Los Angeles County Estate Planning Lawyer

Trusted Estate Planning Attorney in Los Angeles County

Making a plan to protect your assets and wishes is perhaps one of the most important legal decisions you can make in your life, but unfortunately, many people pass away without these plans. From what to do with your house after you’re gone to deciding who should make healthcare choices if you’re incapacitated, a Los Angeles County estate planning lawyer can be a valuable resource.

At Sakamoto & Ruelas, APC, we’re devoted to providing caring advice to all of our clients. We use our extensive estate planning experience to help you build plans that you’ll feel good about.

Wills and Trusts: The Common Estate Plans

Many people with estate plans will have a will, a trust, or both. These plans lay out your wishes for what to do with your assets after you pass, but they are handled a bit differently.

Creating a Will

A will, or last will and testament, is a document that states your wishes for your estate when you pass. In a will, you might also specify:

• Who should be the executor of your will
• Guardianship of any children
• Plans for beloved pets
• Charitable organizations to donate part of your estate to

When someone dies and they have a will, their estate must then go through California’s probate process. The Stanley Mosk Courthouse in Downtown LA handles probate cases for all of Los Angeles County. Last year, this division of the California Superior Court had nearly 10,000 probate and other estate filings.

In this process, the state names a person to execute the terms of your will. Any taxes, debts, or other legal considerations are also handled while your estate is being divided.

Trusts: More Privacy

One major downside of wills is that probate is a very public process, and some people prefer to keep their estate out of the public eye.

Trusts offer a way to do this, along with other benefits. With a trust, you place specific assets into the trust while you are still alive. There are two main types of trusts:

• Revocable trusts allow you to continue to access and modify the trust throughout your life.
• Irrevocable trusts do not. Once you place an asset into the trust, you relinquish ownership, and it is managed by the named trustee.

Comprehensive Estate Plans

For many people, having just one document doesn’t cover everything they want. Even if you have a trust, you might also want a will to cover assets not placed in the trust.

The most important part of estate planning is determining what your goals are, so your plans can match them. Our attorneys can help you clarify those goals, and show you the options you have to make them a reality. Wills and trusts are only two forms of estate planning, and you may want to consider all your options before committing to a plan.

Hire an Estate Planning Lawyer for Thorough Plans

No matter how simple your estate may seem, managing and distributing it after your death will likely not be simple. While you can create some estate plans, such as a will, without legal advice, these plans can be easily challenged in court. Working with an attorney helps you properly protect your goals and make plans that align with your wishes.

In 2025, one comprehensive survey found that only 24% of adults had a will and 13% had created a trust. Without these plans, decisions on how to deal with your estate ultimately fall to the state, and will likely not align with what you want.

A Los Angeles County estate planning attorney can help you create legally sound, thorough plans that don’t leave out important pieces of your estate. They can also provide other support, helping you figure out your goals, consider healthcare options, and more. Our attorneys are here to help you with the entire estate planning process.

FAQs

What Is the Average Cost for Estate Planning in California?

Estate planning costs can vary greatly, and there is not enough data to have a consistent average cost. The complexity of your estate, along with what type of plans you want to create, can affect the final cost. This cost can help you prevent future legal disputes and protect your estate from excessive taxes and public scrutiny.

What Is the 5 by 5 Rule in Estate Planning?

The 5 by 5 rule grants the beneficiary of a trust the right to withdraw up to $5,000 or 5% of the total value of the trust each year, whichever is higher. This rule is not always used, but is a common way of handling trusts to help protect their value even after the creator has passed.

Who Is the Ideal Person to Talk to About Estate Planning?

Talking to a professional estate planning attorney can be a great way to further your plans. Attorneys with experience in estate planning often know more about the relevant laws and potential complications than others would. When you want to create a will, trust, or other plan, hire an estate planning lawyer to help you do it right.

What Are Common Mistakes to Avoid in Estate Planning?

Common mistakes to avoid in estate planning include leaving out significant assets, neglecting to update plans, and not working with a lawyer. Estate plans won’t always automatically update after a life change such as a divorce, so it’s important that you revise your plans when needed to reflect changes in your life and goals.

Estate Planning Professionals at Sakamoto & Ruelas, APC

The estate planning lawyers at our firm have more than 25 years of combined experience in this specific facet of the law. Some of our attorneys have spent most or all of their careers focused on estate and probate matters.

Creating estate plans with an experienced attorney can make a world of difference. We can help you translate your goals into a solid plan that complies with all the necessary laws and regulations. If you’re not sure what plan would be right for you, we can help you figure that out.

Contact our office today to schedule a consultation and tell us more about your estate planning needs.