Estate planning is the process of creating a plan for how your assets will be managed and distributed after your death. It involves making important decisions about who will inherit your property, who will be responsible for managing your affairs, and how your assets will be distributed.
Estate planning typically involves the creation of legal documents such as wills, trusts, and powers of attorney, as well as the designation of beneficiaries for assets such as retirement accounts and life insurance policies. The goal of estate planning is to ensure that your wishes are carried out after your death and that your assets are distributed in a way that is consistent with your values and priorities.
Estate planning can also involve making plans for incapacity, such as designating a trusted individual to make medical decisions on your behalf if you become unable to do so.
Living Trust
Creating a living trust is a smart way to protect your assets, avoid probate, and ensure that your loved ones are taken care of in the event of your incapacitation or death. With a living trust, you retain control of your assets during your lifetime. While ensuring your loved ones avoid the costly and time-consuming process of probate. A trust also enables you to specify how your assets will be distributed and managed after your passing, ensuring that your wishes are carried out.
At UCES, we help you create a customized living trust that meets your unique needs and provides peace of mind for you and your loved ones. We meet with our clients in the privacy of their own homes and hand deliver each one of our trusts.
Our Cost vs. Others
The cost of creating a living trust in California can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the complexity of your estate, the size of your assets, and the level of customization you require.
Average California Cost
When drafted by an attorney
Trust
Will
Powers of Attorney (Healthcare/Financial)
Homestead
Notary
Recording Fee (LA County)
$2000 – $7000
$400 – $700
$295
$35
$180 per person + Travel Fee
$29 – $180*
TOTAL: $2910 – $8390
DIY?
Do it yourself – Internet DIY Service
Trust / Will
Notary
Recording Fee (LA County)
~$1000
$180 per person + Travel Fee
$29 – $180*
TOTAL: $1240 – $1,360
While it may seem convenient and cost-effective to use an online DIY service to draft a trust, there are several risks associated with this approach. Trusts are legal documents that carry significant legal and financial implications, and a mistake or oversight in the drafting process can have serious consequences for you and your beneficiaries. Without the guidance of an experienced attorney, you may not fully understand the legal implications of your decisions or be aware of important legal requirements that must be met.
Our Cost
Drafted by an attorney
The Complete Estate Planning Package
Includes : Trust, Pour-over Will, Certification and Abstract of Trust, Powers of Attorney (Healthcare and Financial), HIPAA Documents, Deed of Primary Residence, Subjective Intent to Return Home, Notary, Declaration of Homestead, Assignment of Property, Estate Planning Letter and Instructions
Recording Fee (LA County)
$2500*
$29 – $180**
TOTAL: $2560 – $2680
*Additional charges may apply for certain legal documents such as special needs trusts or non-citizen trusts. We’ll communicate any potential charges upfront for transparency.
**This is the average cost for your primary residence. Subsequent properties will each have their own recording fees and deed fee. Each county and state has different fees and costs.
UCES charges $100 per subsequent deed + recording fees
United California Estate Services 