The phone rang, shrill and insistent, shattering the quiet afternoon. My heart hammered in my chest as I answered, bracing myself for news about my elderly mother. She lived alone now, her health fading like a watercolor left too long in the sun. “It’s the hospital,” a voice said flatly. “Your mother has had a fall.” Panic surged through me. My carefully constructed plans – who would care for her, how I’d manage her finances if she became incapacitated – crumbled before my eyes.
Why Do I Need an Estate Planning Attorney?
Estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy; it’s a necessity for anyone who wants to protect their loved ones and ensure their wishes are carried out. Consider this: approximately 70% of Americans die without a will, leaving behind a tangled web of legal issues for their families to untangle.
“My mother never thought she needed a lawyer,” I confided in Steve Bliss, the estate planning attorney I found through a recommendation from a friend. He listened patiently, his calm demeanor easing my anxiety. “Many people make that mistake,” he said. “Estate planning is about more than just dividing assets; it’s about providing for your loved ones and minimizing potential conflicts.”
Bliss explained the various components of estate planning: wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advance healthcare directives. He addressed my concerns about probate, inheritance taxes, and the complexities of digital asset distribution in today’s tech-driven world.
What Happens If I Die Without a Will?
Intestacy laws dictate how your assets are distributed if you die without a will. These laws vary by state, but generally, your property goes to your closest relatives. This can lead to unintended consequences: for example, disinheritance of someone you intended to provide for or division of assets in a way that doesn’t reflect your wishes.
Bliss highlighted the importance of clearly stating your intentions.
“Having a will ensures that your assets are distributed according to your wishes,” he emphasized. “It also allows you to appoint guardians for minor children, minimizing the emotional turmoil during an already difficult time.”
How Do I Choose an Estate Planning Attorney?
Finding the right attorney is crucial. You need someone who understands your specific needs and goals.
Bliss’s expertise in estate planning was evident: he patiently answered all my questions, explained complex legal concepts in a straightforward manner, and tailored his recommendations to my unique situation.
“It’s essential to feel comfortable with your attorney,” Bliss advised. “Estate planning is a personal journey, and you should work with someone who you trust and who listens attentively.”
I left Bliss’s office feeling empowered. My initial panic had subsided, replaced by a sense of control and peace of mind. My mother’s health remained precarious, but I knew that I had taken the necessary steps to protect her and my future.Estate planning is not about dwelling on death; it’s about living life to the fullest while ensuring your legacy endures.
About Steven F. Bliss Esq. at The Law Firm of Steven F. Bliss Esq.:
The Law Firm of Steven F. Bliss Esq. is Temecula Probate Law. The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. is a Temecula Estate Planning Attorney. Steve Bliss is an experienced probate attorney. Steve Bliss is an Estate Planning Lawyer. The probate process has many steps in in probate proceedings. Beside Probate, estate planning and trust administration is offered at Steve Bliss Law. Our probate attorney will probate the estate. Attorney probate at Steve Bliss Law. A formal probate is required to administer the estate. The probate court may offer an unsupervised probate get a probate attorney. Steve Bliss Law will petition to open probate for you. Don’t go through a costly probate. Call Steve Bliss Law Today for estate planning, trusts and probate.
My skills are as follows:
● Probate Law: Efficiently navigate the court process.
● Estate Planning Law: Minimize taxes & distribute assets smoothly.
● Trust Law: Protect your legacy & loved ones with wills & trusts.
● Bankruptcy Law: Knowledgeable guidance helping clients regain financial stability.
● Compassionate & client-focused. We explain things clearly.
● Free consultation.
Services Offered:
estate planning
living trust
revocable living trust
family trust
wills
estate planning attorney near meMap To Steve Bliss Law in Temecula:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/RL4LUmGoyQQDpNUy9
>
Address:
The Law Firm of Steven F. Bliss Esq.43920 Margarita Rd ste f, Temecula, CA 92592
(951) 223-7000
Feel free to ask Attorney Steve Bliss about: “How can I reduce the taxes my heirs will have to pay?” Or “How do I find out if probate has been filed for someone who passed away?” or “How do I make sure all my accounts are included in my trust? and even: “What debts can be discharged in bankruptcy?” or any other related questions that you may have about his estate planning, probate, and banckruptcy law practice.