Comprehensive Estate Planning Services For Californians From All Walks Of Life

There are two myths that cause individuals and families to hesitate instead of moving ahead with estate planning: 1) it is something that only people over 50 years old need to do and 2) if you have written a will, at home, on a piece of paper, you’re covered.

At the Estate Planning Law Office of Jonathon L. Petty, attorney Jonathon Petty works with clients ranging in age from their twenties to their eighties and beyond. Married couples, especially those with young children, need to begin identifying how they would want their children cared for in the event of their deaths. Successful young and middle-aged adults need to consider who would inherit their retirement accounts if they died, or what would become of their business. Older adults should be planning for the passing of their assets and property to the next generation.

And while a valid will answers some key questions – particularly relating to guardianships of minor children and who to appoint as estate executor – it does not provide a full picture of your wishes, not to mention communicate your wishes regarding your own end-of-life care needs. Mr. Petty can help you create a portfolio of customized legal documents that will address all of your and your family’s needs.

How Can Estate Planning Protect My Family?

Mr. Petty and his staff help families safeguard a loved one’s medical choices and their wishes regarding the distribution of their assets. Some of the methods they use include:

• Advance directives for end-of-life care, including living wills, powers of attorney, medical directives outlining care in specific situations
• Last will and testament, which can designate guardians for minor children and how to administer funds they may inherit, as well as designating an estate administrator
• Trusts, to protect your assets from probate
• Specialized trusts that fund the ongoing care of vulnerable adults or beloved pets

Overall, a well-crafted estate plan takes your desires for sharing your estate with your family and matches it with a legal tool that best protects your family members from legal or tax challenges, as well as having to go through probate.

Real Solutions For Complex Financial Situations

If you’ve experienced financial success in your business or career, you know that it’s essential to think about taxes and other financial realities when considering the transfer of wealth to your loved ones. Mr. Petty has more than 12 years of experience in advanced estate planning. He can counsel you on how to structure your estate plan in order to best protect your assets from taxes, including capital gains taxes, estate taxes and/or gift tax. He often works closely with local financial advisors, helping his clients cement their financial planning goals with a solid estate plan.

Business owners can take advantage of Mr. Petty’s experience with business succession planning and business formation planning. Whether you want to pass on your business to your children or you want to start a business now and not have to worry about how it will impact your family’s tax liability after you die, he can help you align your business goals and your estate planning goals.

Planning Now Saves Heartache Later

Perhaps the biggest advantage of investing in estate planning assistance now, is that you are able to make clear your wishes about how your estate is distributed after you die. At the Estate Planning Law Office of Jonathon L. Petty, Mr. Petty and his staff understand this is a sensitive process, and they invest the time to get to know you to facilitate the process. They encourage open communication and strive to be accessible and approachable.

If you are dealing with the estate of a loved one who has passed away, Mr. Petty can also help you with California’s probate process and administration of the estate and any trusts associated with it. He can also help if your loved one didn’t leave a will and you are not sure what your loved one wanted. Probate can be an exhausting process when there is no will, but he is well qualified to help you navigate that situation.

Trust Your Legacy’s Care To An Experienced Fresno Estate Planning Lawyer

Mr. Petty is ready to listen and work with you to create a custom estate plan for you. Call his office in Fresno at 559-821-7614 for a free initial consultation. You can also send him an email using this site’s online intake form.