Monrovia Estate Planning Lawyer

Many people assume that estate planning is only relevant to the wealthy. That’s a mistake. Almost everyone can benefit from planning for the future and ensuring that their families are provided for. No one understands the nuances of this process better than a Monrovia estate planning attorney.

The law firm of Robert G. Petrovich, Attorney at Law, has been working with clients to draft documents like last wills and testaments and trust agreements for decades. We know how to avoid probate and ensure that your final wishes are honored by your heirs or beneficiaries, no matter how much or how little you are leaving to them.

Why Hire an Estate Planning Attorney?

When you hire an estate planning attorney, you’re taking an important step toward protecting your legacy. A Monrovia estate planning lawyer has the experience and attention to detail required to draft essential documents correctly, avoid probate, and minimize estate tax.

It’s not just your heirs who will benefit from your decision to work with an estate planning attorney. You’ll also be able to take advantage of the added peace of mind of knowing that every detail is covered.

What Estate Planning Attorneys Do

Estate planning attorneys help clients draft the documents that determine their end-of-life care plans and what happens to any inheritance following their deaths. There’s more to this process than just writing down what someone wants. The language has to be precise, and every detail must be captured appropriately. Here’s what estate planning lawyers can do to help:

• Draft documents. Estate planning attorneys draft relevant documents, including last wills and testaments, living wills, powers of attorney, and trust agreements. Not everyone needs all of these documents, but all Monrovia residents can benefit from having a formal plan in place to determine their end-of-life care and how their assets will be dispersed.
• Designate beneficiaries and transfer property. Designated beneficiaries are the people you select to receive assets or property following your death. Your estate planning attorney can help you determine how to divide up assets among loved ones and transfer property without having to go through probate.
• Minimize estate tax. Experienced estate planning attorneys have a deep understanding not just of estate planning laws but also of tax planning. While state and federal estate taxes are only levied on large estates, they can have a dramatic impact on what’s left for your beneficiaries. Your estate planning lawyer can help you minimize the tax burden.
• Establish legal guardianship. Parents of minor children need to include information in their wills about who will become their legal guardian should they pass away. An estate planning attorney understands how to draft your will in a way that conforms to California’s requirements.
• Avoid probate court. Probate is a long, expensive process, so it’s wise to avoid it whenever possible. An estate planning attorney can keep most of your property out of probate by storing assets in a living trust or gifting them to beneficiaries under the Unified Gift and Estate Tax.
• Address contested wills. If your will is contested following your death, your estate planning attorney can help. They’ll have everything documented and will be able to address any issues that come up.

Who Needs Estate Planning Services?

Only 32% of American adults have wills, with 42% of respondents in one survey citing as their reason that they “just haven’t gotten around to it.” You don’t have to be one of the many procrastinators.

Among those who do have estate plans in place, many are outdated. For example, up to 85% of successful business owners have estate plans in place that are outdated and will not hold up to scrutiny following their deaths. An estate planning lawyer can draft or update documents to ensure that all of your property and assets are distributed according to your final wishes.

If you’re wondering whether you really need to draft a will or other estate planning documents, the answer is almost certainly yes. If you own any assets or have a family, meeting with an estate planning attorney now will substantially benefit those loved ones who make your life so meaningful later.

While everyone should have a last will and testament, not all Monrovia residents need a full estate plan. Taking this step is most important if you have an estate that exceeds the estate tax exclusion, which in 2025 is $13,990,000.

Estate plans also help to protect your privacy. If your estate goes to probate court, any relative or creditor can request your probate records to challenge your will, leading to a significant loss of post-mortem privacy.

Living Wills and Powers of Attorney

Not all of the documents drafted by estate planning attorneys apply to the period following your death. Living wills and powers of attorney both impact your life directly.

A living will is a health care directive that informs doctors and other relevant parties what you want if you suffer a debilitating injury or illness. In these sorts of tragic circumstances, it’s often impossible for people to share what they want in terms of care. Having a living will in place will ensure that your wishes are followed in an end-of-life situation.

A power of attorney is a document that designates an agent who can make important decisions on your behalf in the event that you are incapacitated. Your estate planning lawyer can help you understand the various types of power of attorney and determine which one meets your legal needs. Once it’s finalized, you can file your power of attorney with the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s office.

Your Monrovia Estate Planning Attorney

Whether you’re interested in establishing a trust or drafting a simple will, a Monrovia estate planning attorney can help you accomplish that goal with less stress. Robert G. Petrovich, Attorney at Law, has many years of experience helping clients across the net-worth spectrum establish plans that ensure their wishes will be followed when they pass away. We can help you, too. Contact us to schedule an initial consultation today.