Services
Estate Planning
Estate planning and probate law encompasses a large number of issues related to end-of-life decisions and the transfer of assets. The attorneys at Collins, Ritchie & Ervin, LLP are experienced in all of these areas, including the drafting of wills and trusts, administering probate estates, planning for the care of a disabled loved one, and litigating disputes over administration of an estate.Â
If you need assistance acting as an executor or trustee...
Or if you are facing potential litigation, the attorneys at Collins, Ritchie & Ervin are here to help. Our probate services include: estate planing, probate of estate, trust administration, trust and administration disputes, conservatorships and guardianships, and medicaid / mediCal planning.
Estate Planning
A comprehensive estate plan should account for much more than who receives your assets when you die. It needs to account for the power to make healthcare decisions, provide for care at the end of your life, and make provisions for any of your family members with special needs. At Collins, Ritchie & Ervin, we take the time to assess your needs and craft an estate plan that is tailored to your unique situation.
Guardianships
If a child in your life is not being properly cared for, or is living in an unsafe environment, a guardianship may help you protect them. Guardianships are complicated legal proceedings. Our attorneys can guide you through all the stages of this challenging process.
The child’s well-being is of utmost importance, and we are committed to ensuring that you obtain custody of the child to keep them protected and well looked after.
Guardianship of the Person
Sometimes a child needs to be taken out of a dangerous situation, and this needs to be done quickly. As your attorneys, we understand the need for urgency, and the need to have a complete court order to keep the child safe.
In some cases, a parent may have died, leaving a child with no legal caretaker or guardian. Even if the parent has asked you to care for their child, you still need to submit a guardianship petition to protect the rights of both you and the child.
The child’s well-being is of utmost importance, and we are committed to ensuring that you obtain custody of the child to keep them protected and well looked after.
Guardianship of the Estate
Other times, a child possesses significant property that must be protected by a responsible adult who has the child’s best interests in mind. Often, sadly, the parents are not interested in the child’s future and financial well-being. An outside guardian is necessary to have legal authority of the child’s estate, so that their interests can be looked after.
Medicaid / MediCal Planning
The Medicaid and Medi-Cal health coverage programs provide vital medical care to many vulnerable Californians. However, they are complicated programs that oftentimes require the recipient to surrender some or all their assets after death. Our Medicaid and Medi-Cal planning attorneys can help you understand the options for protecting your assets.
Planning & Administration
The planning and administration of an estate is no simple matter. Trying to do it without legal assistance can be frustrating, and may lead to financial losses or unintended conflicts between trustees. If you’re preparing to establish an estate, or are seeking assistance with the administration of one, Collins, Ritchie & Ervin, LLP are ready to help you through every aspect of the process.