Practice Areas

Estate Planning

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You might think it's too early to think about estate planning
But you never know when it will be too late

Most people think of estate planning as a will to direct how their assets are distributed to family and friends. That's certainly a part of the estate planning process, but there is so much more. San Diego estate planning lawyer Jackie Robert Geller, is prepared to help you find the right legal tool to meet your goals.

Medical Care and End of Life Issues

Estate planning includes legal tools to tell your family what you want if you should become incapacitated. Do you want every possible medical intervention to prolong your life? Or is quality of life your greatest concern? Who will make those choices for you? We will walk you through the process of clarifying your goals when preparing a:

• Power of Attorney and Durable Power of Attorney to designate who can handle legal and financial matters
• Medical Power of Attorney or Medical Proxy to designate who can make medical decisions on your behalf
• Living Will or Advanced Health Care Directives to give family instructions about medical decisions that may need to be made

Protecting Children and Vulnerable Adults

If you have minor children, it's important to plan now for their guardianship, education and future in the event of your death. Who could best fill the role of guardian? How can you ensure that their college expenses are covered? San Diego estate planning lawyer Geller will help you consider all your options with such tools as:

• Wills and trusts to designate guardianship for dependent children and conservatorship for vulnerable adults, such as handicapped adult children or aged parents
• Educational trusts to provide for the education of children
• Supplemental needs trusts

Minimize Taxes Now and in the Future

There are estate planning tools that minimize your taxes now, and other tools that minimize taxes and costs on your estate so your family receives more of your assets. San Diego estate planning lawyer Geller has advanced education in tax law and the tax implications of estate planning strategies. Ask us about:

• Revocable and Irrevocable Trusts to minimize the loss of assets during the probate of a will
• Life insurance trusts

Distribute Your Assets / Leave a Legacy

If you own a home in California, you have a valuable asset already. If you have insurance and a 401(k) or pension plan, you may easily have more than $1 million in assets. If you die without a will or trust, the courts will decide for you where that money goes. Depending upon your particular goals, we have a variety of options to allow you to designate how your assets are distributed, including:

• Wills and trusts
• Charitable trusts
• Family foundations

You may have a lot more at stake than you thought. Have your plans translated into valid legal documents that protect your loved ones and your assets. Contact our office to speak to an attorney.

The law office of Jackie Robert Geller serves the residents and businesses of San Diego County, and the Southern California communities of San Diego, La Jolla, Del Mar, University City, UTC, Clairemont, Sorrento Valley, Mira Mesa, Sorrento Mesa, Scripps Ranch, Carmel Valley, Oceanside, Carlsbad, Vista, San Marcos, Escondido, Encinitas, Poway, Santee, Chula Vista, El Cajon, Lemon Grove, Coronado, and Imperial Beach.