Estate Planning: Wills, Trusts, and Alternatives Category: Estates Wills and Trusts
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Estate planning is the process of deciding who will get your property and how you would like it transferred after your death. It can also involve designating a guardian for young children or a representative to make financial and medical decisions for you if you become incapacitated.
Forms
Revoke (Cancel) Your Transfer on Death Deed
Will (California Statutory Will Form)
Transfer on Death (TOD) Deed
Power of Attorney
Authorize Someone to Act on Your Behalf A Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document that you (as the “principal”) create. It gives another person (your agent, or “attorney-in-fact”) the legal authority to act on your behalf. You can give your agent broad, ongoing powers, such as handling all...
Read MoreKeeping Your House Out of Probate
Your home is often your largest asset, and something you want to ensure transfers according to your wishes after your death. Without any advanced planning, your loved ones may be saddled with a complicated court procedure after you’re gone in order to transfer your home to your heirs. Luckily, there...
Read MoreCalifornia’s Transfer on Death deed: One option to avoid probate on your home
Homeowners often want to leave their home to children, partners, or others without forcing them to go through the probate court after the owner dies. There are several ways to set this up this in California. Living trusts are a great option, but usually require a lawyer and a lot...
Read MoreSenior Legal Hotline
Estates Wills and Trusts
Free legal advice and assistance to those age 60+ on almost any civil issue. Common issues are tenants’ rights, estate planning, grandparent’s rights, pensions, and public benefits. No criminal law or assistance with conservatorships. Must have legal immigratnt status.
Sacramento County Assessor’s Office
Housing
The Assessor is responsible for locating taxable property in the County, assessing the value, identifying the owner, and publishing annual and supplemental assessment rolls., Assessor’s Parcel Viewer: Use Parcel Viewer to view property maps, parcel information and recent sales.
Sacramento, CA 95826
Property Transfer Information: 916-875-0750
Real Property Assessment Information: 916-875-0700
https://assessor.saccounty.gov/Pages/default.aspx
Elder and Health Law Clinic
Estates Wills and Trusts
Academic year only. Typically open for intake during June/July and November/December for one to two weeks., Certified law students provide legal advice and undertake representation of low-income individuals 60 and older in the greater Sacramento area. Priority cases include nursing home residents’ rights, alternatives to conservatorships, Social Security, Medicare, Medi-Cal, SSI, health care access, housing, elder abuse, advance health care directives, and simple estate planning tools.
Capital Pro Bono
Courts and Procedure
The Capital Pro Bono is a nonprofit agency that provides free legal assistance with many kinds of civil legal matters to low income people. In addition to referring eligible clients to volunteer attorneys for direct representation, they offer a number of free legal clinics on a variety of common legal matters., Eligibility: Must be low income. Must have legal Immigration status
Housing and Economic Rights Advocates (HERA)
Estates Wills and Trusts
Case consultations on housing, predatory and unfair lending, estate planning, foreclosure prevention, reentry, and credit.
Eligibility: low to moderate income
Transfer on Death (TOD) Deed: Naming Beneficiaries
The “Revocable Transfer on Death Deed,” also called “TOD Deed” or “beneficiary deed,” is a simple way to leave a residence to your beneficiaries without the need for probate. The current owner or “transferor” names the intended heirs as “beneficiaries.” The deed has no effect until the transferor dies, so...
Read MoreAffidavit for Collection of Personal Property (Small Estate Affidavit)
In certain circumstances, personal property may be transferred to the decedent’s successors without a formal probate. If the decedent’s estate qualifies under California Pro. Code §§ 13100-13116, the person(s) entitled to the property may present a Small Estate Affidavit, commonly known as an Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property, to...
Read MoreRevoking Transfer on Death Deeds
The “Revocable Transfer on Death Deed,” also called “TOD Deed” or “beneficiary deed,” is a simple way to leave a residence to your beneficiaries without the need for probate. The current owner or “transferor” names the intended heirs as “beneficiaries.” The deed has no effect until the transferor dies, so...
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