Cerritos Wills & Trusts Lawyer
Plan and Protect What You’ve Worked For
A well-crafted estate plan gives you control over your future and protects the people you love. At Georgia N. Kezios, our Cerritos wills and trusts lawyer helps individuals and families create the legal documents that clearly express their wishes, safeguard their assets, and make things easier for their loved ones.
For most people, the foundation of an effective estate plan includes two essential documents: a will and a revocable living trust. Together, these tools allow you to decide what happens to your property, who will care for your children, and how your estate will be managed when you’re no longer here.
We take the time to understand your situation, explain your options in plain English (or Spanish or Greek if you prefer), and design a plan that gives you confidence and peace of mind.
What a Will Can Do
A last will and testament is a legal document that directs how your property should be distributed after your death. It’s your opportunity to make your wishes known, name the people you trust to carry them out, and avoid unnecessary confusion or conflict among family members.
Through your will, you can:
- Designate who will receive your property, money, and personal belongings
- Name a guardian for your minor children
- Appoint an executor to manage your estate and carry out your instructions
Without a will, state law decides who inherits your assets, and the results may not match your wishes. In addition, your spouse, children, or other relatives may have to go through a lengthy probate process where the court determines how to divide your estate. Having a clear, legally valid will ensures that your voice, not the court’s, guides the process.
Even if you have a trust, a will is still important. It acts as a safety net for any assets that aren’t titled in your trust’s name and can direct those assets to be transferred into the trust after your death. We ensure that your will contains a proper “pour-over” provision that works seamlessly with your trust and leaves no asset unaccounted for.
The Benefits of a Revocable Living Trust
While a will is essential to have, it doesn’t avoid probate, the court-supervised process of settling your estate. Probate can take months or even years, and may involve significant stress, expense, and burdens.
A revocable living trust, on the other hand, allows your assets to pass directly to your chosen beneficiaries without going through probate. This not only saves time and money but also keeps your affairs private, since a trust does not become a public record like a will does.
Here’s how it works: you create the trust during your lifetime and transfer ownership of your assets, such as your home, bank accounts, and investments, into it. As the trustee, you maintain full control over your property, and you can amend or revoke the trust at any time. Upon your death, your chosen successor trustee steps in to distribute the assets according to your instructions.
The advantages of a revocable living trust include:
- Avoiding the delays and expenses of probate
- Keeping your estate and its contents private
- Providing for the smooth management of your assets if you become incapacitated
- Ensuring your wishes are carried out quickly and efficiently after your death
For most families, a revocable living trust is the cornerstone of an estate plan. It allows your loved ones to handle your affairs without court intervention and gives you peace of mind knowing everything is clearly documented and under control.
How Wills and Trusts Work Together
A will and a trust serve different but complementary purposes. The will names your executor, designates guardians for your children, and acts as a backup for any property not transferred into your trust. The trust manages and distributes the bulk of your assets privately and efficiently, both during your lifetime and after your death.
When we create your estate plan, we make sure your will and trust are properly coordinated. This means verifying that your assets are titled correctly, your beneficiaries are up to date, and your documents reflect your current goals and relationships. Over time, as your circumstances change, we can help you review and update your plan so it continues to serve your needs.
Funding Your Trust
One of the most important steps in establishing a living trust is funding it by transferring ownership of your assets into the trust’s name. This includes real estate, bank accounts, brokerage accounts, and sometimes personal property.
We guide you through this process to ensure that your trust is properly funded and effective. A trust that isn’t funded can’t do its job, and your estate could still end up in probate. We’ll make sure your plan works as intended from day one.
When Other Types of Trusts May Be Appropriate
While most clients benefit from a revocable living trust, some situations call for additional planning tools. Depending on your goals, family circumstances, and financial situation, we may recommend other types of trusts, such as:
- Special Needs Trusts to provide for a loved one with disabilities without jeopardizing their eligibility for government benefits.
- Charitable Trusts for those who wish to support a cause or organization in a tax-efficient way.
- Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts (ILITs) to remove life insurance proceeds from your taxable estate.
- Bypass or Credit Shelter Trusts to take advantage of estate tax exemptions for married couples.
These trusts are not one-size-fits-all solutions and are not necessary for every family. We’ll discuss your goals, explain your options, and design the right combination of documents to protect your assets and support your long-term objectives.
Keeping Your Plan Current
Life never stands still, and neither should your estate plan. Marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, a new home, or a significant change in finances can all affect how your plan should be structured.
We recommend reviewing your estate plan every few years or whenever you experience a major life change to make sure your will and trust still reflect your wishes. We’re always here to answer questions, make updates, and ensure your plan continues to protect the people and property you care about most.
Why Work With Georgia N. Kezios
Estate planning isn’t just about legal documents; it’s about people. We take pride in building long-term relationships with our clients, many of whom return for guidance as their families and financial situations evolve. We explain every step of the process in clear, straightforward language and make sure you understand what each document does and why it’s important.
When you work with us, you’ll never feel rushed or pressured. We believe the best estate plans come from thoughtful discussions and a clear understanding of your goals. Our job is to listen, guide, and help you create a plan that gives you and your loved ones lasting peace of mind.
Take Control of Your Future Today
Don’t wait for the courts or the state to decide what happens to your estate. With a carefully prepared will and trust, you can take control of your legacy, protect your loved ones, and avoid unnecessary costs and complications down the road.
Contact Georgia N. Kezios today to schedule a consultation. We’ll take the time to understand your needs, answer your questions, and create a plan that truly secures your wishes and protects what matters most.
