Rocklin Wills Lawyer
Rocklin Wills Attorney
A will is one of the most important estate planning documents you can create. Most people understand the function of a will as a means to divide your assets upon your death. However, there is much more to this document than meets the eye. Wills are incredibly powerful documents when used to their full potential. Understanding the basics can help you to establish a will that can carry out your final wishes.
Unfortunately, many wills made without attorneys are invalidated during the probate process, leaving families at the mercy of the state’s intestacy laws. When you work with a Rocklin wills attorney, you know that your will is legally valid and can work with maximum efficacy. Our team of Rocklin property attorneys can help you to determine what’s right for you and for your family and draft a will that meets those needs.
A Rocklin Wills Attorney You Can Trust Call (916) 773-6100
McCunn Law: Your Rocklin Wills and Property Lawyers
When it comes to estate planning, including will and trust creation, no one in the Rocklin area has more experience than the team at McCunn Law. Our firm has been helping clients draft wills for over fifteen years, and our attorneys have over 40 years of combined experience. As a result, we have a thorough understanding of how wills function and can create a will that truly works for you. Whether your estate plan is straightforward or complex, we have the expertise to help.
What Is a Will?
Wills are legal documents that outline what should happen to your assets when you pass away. Your assets may include material goods like a home, business, car, collectibles, as well as financial assets, accounts, and more. Wills frequently include plans for custody or guardianship of any minor children or other dependents. In this way, will documents ensure that the right people receive your assets and that your children are raised and supported by someone you trust.
Your will should also name an executor. This person carries out the wishes outlined in the will and oversees the distribution of assets and the payment of any debts or taxes. If you wish to create a trust to hold certain assets as part of your estate plan, you may also use your will to outline who should be your trustee upon your death. This person will administrate the trust and ensure its contents reach the right beneficiaries.
There are often other documents that go along with your will to form a comprehensive estate plan. With the help of a Rocklin property lawyer and estate planning lawyer, you can create documents such as trusts, powers of attorney, health care directives, and more. However, these documents must be created separately from your will document.
Naming an Executor
As mentioned, after your death, your executor will attend probate court to ensure your will is rendered valid by a probate judge. This individual will also work to identify your assets, dispose of property, distribute property and assets to your beneficiaries, and pay any remaining debt or taxes owed by your estate. If you fail to name an executor in your will, the state will appoint an administrator. Unfortunately, this situation can put undue and unexpected pressure on one of your loved ones.
When you name an executor in your will document, you can speak with them in advance and inform them that you would like them to take on this duty after your death. Your executor will then be prepared for their responsibilities in the event of your death. The executor you choose should be trustworthy, honest, and understand how you would like to carry out the wishes outlined in your will.
Naming Beneficiaries
The primary purpose of a will is to name beneficiaries. However, some people believe that a will isn’t necessary since when a person dies intestate (without a will), the state will distribute assets and pay debts during the probate process. Unfortunately, the state pays little attention to the real-life relationships between the decedent and their beneficiaries. State intestacy laws dictate the distribution of assets to the next of kin, but there are many situations where this isn’t preferable.
For example, say you and your spouse had one child before your spouse passed away. You then remarried and neglected to create a will to distribute your assets according to your wishes. If you die, your entire estate will go to your second spouse as your next of kin, and your child will get nothing. If they’re lucky, they will receive your assets once their stepparent dies. However, once the stepparent owns your assets, they can then will them to their own children or relatives.
Without a will, you risk your intended beneficiaries losing all rights to your estate. Outlining your beneficiaries in a will with the help of a Rocklin property attorney is the first step to protecting your loved ones after your death.
Making Changes or Updates to Your Will
Many people live for years or even decades between the creation of their will and their death. During this time, circumstances can easily change, resulting in additional assets, beneficiaries, and other decisions that can affect the contents of a will. In addition, if you have included individuals in your will who died before you, the process to distribute your assets becomes much more complicated. If your circumstances have changed, you can alter or update your will with the help of a legal representative.
You may make a change to:
- Add or remove a beneficiary
- Add, change, or remove your executor
- Update property holdings and assets
Many people seek to make a change in their will after they get married, get divorced, have children, or suffer a loss. The more your will reflects your current circumstances when you die, the more help it will be to your family and beneficiaries. As a result, it’s best to review your will after every major life event or every ten years if no major events occur in the meantime.
Contact Us
It’s never too early to draft a will. These documents can have a significant positive impact on your family, making the probate process swifter and streamlining the distribution of your assets. For expert guidance regarding will creation as well as comprehensive estate planning, you can trust the Rocklin wills lawyers at McCunn Law. Contact us today to request a consultation.
Why Choose McCunn Law
Our methods for handling business owner divorce and family law issues are unique. We offer legal assistance for a range of family law cases, including:
- Adoption
- Business Owner Divorce
- Child Custody
- Child Support
- Child Support Modification
- Cohabitation Agreement
- Debt Resolution
- Divorce
- Domestic Partnership
- Domestic Violence Restraining Order
- Family Business
- Family Residence
- High Asset Divorce
- Inheritance Dispute
- Legal Separation
- Paternity
- Premarital Agreement
- Property Division
- Retirement Benefit Division
- Spousal Support
- Visitation Agreements
Mr. McCunn specializes in a holistic, project management approach which empowers you to make your own decisions throughout the process. He has a reputation as a peacemaker and his honest and pragmatic attitude towards divorce and other family law issues ensures you only pay for the services you need during your case.
“McCunn Law is a high-quality and highly knowledgeable legal team. I went into a consultation regarding child custody and was extremely happy with the plan and ultimately the results of my case. They create a plan with the client’s needs and wants in mind. Drummond is also great working with regarding what kind of budget a client would be able to afford. If I have any more legal needs in the future this is the office I will use every time.”
“McCunn Law is a high-quality and highly knowledgeable legal team. I went into a consultation regarding child custody and was extremely happy with the plan and ultimately the results of my case. They create a plan with the client’s needs and wants in mind. Drummond is also great working with regarding what kind of budget a client would be able to afford. If I have any more legal needs in the future this is the office I will use every time.”
“McCunn Law is a high-quality and highly knowledgeable legal team. I went into a consultation regarding child custody and was extremely happy with the plan and ultimately the results of my case. They create a plan with the client’s needs and wants in mind. Drummond is also great working with regarding what kind of budget a client would be able to afford. If I have any more legal needs in the future this is the office I will use every time.”