Practice area
Wills and guardians
A will names who raises your children and who inherits what you own. Without one, California law and a judge decide.
What a will does
A will names a for your minor children, an to carry it out, and who inherits what you own.
Who it's for
Parents of young children, and anyone without a home or large accounts who mainly needs to name people.
What's included
The will package covers everything most families need:
- Your will, naming a guardian and an executor
- A two-page summary in plain language
The limit of a will
A will does not avoid . If you own a home in California, ask us about a living trust.
Naming a guardian for our girls was the conversation we kept avoiding. She made it feel like a decision, not a disaster.
Sample review written for this demo site. Not from a real client. This testimonial or endorsement does not constitute a guarantee, warranty, or prediction regarding the outcome of your legal matter.
Plain-language glossary
guardian
The adult you choose to raise your children if both parents die. If you don't name one, a judge decides.
Plain-language glossary
executor
The person who carries out your will: pays final bills and distributes what's left.
Plain-language glossary
durable power of attorney
Names someone to handle your money and paperwork if you can't. 'Durable' means it keeps working if you become ill.
Plain-language glossary
advance health care directive
Names who speaks to your doctors if you can't, and records what care you do and don't want.
Plain-language glossary
probate
The court process that settles an estate when there is no trust. In California it often takes a year or more, and the fees are set by law.
Will and guardianship
The conversation we kept avoiding
We have two daughters and no plan. My husband's sister or my brother? We'd never said it out loud.
Ms. Ashby-Reyes asked questions we hadn't thought of: who lives close to the girls' school, who shares our values, who could manage the money, and whether that should be the same person.
We signed the wills in Spanish and English the same afternoon.
Sample client, Glendale
Sample review written for this demo site. Not from a real client.
This testimonial or endorsement does not constitute a guarantee, warranty, or prediction regarding the outcome of your legal matter.