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PLANNING FOR LIFE'S "WHAT-IFS"

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HOLISTIC
ESTATE
PLANNING
SOLUTIONS
FOR EVERY
STAGE OF LIFE.

HOLISTIC ESTATE PLANNING SOLUTIONS FOR EVERY STAGE OF LIFE.

LET'S TALK
Navigating the aftermath of losing a loved one can be overwhelming, confusing, and stressful.

We will guide you through life's transitions so you can enjoy peace of mind, knowing everyone and everything you care about is protected.

Trust in our dedication, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to preserving your legacy.

We’ll provide a caring and comfortable experience throughout your estate planning journey.

EMPATHETIC GUIDANCE

Joanna understands that estate planning is not just about legal documents; it's about safeguarding your loved ones' future and preserving your legacy. With empathy at the core of her approach, she provides compassionate guidance through the emotional complexities of estate planning, ensuring your peace of mind every step of the way.

transparent communication

Transparency and trust are the cornerstones of Joanna's practice. She takes the time to listen and understand your goals, concerns, and aspirations. By offering clear explanations of the estate planning process, potential outcomes, and fees, Joanna fosters open and honest communication, empowering you to make informed decisions for your family's future.

Personalized Strategies

With Joanna as your trusted advocate, you can expect personalized estate plans tailored to your unique circumstances. She collaborates closely with you, your family members, and other professional advisors to create comprehensive strategies that protect your assets, minimize tax implications, and ensure a smooth transition of wealth. Rest assured, your estate planning journey will be handled with the utmost care and professionalism.

frequently asked questions

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WHAT IS ESTATE PLANNING?

Estate planning involves the management and distribution of your assets and planning for incapacity. An estate plan consists of legal documents that put someone else in charge of your assets in case you lose physical or mental capacity and instructions for how to distribute your assets after you pass away.

WHO NEEDS AN ESTATE PLAN?

Almost everyone should have an estate plan. Believe it or not, you have an estate. In fact, nearly everyone does. Your estate is comprised of everything you own— your car, home, other real estate, checking and savings accounts, investments, life insurance, furniture, personal possessions.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON’T HAVE AN ESTATE PLAN?

Without a proper estate plan, California has a process to dispose of your assets. Unless you choose to plan, California has already chosen a plan for you. This plan is called PROBATE.

WHAT IS PROBATE?

PROBATE is a legal term that comes from the Latin word for “to prove.” Basically, probate is the judicial process of proving the rightful heirs of an estate.

Probate begins the administration of an estate after the owner's passing. For the probate process to happen, someone needs to be appointed to oversee the deceased person's estate distribution. This person will either be named by the Will (if there is one) or a court will appoint him or her. Often, it’s a spouse, adult child, another family member or a close friend.

Probate is a time-consuming stressful process. It can range anywhere from nine months to several years. On average, most probates can be settled in about a year and a half, but again, a lot of factors come into play. Some things you can expect are that you and your family will experience loss of privacy and control and pay expensive administration costs (4-10% of gross estate). Everything is public and requires court approval.

CAN A WILL AVOID PROBATE?

NO! A will does not transfer property or retitle assets after someone passes away, so probate may be necessary before assets can be distributed to the beneficiaries.

In California, an estate may be able to avoid going through the probate process if:
- The estate value doesn’t exceed the small estate threshold.
- There is a Living Trust, and any assets outside it are valued at less than the small estate threshold (currently $184,500)
- Assets are set up to pass directly to beneficiaries (POD or TOD account)

WHAT IS A LIVING TRUST?

A living trust is a legal document that details your wishes about the property held in the trust and how to distribute them to your beneficiaries.

A trust also avoids the costly and time-consuming process of probate because it is a private contract that transfers ownership of your property so the court does not have to.

The legal contract of a trust is made by a person called the TRUSTOR, (sometimes called grantor or settlor) appointing a person or company to manage assets for the benefit of another person. The person managing the assets is called the TRUSTEE and the person entitled to receive the assets is called the BENEFICIARY.

What is an Advance Healthcare Directive?

An Advance Healthcare Directive is a legal document that outlines an individual's preferences and instructions regarding their medical treatment in case they become unable to communicate or make decisions. It often includes details about life-sustaining treatments, organ donation, and appoints a healthcare proxy to make decisions on their behalf. It helps ensure that a person's medical wishes are respected when they are unable to express them.

Advance directives aren't just for older adults. Unexpected end-of-life situations can happen at any age, so it's important for all adults to prepare these documents!

WHAT IS A LIVING TRUST?

A living trust is a legal document that details your wishes about the property held in the trust and how to distribute them to your beneficiaries.

A trust also avoids the costly and time-consuming process of probate because it is a private contract that transfers ownership of your property so the court does not have to.

The legal contract of a trust is made by a person called the TRUSTOR, (sometimes called grantor or settlor) appointing a person or company to manage assets for the benefit of another person. The person managing the assets is called the TRUSTEE and the person entitled to receive the assets is called the BENEFICIARY.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A WILL AND A TRUST?

The main differences between wills and living trusts are what they can include and how they’re managed. However, both are key estate planning tools meant to protect and distribute assets to your loved ones.

A will is strictly concerned with what happens to your assets after you die but doesn’t house your assets in the meantime. On the other hand, a living trust holds your assets until a predetermined time and provides instructions for how they’ll be managed and distributed. Additionally, wills are subject to probate court. This means, while you may have outlined how you want your assets to be distributed, the decision is still ultimately up to the court. A living trust typically allows you to bypass probate court and distribute your assets exactly how you wish.

However, a will provides the opportunity to name a guardian for any minor children or dependents, designate power of attorney, and outline end-of-life wishes. A living trust doesn’t afford you these options.

WHAT SHOULD AN ESTATE PLAN INCLUDE?

A Basic Estate Plan Should Contain:

· REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST that allows you to transfer your assets while avoiding probate, which saves your family time and money by not having to go through a court process to transfer your assets when you pass.

· LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT that "pours over" property into a trust when the will maker dies. A pour-over will is intended to guarantee that any assets which somehow were not included in the trust become assets of the trust upon the party's death.

· DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY that designates someone to manage your day-to-day financial and legal affairs. This person can be authorized to receive income, write checks, pay expenses, file your income taxes, and more

· ADVANCE HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVE that lets you put someone in charge of making healthcare decisions on your behalf and allows you to say which medical treatments you would or would not want to receive if you couldn't make your own choices.

WHERE DO I START WITH ESTATE PLANNING?

Consult an experienced estate planning attorney who will most likely have an in-take consultation to discuss your goals, assets, beneficiaries, change of life circumstances to specifically tailor an estate plan to meet your specific needs.

CAN I CREATE A WILL OR TRUST ON MY OWN AND SAVE THE LEGAL COSTS?

“Do-it-yourself” wills often do not contain all of the necessary components as required by law and are frequently ruled invalid by the courts. A vaguely worded clause can result in lengthy legal battles.

Anyone who might benefit from the invalidation of your will can contest it, and if the courts decide in his or her favor your estate may be required to cover all legal costs. Remember, the few dollars you save now can cost your loved ones thousands of dollars later.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I UPDATE MY TRUST/ESTATE PLAN?

Although there is no hard and fast rule on how often you should update your trust, conducting an annual review of the trust and asset schedule is recommended. In most situations, updates are typically needed every 3-5 years.

Circumstances change. There will always be changes in the law – especially the tax laws. There are also going to be changes in your family situation or make-up and your assets will change over time. Being proactive is worth its weight in gold and will ensure your true intentions are followed down the line.

Is Estate Planning Expensive?

Estate planning is not expensive compared to probate, where a $1M FMV home may result in $46,000 of combined attorney’s and personal representative fees, or 5% of the estate. Not to mention, a typical probate can take 18-24 months and is a matter of public record.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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FOUNDER'S
image of founder Joanna De Vos.

I’m a beautifully written heading

We are thrilled to have the opportunity to share our extensive knowledge and expertise in estate planning with you.

Our goal is to assist in creating a customized plan that perfectly aligns with your unique needs and circumstances.

In the meantime, please provide your information below, and we will reach out to you promptly. We’re delighted to help you safeguard your legacy for future generations.
Joanna de Vos
NOTE
JOANNA DE VOS
PRINCIPAL/FOUNDER
SCHEDULE A SESSION
My path to practicing estate planning law was not a traditional one—it was inspired by personal loss and hardship. My mother lost her battle with colon cancer in 1998 while I was in law school. She had made no plans regarding her estate up until her diagnosis and was not able to seek guidance from a family trust attorney in time to protect our family with comfort and ease. My mother’s failure to plan left us in a state of emotional distress and family conflict that could have been prevented.

It was through this experience that I learned first-hand the value of having an estate plan to avoid family conflict and emotional distress. Inspired to ensure that others don’t have the same difficult process as our family had, I purposed to become an attorney who would provide my clients the guidance and support they need to create an estate plan that not only safeguards their wealth but also preserves the future of family relationships holistically.
As a holistic estate planning attorney, I recognize that your family dynamics, assets, and legacy are interwoven. They are also essential elements for creating a road map that will help your family honor your values and choices in the event of illness, incapacity, or death. I strive to educate my clients about their options to ensure that their plan meets the needs of their changing lives and leaves a legacy of love in the future for their families. I work with you, your family, and your advisors to design an integrated planning strategy that meets to ensure that your loved ones are protected, and your legacy is preserved. My clients know that they can count on caring compassionate service and won't be sent out the door with “documents."

OVER FIFTEEN YEARS OF TRUSTED LEGAL EXPERIENCE

PERSONAL ATTENTION + INSIGHTFUL LEGAL GUIDANCE

STRONG NAVIGATION THROUGH PLANNING + PROBATE

MEMBERSHIPS AND AFFILIATIONS

State Bar of California
Member, San Diego County Bar Association
Section on Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Law
Member, Probate Attorneys of San Diego

Education

Education

Loyola Marymount University (1994), Bachelor of Arts, English
Magna Cum Laude

Whittier College School of Law (2001), Juris Doctor

FOUNDER'S
NOTE
We are thrilled to have the opportunity to share our extensive knowledge and expertise in estate planning with you.

Our goal is to assist in creating a customized plan that perfectly aligns with your unique needs and circumstances.

In the meantime, please provide your information below, and we will reach out to you promptly. We’re delighted to help you safeguard your legacy for future generations.
Joanna de Vos
image of founder Joanna De Vos.
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