Hermance Law is now The Heritance Lawyers.
Learn more about our rebrand.
Estate Planning Law Firm in Ventura and throughout California
Congratulations on taking the next step to getting a plan in place to protect your family. We know it’s hard to think about and just know we are here to make the process as painless and easy for you as possible.
You may be here because you think you need a Will, Trust, Power of Attorney, Health Care Directive, Living Will, Guardian Nomination or maybe all of them together. Or perhaps, you have lost a loved one and need help trying to figure out what the next steps are after they passed away. Do you need a probate attorney or trust administration? What do you do with the will or what if they didn’t have a will? How can you access their bank accounts and what do you do with their home? It can be very confusing and these are all questions that our estate planning attorneys can assist you with.
Hermance Law is now The Heritance Lawyers
Same Team. Same Values.
A name that reflects our growth, our team, and our commitment to supporting families through every stage of life.
Learn more about our updated name and what led us to make the change.
Our Team
Work with a California family estate planning firm that leads with family first. Our children are our motivation, and our parents are our anchors.
With a multilingual and diverse legal team, we understand your needs.
Meet our Attorneys
Are Your Kids Protected if the Unthinkable Happens?
Have you considered who will be appointed guardian for your child in the short- or long-term if something happens to you?
Naming someone a godparent is not enough. Without a concrete plan, someone who may not be your ideal choice will be appointed for you.
There are ways to protect your child while you are alive. Your child’s grandparents or babysitter may know your child’s allergies, but do they have the authorization to make medical decisions at the emergency room?
These are concerns many parents don’t even know they should have. Let’s discuss solutions together.
Our team can provide services to you in
English
Spanish
California Probate Lawyers & Trust Administration Attorneys
Consulting an experienced estate planning attorney committed to easing your burden while defending your interests might be a wise choice at a difficult and strenuous time.
The Heritance Lawyers’ estate planning attorneys are skilled at navigating the Probate Court or Trust Administration process on behalf of our clients. We know how to distribute all the assets to your loved one’s final beneficiaries in the most timely and cost-effective manner. We have handled numerous probate and trust administration situations.
A Full-Service Estate Planning Firm In California
Estate Planning
Establishing who will receive your assets, manage your business, or make health decisions in the event of your death or incapacitation are the processes involved in estate planning.
No matter your age, you ought to have a will, a durable power of attorney for finances, and a medical directive as part of your California estate plan.
Wills
You have worked so hard for your family. Make sure that they stand to benefit by contacting one of our wills attorneys.
Do you have a close relationship with your stepchildren? Without a will, they will be left out. Make things easier for every family member by having a will representing all your wishes.
Trust
A revocable living trust allows you to put in writing, how you would want your assets managed upon your incapacity or passing and how your assets would be distributed to your beneficiaries.
A trust is generally not filed with the probate court keeping it private.
Kids Safeguard System
The Kids Safeguard System® was developed to surpass the requirements of a standard estate plan for children to ensure the children’s safety at all times and to record your wishes for your young children.
As parents, we can conceive every possible concern you could have. We have a solution for them all.
Probate
Probate is the procedure by which a decedent’s will is verified, any outstanding debts paid, and assets distributed to beneficiaries.
The court determines the legitimate heirs of a decedent and how to distribute their assets. We can help with the process, represent you in disputes, and also help you avoid probate altogether.
Trust Administration
We can offer legal counsel and support to help a trustee successfully execute the tasks required for trust administration.
Our services include gathering, managing, and allocating a decedent’s accounts, assets, and other belongings that are titled in a trust and settling any existing debts.
College Safeguard System
Without the proper legal documents, you might not have access to their medical records or the ability to make crucial decisions. Ensure their protection with the College Safeguard System.
Let's Get Real About Your Real Estate
Long-term property ownership rights may be impacted by how you choose to hold title to your real estate. Therefore, choosing the best method of holding title in California for the property in question is crucial if you anticipate purchasing, acquiring, inheriting, or gifting a piece of property.
Maybe you have an understanding of the right of survivorship. But did you know the surviving spouse may be denied significant income tax benefits if the husband and wife are joint tenants? Also, your assets become vulnerable to the claims of your kid’s creditors if you register their names on the title.
Our California real estate probate lawyers here will advise you on the best course of action for you!
We are here to help you
No two families are the same, so no two estate plans will be.
To discuss your custom California estate plan strategy, contact us. Let’s chat. We assure you that you will be able to communicate openly with us in a no-cost consultation, whether in English or Spanish.
Click below to schedule an appointment, or complete the form here. A member of our estate planning team will contact you!
Contact Form
Webinars & Events
Reviews
Resources
We are probate lawyers, but we are also parents. We have great resources on estate planning for parents, focusing on what parents can do to protect their children in emergencies.
View Our Upcoming Events
We are active in the community! We offer online webinars, special get togethers and more.
Watch Informative Vidoes
Get to know the basics and watch our quick videos with tips, questions and answers.
Read Our Blog
Providing you with extra information on how to stay relevant with your Estate.
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Serving Clients Throughout California
Find An Office Location Near You
No two families are the same, so no two estate plans will be.
To discuss your custom California estate plan strategy, contact us. Let’s chat. We assure you that you will be able to communicate openly with us in a no-cost consultation, whether in English or Spanish.
Click below to schedule an appointment, or complete the form here. A member of our estate planning team will contact you!
Ventura
Santa Clarita
Westlake Village
Irvine
Calabasas
Pasadena
FAQ
What happens to inheritance for minors?
If a child inherits a home, note that in California, a minor cannot legally own property until they are 18 years old. If a minor inherits $5,000 or less, the money must be kept in trust until the minor turns 18.
If the inheritance value exceeds $5,000, contact an inheritance lawyer here at Hermance Law for more information.
Who should I appoint as a trustee?
A trustee can be any adult above the age of 18. It is possible to name just one trustee. However, it is typically advised that you name at least two.
Select a candidate with the necessary time, drive, and knowledge to complete the administrative tasks and other requirements required by the position.
There are also specialist trust firms created especially to carry out this function. The California trust attorneys here at Hermance Law assist with creating trusts.
How do I estate plan for minor children?
You can build your estate plan to safeguard your children’s inheritance in the event of unforeseen events in your life.
For your minor children, you can name a guardian to whom you can give precise instructions from you regarding what needs to be done, when, and how. Estate planning for minor children also involves giving medical care and treatment permission.
If your estate plan calls for a California trust attorney, we can help in appointing someone to be in charge of managing your assets for your child.
Will my beneficiaries be taxed?
Generally speaking, California does not tax inheritance. You won’t be required to pay tax on your inheritance if you are a beneficiary. A part of the income from your inheritance may be liable to income tax if it is held in a trust.
Ask an expert California estate planning attorney at Hermance Law for more information on this topic.
Who will take care of my children?
If both parents pass away before the child reaches adulthood, a legal guardian is an adult chosen to take care of the child. You can name legal guardians for your minor children in a will. You must select a guardian so that, in the worst-case scenario, the courts do not act on your behalf.
Speak to a California wills attorney for information on how to do this.
Can my will be challenged?
Your will can be challenged. Wills are frequently challenged because the individual who wrote the will lacked the mental capacity to do so.
As will dispute attorneys, we also see instances where fraud is one motive, along with allegations of force or undue influence when making the will.
If you think one of these may apply to you, consult a California will contest attorney here at Hermance Law.
Why should I avoid probate?
Avoiding probate in California doesn’t mean not drafting a will. Avoiding probate is a deliberate act. The majority of the decedent’s possessions must go through the probate process.
There are a few situations where property and assets can avoid probate. In California, a probate case typically lasts between nine and 24 months, and the process can be costly. It is advised to keep your options open by speaking to a California will contest attorney.
Where should I keep my will, trust, and other estate planning documents?
Ensure that you make copies of the documents. Your estate planning attorney could hold the original documents, if possible, but if you decide to keep them yourself, you should locate a secure place to store them and ensure that your loved ones know where to find them.
Do I need a will or a trust?
Who will manage my assets?
After your passing, the assets in your estate will be managed by the representative for your estate. If you have a will, this will be the executor.
An executor often submits the will for probate, takes measures to safeguard the estate’s assets, distributes assets to recipients, settles the estate’s outstanding obligations, and pays taxes.
