Our estate planning advisors work with you, your attorney, and other professionals to help build a plan that reflects your values and adapts to your life. EP Wealth helps clients take stock of these assets, think through access and ownership questions, and determine where they should CA for families be included in legal documents. Along with your attorney, accountant, and other professionals such as a life insurance specialist, a financial advisor can prove to be a key team member when it comes to creating your estate plan. The EP Wealth Advisors® team works with you to ensure your legacy wishes are fulfilled by integrating your objectives into a checklist that encompasses all four steps of our Peace of Mind Planning Model.
Preparing for your wealth transf

Wade D. Pfau, Ph.D., CFA®, RICP®, Professor of Practice, The American College of Financial Services Michael Finke, Ph.D., CFP®, Professor of Wealth Management, The American College of Financial Servic


In California, probate can be time-consuming (can take 9-18 months), expensive (cost 3-7% of the estate’s value), and is public. Below, we take a closer look at these and other common reasons California residents include one in their estate plan. If you’re trying to avoid probate court, reduce delays for your family, CA for families or keep your affairs private, a revocable trust can offer real advantages. When you pass away, the successor trustee named in the trust document takes over and distributes the assets according to your instructions. Unlike a testamentary trust, which takes effect after death, a revocable living trust is active while you’re alive.
Key Roles in a Revocable Living Tru


Yes, you may pay taxes on Social Security depending on income levels, but the bigger focus should be your income plan, not chasing tax loopholes. There are very few truly tax free retirement income sources, and focusing only on taxes can lead you down the wrong path. The right amount depends on your income floor, lifestyle, and how you want to live. Most fixed CA for families annuities, especially MYGAs, provide compound interest with tax deferral, but not all products are structured the same way.
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When you pass away, your beneficiaries simply present a death certificate to the brokerage firm, and the assets transfer into their names—no probate required. You'll name one or more beneficiaries who will automatically receive the account funds upon your death. Your 401(k), IRA, pension, and other retirement accounts pass directly to named beneficiaries, completely bypassing probate—but only if you've properly designated beneficiarie


Making a will is a great step towards passing along your assets and legacy to family members and loved ones. Contact one of our estate planning attorneys, and we can help guide you through the process. Indeed, for larger, more complicated estates, a CA for families revocable trust is generally the most effective tool for avoiding probate.
Establish a Revocable Living Tru


They gain immediate ownership rights, which means creditors could potentially place liens on the property, or the co-owner could theoretically sell their share. In Brooklyn, where home values have climbed substantially over the past decades, joint tenancy ensures the surviving spouse retains full ownership without probate delays. This advanced strategy requires professional guidance but can save your family significant money. This forces the proceeds through probate, delays payment to your family, and may expose the funds to creditor claims.
Whether you're in Brooklyn, Queens, or Staten Island, our fully accessible office is ready to welcome you. Estate planning isn't just for the wealthy—it's essential for anyone who wants to ensure their family avoids unnecessary legal complications during already difficult times. The combination of strategies that works best for you depends on your specific assets, family structure, values, and goals. You've worked hard to build financial security, and you deserve an estate plan that protects those assets from unnecessary erosion through probate costs and delays. Avoiding probate court requires proactive planning, but the peace of mind and financial protection it provides your family is invaluable. Upon your death, the trust assets pass directly to your beneficiaries without probate.
Maintain a Comprehensive Asset Inventory and Digital Estate Plan
If you want to give more, it will count CA for families against your lifetime exemption, which is much higher but still requires careful planning. By transferring assets to your heirs while you’re still alive, you remove those assets from your estate, which means they won’t go through probate upon your death. Many financial accounts and insurance policies allow you to designate beneficiaries, which can be a powerful tool for avoiding probat


I trust him and value his knowledge and experience. From the very beginning, Erick stood out for his warmth, friendliness, and genuine interest in understanding our unique financial goals. We couldn’t be happier with the experience we’ve had working with Erick as our financial advisor. Remember, there is no better time than the present to plan for the future.
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"In times like these it is a complete pleasure and comfort to work with the professionals at EP Wealth, especially Ashley. I never doubt his commitment to us and our investments."28 "They have answered all of my questions very quickly and thoroughly. "From the start, they demonstrated a high level of professionalism and deep knowledge of investments, retirement planning, and tax-efficient strategies. Guidance for navigating financial considerations before, during, or after divorce, including cash flow analysis, asset division scenarios, and longer-term planning implications. Holistic planning that brings together cash flow, investments, retirement, and other financial considerations to help clients make informed decisions across different life stages.
Whether you are suddenly single or you’re in charge of your family’s finances, today’s women have more to juggle than ever before. If you’re serious about pursuing your goals, then you’ll be able to build that into your budget. We have the team, the resources, and experience to help you. And if you’re not satisfied, you can cancel at any time. There’s no obligation, and you’ll walk away with clarity on both your finances and what working together would cos