Hayward Estate Planning, Trusts And Probate Attorney
Estate planning means preparing for your needs and your family’s needs if you are unable to handle your own affairs, or in the event of your death. Law Offices of Erik M. Liggins helps individuals with estate planning, trusts, and probate in Hayward and throughout Alameda County and Contra Costa County.
20+ Years Experience
Help Funding Your Trust
Remote Video Consultations
Free 15-Min Consultation
How We Help
How We Help With Estate Planning, Trusts And Probate
Estate planning is often misunderstood. It is either oversimplified as writing a will, or overcomplicated with discussions of complex trusts and tax planning instruments that do not apply to most people or situations. A typical estate plan usually falls somewhere in the middle, with the goal being a plan that is neither overly complicated, nor too simple to account for the broad variety of circumstances that might arise.
Living Trust Plans
Living trust plans are available for individuals and couples. Plans generally include powers of attorney and advance health care directives, and often a living trust, along with a deed to transfer real estate to your living trust.
Will Plans
Will plans are available for both individuals and couples.
Trust Funding Assistance
We assist with funding real estate into living trusts so it does not slip through the cracks, and we provide instructions and advice on funding your other assets.
Trust Administration
Trustees often need guidance or representation to help carry out a plan. We provide trust administration advice and representation.
Probate Administration
Executors and beneficiaries often need guidance or representation to carry out a plan or to navigate a court dispute in probate court. We provide probate administration advice and representation.
Trust and Probate Litigation Experience
Erik has experience handling trust and probate litigation matters, which better enables him to advise clients about the hidden risks of improper planning and to avoid foreseeable problems.
Other ancillary documents are also included in estate plans and may vary from plan to plan.
When an Estate Plan Goes Wrong
Estate planning means preparing for your needs and your family’s needs if you are unable to handle your own affairs due to illness, injury, or mental decline, or in the event of your death. If a problem has arisen, you may be facing:
A plan that was poorly or unprofessionally drafted, and that may be difficult or impossible to administer, subject to varying interpretations, or be rendered ineffective
Real estate or other assets that were never properly funded into your living trust
An estate plan that you are unsure how to carry out, or questions from heirs, beneficiaries, or creditors that you are not sure how to respond to
A court dispute in probate court
A consultation is a chance to talk through your situation.
Getting Started
What to Expect
Book a Free Consultation
Schedule a free 15-minute consultation or call 510.727.0925. Remote video consultations are available.
Discuss Your Matter
Talk through your situation and your legal rights and obligations.
Agree on Fees
Estate plans have set fees for living trust plans and will plans, for individuals and couples. Trust administration is hourly with a retainer. Probate administration is paid out of estate assets according to a standard formula (see California Probate Code Section 10810). Actual fees for any matter are agreed between the attorney and the client.
Why Hire Law Offices of Erik M. Liggins for Your Estate Plan
20+
Over 20 years of experience
Erik has over 20 years of experience in trust and probate, personal injury, and litigation matters.
Litigation experience that informs your plan
Erik has experience handling trust and probate litigation matters, and uses it to advise clients about the hidden risks of improper planning.
Flexible scheduling
Meetings can be scheduled flexibly, including remote video consultations.
Help funding your trust
We assist with funding real estate into living trusts, and we provide instructions and advice on funding other assets.
A Hayward practice
Erik grew up in the Bay Area and has practiced in his hometown of Hayward for over 15 years.
Local professional membership
Erik is a member of East Bay Trusts and Estates Lawyers (EBTEL).
Related Practice Areas
We also help individuals and small business owners with:
Personal Injury
We represent individuals in personal injury matters. Accidents happen when you least expect them, and often through no fault of your own.
Litigation (Lawsuits)
We represent individuals and small businesses in lawsuits over breaches of contract, fraud, and unfair business practices, as well as personal injury and probate disputes.
Let's Talk About Your Plan
Schedule a free 15-minute consultation with Erik Liggins to talk through your situation.
Knowledge
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Knowledge
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Law Offices of Erik M. Liggins handle estate planning, trusts, and probate in Hayward?
Yes. Estate planning, trusts, and probate is one of our three practice areas, and our office is in Hayward. We primarily serve clients in Alameda County and Contra Costa County, and we can serve the Greater Bay Area.
What is estate planning?
Estate planning means preparing for your needs and your family’s needs if you are unable to handle your own affairs due to illness, injury, or mental decline, or in the event of your death. It is often oversimplified as writing a will, or overcomplicated with complex trusts and tax planning instruments that do not apply to most people or situations. Most plans fall somewhere in the middle.
What is included in an estate plan?
Estate plans generally include powers of attorney and advance health care directives, along with a deed to transfer real estate to a living trust. Other ancillary documents are also included and may differ from plan to plan.
What does it mean to fund a living trust, and does the firm help?
Funding a living trust means transferring your assets into it. We assist with funding real estate into living trusts so it does not slip through the cracks, and we provide instructions and advice on funding your other assets.
How are estate planning, trust administration, and probate billed?
Estate plans have set fees for living trust plans and will plans, for individuals and couples. Trust administration is hourly with a retainer. Probate administration is paid out of estate assets according to a standard formula (see California Probate Code Section 10810). Actual fees are agreed between the attorney and the client.
Does the firm help executors, trustees, and beneficiaries?
Yes. Executors, trustees, and beneficiaries often need guidance or representation to carry out a plan, or to navigate a court dispute in probate court. We provide trust administration and probate advice and representation.
Does the firm offer a free consultation?
Yes. We offer a free 15-minute consultation. Flexible scheduling is available, including remote video consultations. You can schedule online or call 510.727.0925.