California Estate Planning - As it should be done!

Secure your estate with the expert guidance and insight of our California Trust & Estate planning Attorneys, all from the comfort of your home.

With our modern virtual approach, transparency on cost, and first rate service, there’s never been a better way to get a high quality estate plan in place.

San Diego Estate planning lawyers

Direct Access

Direct phone and email access to the Attorney helping you throughout your entire planning process and beyond - no passing you off to an assistant here.

Modern

We continually work to keep both our process and our planning techniques as modern as possible - don't settle for less!

No-Stress

Estate planning can be a stressful topic. We aim to create a laid-back atmosphere without any unneeded pressure or dramatization.

Reasonable

The vast majority of our plans are completed on a flat-fee basis. We believe in providing a fair price to all without sacrificing quality of work or outcomes.

Trusted by families throughout California

5/5

Our tech-enabled process allows us to help families everywhere in California without them ever having to leave home. We have hundreds of 5-Star Reviews across all platforms from happy clients and we are rated A+ by the BBB.

Common Questions

We start with a complimentary virtual meeting to cover the basics, learn about you, and piece together your plan. Your attorney then drafts your plan and sends you a video review along with the initial drafts to help explain how they work together and cut through the legalese. We discuss updates/questions together until we agree all looks perfect, then our mobile notaries will sign with you at home around your schedule. We do everything else online today, why not meet your attorney and conveniently create an Estate Plan that way as well?!

Yes! Our firm stays laser focused on the area of Estate Planning, but we don't just prepare documents. We also help families administer trusts and estates as well, so we stay on top of what works and what doesn't in the real world. This practical experience serves to make our estate plans as iron-clad as possible and makes it very easy for us to guide you through what matters most. It also means we'll be there for your family should they need help administering your plan when the time comes, though most do just fine on their own.

On average 2-3 weeks between the initial drafting and finalization after review, depending on your wishes. You can take as much time as you need to review your plan and work through questions though, so no rush. Expedited plans available as well, just tell us your timeline when we first talk.

No! Why sit through traffic or take multiple days off work just to come into an attorney's office? Our virtual approach allows us to come to you without losing the touch of personal service. When your plan is ready to sign, our partnered mobile notary will come to you around your schedule to finalize everything. Stay in touch with your attorney anytime via phone, text, email, or Zoom, at your preference, without losing any valuable time.

To give you an honest answer here we really need to know what we're drafting first. Your plan is customized around your wishes, goals, and assets, so there are many variables that may change exactly what we set up or how we custom tailor it. To give you an idea for trust-based plans involving fairly simple wishes and assets, our plans start at $2,500 / $3,000 (single / married) and that will cover a comprehensive plan for the vast majority of our clients (Living Trust, Will(s), Certification of Trust, Schedule of Assets, Gift Lists, Medical Directive(s), HIPAA Release(s), Financial Power(s) of Attorney, Trust Transfer Deed for primary home, County Recording, & Notarization). A majority of clients are covered with this plan as it addresses all of their wishes, but in our initial meeting together we'll discuss if you need anything additional based upon your individual wishes and assets.

If you have simple wishes, a simple estate, and are willing to use software to get your plan in place, you may consider using our partnered software for a Ready-Made Plan. Just remember that using software to create a plan and using an Attorney are two very different things, and that's why the cost is different. Software based plans provide documents and are largely intended for you to complete them on your own - attorneys provide legal advice and custom solutions based on your individual goals and circumstances. While we think a custom plan with our Attorneys is always the best way to protect your family, we do have innovative hybrid approaches through our software for those with simple estates that need some attorney assistance along the way.

Absolutely! Recording your primary home trust transfer deed with your County Recorder is included in our flat rate. Additional fees apply for secondary properties, but we will absolutely take care of recording all deeds at the County on your behalf. We'll also guide you on getting financial accounts into the trust as well. This step is key to helping your family avoid Probate.

We typically collect half of your overall plan fee when we agree to work with one another and the remaining half at the end of the process when everything is ready for notarization. All invoices are sent via email for credit card payment, so it’s about as easy as can be. 

No! Unlike a surprising number of estate plans in the marketplace, our plans are completely customized to fit your needs. We can use a flat-fee structure for most of our plans because we’ve been doing this long enough that we know what most of our clients are going to want at least generally, and we’ve probably already drafted similar provisions that we can further customize to your needs. That allows us to project how much time we’ll likely be spending on your plan and arrive at a flat-fee that works for both parties. That said, more complex wishes (i.e- we need a spreadsheet to map out all of your contingencies), specialized clauses, or unique situations may cause your plan to be quoted a higher price than our flat fees listed. We will not include any surprises in your bill though, you will know your quote well before we ever agree to work with one another (usually by the conclusion of our initial consultation).

Life happens, and your planning should be flexible to accommodate changes that do come up. Simply email the attorney you worked with to let them know you need to make updates and they’ll guide you through the process based on what is changing. We’ll soon be offering a client care program where you can store your documents, make updates anytime you need, and stay up to date on the laws affecting your plan anytime as well! (expected fall of 2023)

A trust is a legal arrangement in which a named person (trustee) holds and manages assets for the benefit of a someone else (beneficiary). There are many different types of trusts, each designed to meet specific needs and goals. Trusts can provide many benefits, such as avoiding probate, minimizing taxes, protecting assets from creditors, and ensuring that assets are distributed according to your wishes. For example, if you want to ensure that your assets are distributed to your heirs in a certain way or at a certain time (and without going through Probate Court), a trust can provide the necessary structure and control to achieve those goals.

A revocable trust can be changed or revoked by the creator of the trust at any time during their lifetime, whereas an irrevocable trust cannot be changed or revoked once it is created. Revocable trusts are often used for estate planning purposes, as they can provide flexibility and control during the creator's lifetime while also avoiding probate. Irrevocable trusts, on the other hand, are often used for asset protection or tax planning purposes, as they can provide greater protection from creditors and minimize estate taxes.

Choosing a trustee is an important decision, as the trustee will be responsible for managing the trust assets and carrying out your wishes. When choosing a trustee, you should look for someone who is trustworthy, level-headed, and has the financial acumen necessary to manage trust assets. You may also want to consider selecting a professional fiduciary or corporate trustee, such as a bank or trust company, as they can provide professional management and oversight of trust assets. The trustee's responsibilities may include investing assets, making distributions, and ensuring that the trust is administered according to your wishes.

There are several strategies available to protect assets from creditors or legal claims, depending on your individual circumstances. One strategy is to create an irrevocable trust, which can provide greater protection from creditors than a revocable trust. Another strategy is to transfer assets to a limited liability company or partnership, which can shield those assets from individual liability. Additionally, some states allow for the creation of domestic asset protection trusts, which can provide even greater protection for certain assets. Offshore Asset Protection Trusts are yet another technique that can be employed. It is important to discuss your options with a qualified asset protection attorney, as the best strategy will depend on your individual circumstances.

Special needs trusts can be used to provide for a loved one with disabilities or special needs without jeopardizing their eligibility for government benefits such as Medi-Cal/Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). These trusts can be designed to provide for the beneficiary's needs while also preserving their eligibility for benefits. Special needs trusts can be funded with a variety of assets, such as cash, real estate, or investments, and can be managed by a trustee who has experience working with individuals with special needs.

If you’re new to Estate Planning and need to learn the basics, check out our Free Course – Estate Planning in California to learn everything you need to know. You can also download our Free E-Book: 10 Essential Steps to Securing Your Family Legacy.

estate planning

Modern & Convenient Estate Planning

Start your plan from the comfort of your home – we’ll come to you for a virtual consultation

We’ll personally guide you on needed details as we talk – no complicated intake forms

Draft documents are accompanied by a personalized explanation video – watch it as many times as you need whenever it’s convenient. 

Your attorney is available to you to review your plan, discuss updates, and answer questions however it’s easiest for you. 

When your final plan is ready, we’ll send a mobile notary around your schedule right to you – no need to take time off or sit in traffic just to come into a law office!

Stop kicking it down the road...

We get it, Estate Planning isn’t exactly the most fun thing in the world. Trust us, we’ve made this process as easy as it can be for you. Remember, there’s absolutely no obligation in setting up a free consultation to talk through your options, so for once and all let’s get this done!

Jenkins and Jenkins Lawyers