Estate Planning Terms to Know 

Estate planning isn't just for the wealthy; it's a vital tool for anyone who wants to make sure their loved ones are taken care of after they’re gone.  

At The Law Offices of Lawrence H. Nemirow PC, located in Los Alamitos, California, I offer comprehensive estate planning services to clients throughout Los Angeles County, Orange County, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Cerritos, Santa Ana, Anaheim, and Long Beach, California.   

In this guide, I’ll break down essential estate planning terms and provide legal insights to help you take the first steps toward securing your future. By understanding these terms, you can be better equipped to protect your assets, provide for your loved ones, and ensure your healthcare wishes are clearly documented.  

Introduction to Estate Planning

Estate planning involves preparing for the management and distribution of your assets after your death or incapacitation. It creates a roadmap for your wishes to be carried out and your loved ones to receive designated assets, while minimizing potential legal battles. 

Without a proper estate plan, your assets may be distributed according to California law, which might not align with your wishes. Estate planning allows you to control who inherits your property, appoint guardians for minor children, and reduce estate taxes. 

Key Estate Planning Terms

Will  

A will is a legal document that outlines how your assets should be distributed after your death. It can also include arrangements for minor children, such as appointing guardians. However, a will requires probate, a court-supervised process that can be time-consuming and costly. 

Executor 

An "Executor" is a person appointed in a will to manage and distribute the deceased's assets and property according to their wishes. This role involves responsibilities such as settling debts, paying taxes, and distributing the remaining assets to the intended beneficiaries. Executors are legally appointed through the probate process and must comply with state laws and the terms outlined in the will to distribute all assets correctly and fairly. 

Probate 

Probate is the legal process of validating a will, paying debts, and distributing assets under court supervision. It can be lengthy and expensive, often delaying the transfer of assets to beneficiaries. 

Creating a living trust is one of the most effective ways to avoid probate. Transferring assets into the trust allows them to be managed and distributed according to your wishes, without the need for court intervention. 

Trust 

A trust is a legal arrangement where a trustee holds and manages assets on behalf of beneficiaries. Trusts can take effect during your lifetime (living trusts) or after your death (testamentary trusts). Unlike wills, trusts generally avoid probate, providing faster distribution of assets and maintaining privacy. 

Trustee 

In estate planning, a trustee is an individual or institution appointed to manage and distribute the assets or property held within a trust according to the terms specified by the grantor. The trustee's responsibilities include administering the trust assets, making investment decisions, and ensuring the beneficiaries receive their distributions as outlined in the trust agreement. Unlike an executor, who is responsible for settling an estate according to a will after the testator's death, a trustee can manage a trust both during the grantor's lifetime and after their passing, providing ongoing stewardship of the trust assets. 

Beneficiary 

A "beneficiary" is an individual or entity designated to receive assets, benefits, or proceeds upon the death of the benefactor. The beneficiary can be a person, such as a spouse, child, or other relative, or an organization, such as a charity. 

Beneficiary designations determine who will directly receive the assets without the need for probate, which can be a lengthy and costly legal process. When designating a beneficiary, I strongly advise you consider factors such as the individual's financial responsibility, potential tax implications, and the possibility of updating the designation in response to major life changes like marriage, divorce, or the birth of a child. It is also wise to name contingent beneficiaries to account for situations where the primary beneficiary predeceases you or cannot be located. 

Living or Revocable Trust 

A revocable trust, also known as a living trust, is a legal arrangement where the trust creator (grantor) transfers assets into a trust while retaining the ability to alter or revoke the trust during their lifetime. This flexibility allows the grantor to maintain control over their assets and make changes as needed. 

The benefits of using a revocable trust in estate planning include avoiding probate, which can save time and reduce legal fees, maintaining privacy since trusts are not public records, and providing a seamless transition of asset management in case of incapacity. 

Irrevocable Trust 

An irrevocable trust is a legal arrangement where the grantor permanently transfers assets into the trust, relinquishing all control and ownership rights over those assets. Unlike a revocable trust, an irrevocable trust cannot be modified or terminated without the consent of the beneficiaries, which means the terms of the trust are set in stone once it is established. 

The primary benefits of an irrevocable trust in estate planning include asset protection from creditors, reduction of estate taxes, and ensuring long-term management of assets according to the grantor's wishes. However, the main disadvantage is the loss of control over the assets, as the grantor cannot make changes to the trust or reclaim the assets once they have been transferred. 

Power of Attorney 

A power of attorney (POA) is a legal document that grants someone the authority to act on your behalf. There are several types of POA, including: 

• General POA: Grants broad powers to manage financial and legal matters 

• Limited POA: Grants specific powers for a limited purpose or time 

• Durable POA: Remains in effect if you become incapacitated 

• Healthcare POA: Allows someone to make medical decisions on your behalf 

A POA can give you peace of mind, knowing that your affairs will be managed by a person of your choosing if you become unable to do so. When creating a POA, I recommend choosing a trustworthy individual who has a strong understanding of your values and preferences. 

Advance Directive 

An advance directive is a legal document that outlines your healthcare preferences if you become incapacitated. It can include a living will, which specifies treatments you do or do not want, and a healthcare POA, which appoints someone to make medical decisions for you. 

Having an advance directive addresses your medical wishes with clarity and relieves your loved ones from making difficult decisions during stressful times. 

Living Will 

A "living will" is a legal document that outlines an individual's preferences regarding medical treatment and end-of-life care in case they become unable to communicate their decisions. The primary purpose of a living will is to provide direction and clarity regarding your healthcare choices for medical professionals and family members.  

A living will entails specifying which life-sustaining treatments, such as resuscitation or mechanical ventilation, the individual wishes to receive or refuse. It is legally recognized and must often be signed and witnessed to be valid. Specific laws or regulations, such as those governing the requirements for witnesses and the exact wording needed, vary by jurisdiction and should be reviewed carefully to ensure compliance. 

Guardianship 

Guardianship is a legal arrangement where an individual, known as the guardian, is given the authority and responsibility to care for and make decisions on behalf of another person, referred to as the ward, who is unable to manage their own affairs. This arrangement allows vulnerable individuals, such as minors, elderly adults with diminished capacity, or those with disabilities, to receive the support and protection they need. 

Courts may appoint a guardian in various situations, such as when parents pass away or are deemed unfit to care for their child, or when an adult becomes incapacitated due to illness or disability. A suitable guardian is typically someone who is responsible, trustworthy, and has a genuine interest in the well-being of the ward, often a close relative or family friend. 

Community Property 

Community property is a legal concept that plays a significant role in estate planning, particularly in states like California that follow community property laws. Under community property laws, any assets acquired by either spouse during the marriage are considered jointly owned by both partners. This joint ownership extends to income, real estate, and other forms of property. 

Community property laws significantly affect how assets are distributed upon the death of a spouse. Essentially, each spouse has the right to bequeath their half of the community property. However, in California, if there is no will (intestate succession), the deceased's half of the community property automatically passes to the surviving spouse, along with a portion of the separate property based on the number of heirs. 

Estate Tax 

Estate tax is a levy on the total value of a deceased person's estate before distribution to their heirs, meant to transfer a portion of the estate's value to the government. The laws and regulations surrounding estate taxes vary by jurisdiction, but generally, the estate itself is responsible for paying the tax, managed by the executor or administrator. Failing to pay estate taxes can result in significant penalties and interest charges, which can deplete the estate's value and delay the distribution to beneficiaries. 

Codicil 

A codicil is a legal document used to make amendments or additions to an existing will without needing to rewrite the entire will. It holds the same legal standing as the original will and must be executed with similar formalities, such as being signed by the testator and witnessed according to state laws. The codicil references the original will, specifying the changes, and must clearly indicate the testator's intent to modify their will, ensuring the amendments are legally recognized and enforceable. 

Intestate 

The term "intestate" refers to the situation when a person passes away without leaving a valid will. In such cases, their assets and property are distributed according to the state's intestacy laws, which typically prioritize spouses, children, and close relatives. This can lead to potential issues such as disputes among heirs, longer settlement times, and unintended beneficiaries, creating complications for both the family and the legal system. 

Estate planning doesn't have to be overwhelming. By understanding these key terms and working with a knowledgeable attorney, you can create a plan for your wishes to be honored and your loved ones to be provided for. 

Taking the First Steps in Estate Planning 

At the Law Offices of Lawrence H. Nemirow, I offer personalized consultations to individuals in Los Alamitos, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Cerritos, Santa Ana, Anaheim, and Long Beach, California, to help develop a comprehensive estate plan. I can guide you through the process, providing knowledgeable legal advice and support.  

If you're ready to take control of your future and protect your assets, don’t hesitate to reach out. Let’s protect your assets and achieve peace of mind. Take the first step toward securing your future today.