Keep your home, your savings, and your family out of probate.

What you get

A complete estate planning package — not just a trust document. Everything below is included:

• Revocable Living Trust agreement — the centerpiece document
• Pour-over will — a safety net for any asset that didn't make it into the trust
• Durable Power of Attorney — financial decisions if you can't make them yourself
• Advance Health Care Directive — medical decisions and end-of-life wishes
• HIPAA authorization — so your loved ones can access your medical information
• Certification of Trust — a short version you can hand to banks and title companies without exposing the full document
• Property deed transferred into the trust — prepared, recorded with San Joaquin County, and confirmed

How it works

1. Free consultation

   We talk about what you own, who you want to take care of, and what you want to happen. About 30 minutes, in person or by phone. No cost, no pressure.

2. Information gathering

   I send you a simple worksheet to fill out: assets, beneficiaries, successor trustee, healthcare agent. Everything I need to draft your documents correctly.

3. Document preparation

   I prepare all the documents listed above, tailored to your situation, typically within 2 weeks.

4. Review & signing

   We sit down together, go through every document, and you sign. I provide the notary service so you don't need to chase one down separately.

5. Funding the trust

   I prepare and record the deed that transfers your real property into the trust with the San Joaquin County Recorder, and give you written guidance on retitling bank and brokerage accounts.

6. You're done

   You leave with a complete trust folder, the recorded deed, and a clear understanding of what to do (and what not to do) going forward.

Pricing

Flat fees, no hourly billing, no surprises. Choose the option that matches your situation.

Add-ons & standalone documents

• Additional deed (beyond the 2 included in the bundle) — $250
• Trust Amendment (update an existing trust) — $200
• Standalone Will — $125
• Advance Health Care Directive — $150
• Durable Power of Attorney — $150

Recording fees charged by the San Joaquin County Recorder are additional and paid directly to the county (typically $20–$50 per document).

By comparison, California attorneys typically charge $2,500–$5,000+ for the same set of documents — often without including the deed transfer that makes the trust actually work. See the side-by-side comparison: trust and will attorney vs. LDA in California →

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Common questions

Do I really need a living trust, or is a will enough?

A will doesn't avoid probate. If you own real estate in California, your estate goes through probate court — even with a will. Probate typically takes 9–18 months and costs 4–8% of the gross value of the estate. A living trust avoids that entirely.

Can an LDA legally prepare a living trust?

Yes. California Business and Professions Code §6400 et seq. authorizes registered LDAs to prepare legal documents at the specific direction of clients who already know what they want. I can't give legal advice or recommend a strategy — but if you know you want a living trust, I can prepare it.

What if my situation is complicated?

If you have a blended family, special-needs beneficiaries, business interests, substantial assets requiring tax planning, or anyone likely to contest your estate, you should work with an estate planning attorney. I'll tell you that honestly, and refer you to one I trust.

Will the trust be valid in court?

Yes. A properly prepared revocable living trust, signed and notarized, is fully valid under California law regardless of whether an attorney or an LDA prepared it. The documents are the same.

What happens if I move out of California?

Your trust remains valid. You should have it reviewed by a local professional in your new state to confirm everything is in order, but you don't lose the trust by moving.