southern California Elder Law Attorneys work hard to protect the rights of older people and to prevent their exploitation, abuse, and neglect. We also help educate older people about assistance in the areas of public benefits, health, and long-term care planning, including In Home Health Support Services (IHHSS) and Medi-Cal. Our Elder Law Attorneys can help seniors understand their legal rights and protect them from exploitation. |
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| ESTATE PLANNING FOR MEDI-CAL |
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| Medi-Cal is a combined federal and state program that is designed to pay for long term nursing home care for impoverished adults. Federal and state laws provide estate planning options for Medi-Cal for both single and married individuals. These laws allow you to protect your assets and still qualify for Medi-Cal benefits to pay your nursing home costs. Our Elder Law Attorneys will work with you to design and implement a plan tailored to your needs. We help clients qualify for long-term care benefits without depleting their estate. |
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| ADVANCED HEALTHCARE DIRECTIVES (living wills) |
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| With an Advanced Healthcare Directive, an individual makes choices regarding medical care for all known situations in which he might become incapacitated. He can designate one or more individuals to make decisions for him should the circumstance arise. |
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| CALIFORNIA POWER OF ATTORNEY (for property management and personal affairs) |
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| A California Power of Attorney gives a family member or someone trusted the ability to make financial and personal decisions when an individual becomes incapacitated. A Power of Attorney in California can be used to address broad issues or only one transaction like purchasing of a single parcel of real estate. |
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| PROBATE LAW ATTORNEYS |
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When someone dies, probate may be required to legally transfer title of assets to the appropriate beneficiaries, to appoint the executor or administrator of the estate, and to determine distribution of estate assets. Probate Law is intimidating, but our Probate Law Attorneys are here to help.
- Admitting the will to Probate Court
- Obtaining certified letters Testamentary or of Administration
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| Our estate planning lawyers in Southern California can help with: |
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- Property appraisal
- Settlement of estates
- Overseeing the payment of the final individual and estate taxes
- Distributing the remaining property
- Challenging a will or trust
- Defending a will or trust
- Legal counsel for executors and trustees
- Legal action for breach of fiduciary responsibilities
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When a death occurs, assisting in probate requires knowledge as well as compassion and an understanding of the goals of the family. Achieving the goals of the decedent and satisfying the state and federal government is the focus of our Probate law attorneys.
| WILLS |
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| A Will is the instruction to the Probate Court of how an individual wants to have his property distributed at death. Our Will and California Estate Planning Attorneys give personal service in preparing Wills and keeping them up to date as circumstances and the law changes. |
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| TRUSTS |
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| A Trust is a legal arrangement that allows the holding of property by a trustee for the benefit of another person or for yourself. By maintaining assets in a trust, an individual can minimize taxes and leave a larger inheritance. The use of a trust is also a way to provide a steady income to the beneficiary over the course of time, rather than distribution in a lump sum. This strategy can reduce the beneficiary's taxes and allow the trust to grow through proper investment. Charitable trusts can also be established. |
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| GUARDIANSHIPS AND CONSERVATORSHIPS |
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| Sometimes loved ones need help with financial or personal matters. Whether due to age, incapacity, or some other circumstance, the courts can be asked to intervene to appoint a Guardian or Conservator. The Guardian or Conservator accepts responsibility for the financial and personal needs of the Ward. Our Southern California living trust attorneys can help with the regular reporting to the court on the Ward's personal and financial status. |
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| ESTATE ADMINISTRATION AND TRUST ADMINISTRATION |
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Individual state laws direct the probate court how to distribute the decedent’s estate. State laws and procedures vary greatly, so it is important to consult a Southern California living trust attorney with Cunningham & Associates to ensure that the decedent's assets are distributed correctly.
We handle the court proceedings related to probate and we help trustees in the administration of trusts. The probate process includes admitting the Will to court to establish its validity and properly Estate Administration. Our estate administration services provide peace of mind ensuring that loved ones will be securely provided for in the manner you choose.
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| TRUST DISPUTES AND ESTATE DISPUTES |
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When problems arise in connection with trusts or estates, you will need expert, independent advice. Our Southern California estate planning lawyers aim to achieve, wherever possible, a negotiated settlement without recourse to the Courts. Our estate planning attorneys strive for thorough understanding of the issues and approach delicate family situations in a sensitive and sympathetic manner. Our Southern California Elder Law Attorneys and Estate Planning Attorneys will help develop the necessary estate planning documents to minimize the possibility of estate planning mistakes.
At Cunningham & Associates, our mission is simple: to provide superior legal services to our clients in a compassionate, cost-effective, and timely manner. Cunningham & Associates’ California power of attorney lawyers show they care about serving the best interests of our clients by combining expertise and responsiveness with personal attention.
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