Forms

Estate Planning FAQ's

Question 1: What are the basic goals of Estate Planning?

Answer 1: In general, one looks to accomplish three goals:

1. Set up a "game plan" to handle one's assets in the event of death or disability (for example, providing that your estate would be distributed to your children);
2. Minimize estate tax; and
3. Avoid probate.


Question 2: How do I get started?

Answer 2: Getting started is easy. First, contact our office to schedule an appointment. At that appointment, Zeb will review your present situation taking into account what you would like to do with your estate. If you agree with Zeb's recommendations, we can assist you with your estate planning needs. Your second step would be to sign an engagement letter (if married, both parties must sign the engagement letter as well as a conflict waiver). You will then be given an estate planning questionnaire to fill out which provides us with the detail necessary to prepare the estate planning documents. Upon receipt of the above, we will begin the estate planning process.

Answer 3: Yes! Please complete our Client Information Sheet and contact our office. We can normally prepare an engagement letter within 24 hours. If you are able to completely fill out our firm's Estate Planning Questionnaire, (found below) we can normally provide you with draft documents within a few days. If your matter is particularly urgent, feel free to contact our office and explain the situation. An entire Estate Plan can be completed within a few hours if necessary.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Business Planning FAQ's

Question 1: Why should I use your firm to set up my business, rather than one of the online web sites, which are less expensive?

Answer 1: In a nutshell, you "get what you pay for." Our Firm has tried several of the leading online web sites to form businesses (in order to test the service) and have found the results mixed. Some services provide documentation that would be sufficient to meet certain clients' needs. For example, if no litigation is ever anticipated, and there are no business partners, the need for extensive legal documents is much less.

Question 2: What if I am forming a business outside of the State of California?

Answer 2: If you are interested in incorporating or forming a business in any state, a good place to start would be to check out the relevant state's Secretary of State website. For a complete listing of Secretary of State links, click here.

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Forms

Below are various forms used by our office; please review (and complete, if necessary) the appropriate form if you so desire.  This may make your visit with us more time expedient. 

Estate Planning Questionnaire - Married Form

Estate Planning Questionnaire - Single Person Form 
 
Estate Planning Questionnaire - Single Person with No Children Form
 
Documents to bring with you to your initial meeting 

Corporate Formation Questionnaire

LLC Formation Questionnaire

Trust Administration Checklist - At First Death
 
Trust Administration Checklist - At Second Death 


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           


Sample Wills of the Famous

John F. Kennedy's Will

Jacqueline K. Onassis' Will

George Steinbrenner III's Will

Walter E. Disney's Will

Anna Nicole Smith's Will

Leona Helmsley's Will

Michael Jackson's Will 

George Washington's Will

Elvis Presley's Will