What is Estate Planning?

Estate planning allows you to control your property while you are alive, take care of you and your loved ones if you become disabled, and give what you have, to whom you want, the way you want. It also allows you to save every last tax dollar, professional fee and court cost legally possible. An estate plan consists of documents that allow you to provide your instructions in advance. If you do not provide your own instructions, the state and court will decide for you. The documents that carry out your instructions may include, but are not limited to, a trust, a will, a power of attorney, a health care directive, and a living will.

We cannot predict when life events will occur such as illness, accidents and death. Therefore, it is important to take a step in advance by having an estate plan prepared to make sure your wishes surrounding your property and health care are honored, and that your family, partner, and loved ones are provided for. It is also important to provide your loved ones with guidance if they have to make decisions on your behalf during a difficult time. The guidance, instructions, and wishes you want to communicate to your loved ones can be legally and properly documented in your estate plan with the help of a professional.

______________________________________________________________

Christine Ellingsen is a Northern California native now practicing law as an estate planning attorney in Carmel Valley San Diego at the Barger Law Group, APC.  She spent a year in New York working in the business sector before moving to Southern California to attend law school at the University of San Diego.  She is happy to have started her law career in San Diego and to now call Encinitas home, where she keeps busy between exploring Coastal North County and training her new puppy.