Wills & Trusts Lawyer in Beverly Hills

Finding the right wills & trusts lawyer in Beverly Hills can help individuals and families create a clear plan for their property, finances, healthcare decisions, beneficiaries, and the future administration of their estates.

A comprehensive estate plan may include a will, revocable living trust, financial power of attorney, advance healthcare directive, beneficiary designations, and other documents depending on a person's assets, family circumstances, and planning objectives.

California Courts explains that a living trust allows a person to designate a successor trustee to manage trust assets for beneficiaries. When assets have actually been transferred into the trust, they can generally pass to beneficiaries without formal probate.

For Beverly Hills residents who own valuable real estate, businesses, investment portfolios, multiple properties, or other substantial assets, wills and trusts may also need to coordinate with tax planning, business succession, property ownership, and beneficiary arrangements.

FaceLaw is a legal directory and discovery platform that helps users find, research, compare, evaluate, and connect with independent attorneys. FaceLaw is not a law firm and does not itself draft wills, establish trusts, provide estate-planning advice, or administer estates.

What Does a Wills & Trusts Lawyer in Beverly Hills Do?

A wills and trusts attorney may help clients create, review, and update documents that determine how property should be managed during life and transferred after death.

Depending on the lawyer's practice, services may include:

• Preparing wills
• Creating revocable living trusts
• Reviewing existing trusts
• Trust funding
• Powers of attorney
• Advance healthcare directives
• Beneficiary planning
• Real estate planning
• Business succession planning
• Planning for minor children
• Planning for blended families
• Trust administration
• Probate planning
• Estate and trust disputes

Some attorneys focus primarily on estate planning, while others also handle probate administration or trust litigation.

When comparing attorneys through FaceLaw, determine whether you need a lawyer primarily for planning, post-death administration, or an existing dispute.

What Is a Will?

A will is a legal document that states how a person wants qualifying property distributed after death.

A will may also address matters such as:

• Naming beneficiaries
• Nominating an executor
• Directing distribution of certain property
• Planning for minor beneficiaries
• Coordinating with other estate documents

California provides a statutory will form for qualifying individuals. The current California Statutory Will instructions state that the person creating that form should sign it and have two witnesses sign it. California also recognizes certain handwritten, or holographic, wills under different rules.

Because will requirements can be technical, people with substantial property or complicated family situations may prefer a customized estate plan rather than relying solely on a standard form.

Does Having a Will Avoid Probate?

Not necessarily.

California Courts specifically states that an estate may still need to go through probate even if the person had a will.

A will generally tells the probate court how qualifying probate property should be distributed, but it does not automatically remove property from probate.

Whether probate is required can depend on:

• How property is titled
• Whether property is held in a trust
• Beneficiary designations
• Joint ownership
• Rights of survivorship
• Estate value
• The type of property involved

For people whose primary goal is reducing the amount of property that must pass through formal probate, a living trust or other transfer mechanisms may be considered.

What Is a Revocable Living Trust?

A revocable living trust is created during a person's lifetime to hold and manage property.

The person creating the trust generally identifies:

• A trustee
• A successor trustee
• Beneficiaries
• Instructions for management and distribution of trust assets

California Courts explains that a living trust can allow assets placed into the trust to pass to beneficiaries without probate court after the trust creator dies.

A revocable living trust can also provide instructions for managing trust property if the creator becomes unable to manage it personally.

Whether a trust is appropriate depends on the person's assets, objectives, family structure, and other circumstances.

A Trust Must Be Properly Funded

Creating and signing a trust document is not always enough.

Property generally needs to be properly coordinated with the trust.

This process is often called trust funding.

Depending on the asset, funding may involve:

• Changing title to real estate
• Updating ownership of certain accounts
• Assigning business interests where appropriate
• Coordinating beneficiary designations
• Preparing assignments of personal property

California Courts distinguishes property held in a trust from property owned directly by an individual and notes that property in a living trust may transfer outside probate.

If someone creates a trust but leaves major assets outside of it, those assets may require a different transfer process after death.

When comparing attorneys, ask whether their estate-planning service includes assistance or instructions regarding trust funding.

Wills and Trusts for Beverly Hills Real Estate

Real estate is often one of the most important reasons people consider trust planning.

A Beverly Hills estate may include:

• A primary residence
• Rental properties
• Vacation homes
• Commercial real estate
• Investment properties
• Property held through an LLC
• Property owned with relatives or business partners

The way real property is titled can significantly affect what happens after the owner's death.

California Courts notes that real property may be held in forms including joint tenancy, community property, sole ownership, or in a trust's name. Certain forms of ownership can carry survivorship rights, while property held in trust is owned by the trust rather than directly by the individual.

A wills and trusts lawyer may review deeds and estate-planning documents to determine whether ownership arrangements align with the client's objectives.

Can a Living Trust Help Avoid Probate?

Yes, for property that is properly transferred into the trust.

California Courts explains that property held in a living trust can generally pass to the designated beneficiaries without going through formal probate.

However, trusts are not the only assets that may pass outside probate.

California Courts also identifies examples such as:

• Life insurance with a named beneficiary
• Certain bank or retirement accounts with beneficiaries
• Joint tenancy property
• Property with transfer-on-death arrangements
• Certain community property with survivorship rights

A lawyer may help coordinate these arrangements so that the will, trust, deeds, account ownership, and beneficiary designations do not unintentionally conflict.

Wills vs. Trusts: Do You Need Both?

Many estate plans include both a will and a trust.

They perform different functions.

A trust may hold and distribute assets according to trust instructions, while a will can address property that remains outside the trust and other matters appropriate for the will.

A person should therefore not assume that having a living trust automatically makes a will unnecessary.

The appropriate combination of documents depends on:

• Property ownership
• Family structure
• Real estate
• Business interests
• Beneficiary arrangements
• Incapacity planning
• Estate administration objectives

A wills and trusts attorney can review the complete financial and family picture before recommending a particular structure.

Financial Powers of Attorney

Estate planning is not limited to what happens after death.

A power of attorney can authorize another person to assist with legal or financial matters while the person creating the document is alive.

California Courts describes a power of attorney as an option that can allow someone to assist with legal and financial decisions without automatic court oversight.

Depending on the authority granted, a financial power of attorney may address matters involving:

• Bank accounts
• Bills
• Property
• Financial transactions
• Tax matters
• Other financial responsibilities

Powers of attorney can provide significant authority, so the person selected should generally be someone the client trusts.

Advance Healthcare Directives

An estate plan may also address healthcare decisions.

California Courts explains that an Advance Health Care Directive can allow a person to name someone to make healthcare decisions on their behalf and document treatment preferences if the person later becomes unable to communicate or make decisions independently.

A directive can potentially address:

• Selection of a healthcare agent
• Medical decision-making
• Treatment preferences
• End-of-life wishes

California Courts states that the directive must be signed and either notarized or signed by two qualifying witnesses.

A wills and trusts attorney may coordinate healthcare and financial incapacity documents with the broader estate plan.

Estate Planning for Business Owners

Business owners often need additional planning.

An estate plan may need to address:

• Corporation shares
• LLC membership interests
• Partnership interests
• Professional practices
• Family businesses

Relevant questions can include:

• Who should inherit the business?
• Who should manage it after death or incapacity?
• Can ownership be transferred to family members?
• Are there buy-sell restrictions?
• Do business agreements conflict with the trust?
• How should the company be valued?
• Should a succession plan be created?

Business succession documents, shareholder agreements, LLC operating agreements, trusts, and beneficiary arrangements may need to work together.

If you own a private company, consider looking for a wills and trusts lawyer who regularly works with business-owner estate plans.

Wills and Trusts for Blended Families

Blended families may require particularly careful planning.

A client may want to provide for:

• A current spouse
• Children from a prior marriage
• Children from the current marriage
• Stepchildren
• Other relatives

Without clear planning, different family members may have competing expectations concerning real estate, investments, businesses, or personal property.

A trust can potentially be structured to provide certain benefits to one person during life while preserving remaining property for other beneficiaries later.

The appropriate structure depends on the client's goals and should be coordinated with any prenuptial or postnuptial agreement.

Planning for Minor Children

Parents with minor children may need to consider both who should receive property and how inherited property should be managed.

A child may not be an appropriate person to receive substantial property outright.

Planning can therefore involve questions such as:

• Who should manage inherited assets?
• At what age should the child receive property?
• Should distributions occur gradually?
• How should education or healthcare expenses be handled?
• Who should serve in fiduciary roles?

A trust may allow parents to establish detailed instructions for management and distribution.

A lawyer can help tailor those provisions to the family's circumstances.

Planning for Beneficiaries With Special Needs

Some families need planning that considers a beneficiary with a disability or other long-term support needs.

California Courts identifies a special needs trust as one possible financial planning mechanism for people with disabilities.

This type of planning can be specialized, particularly when public benefits are involved.

If a beneficiary currently receives or may qualify for needs-based government benefits, look for an attorney with direct experience in special-needs planning rather than relying only on general estate-planning experience.

Beneficiary Designations Should Be Reviewed

Some significant assets pass through beneficiary designations rather than through a will.

Examples may include:

• Life insurance
• Retirement accounts
• Certain bank accounts
• Annuities

California Courts specifically identifies named-beneficiary property as one category that can often transfer without formal probate.

Because these designations can control the transfer of substantial assets, they should generally be coordinated with the rest of the estate plan.

For example, changing a will alone may not change the beneficiary listed on a retirement account or life insurance policy.

Wills, Trusts, and Probate

Estate planning and probate are related but different.

Estate planning occurs during a person's lifetime.

Probate is the legal process that may be required after death to transfer qualifying property, pay estate debts, and distribute remaining assets.

California Courts explains that the personal representative in a probate matter collects property, pays bills, and distributes remaining assets to those legally entitled to receive them.

A carefully coordinated estate plan may reduce the amount of property requiring formal probate, but no lawyer should guarantee that probate will never be necessary without understanding the assets and how they are owned.

Trust Administration After Death

Even when probate is avoided, a successor trustee may still have substantial responsibilities after the trust creator dies.

Trust administration may involve:

• Identifying trust assets
• Securing property
• Reviewing trust instructions
• Communicating with beneficiaries
• Addressing debts and expenses
• Tax matters
• Managing real estate
• Distributing trust assets

Trust administration is not identical to probate, but it can still involve complex fiduciary responsibilities.

If you are a successor trustee seeking legal help, ask whether the lawyer regularly represents trustees after the death of a trust creator.

When Should You Update a Will or Trust?

Estate plans should be reviewed when circumstances materially change.

Potential reasons include:

• Marriage
• Divorce
• Birth or adoption
• Death of a beneficiary
• Death or incapacity of a trustee
• Purchase or sale of real estate
• Starting or selling a business
• Significant changes in wealth
• Moving to another state
• Changes in family relationships
• Changes in estate or tax law

A trust created years ago may also contain property information, fiduciary appointments, or beneficiary instructions that no longer reflect the client's wishes.

Regular review can help identify whether amendments, restatements, new beneficiary designations, or ownership changes should be considered.

High-Value Estate Planning in Beverly Hills

More substantial estates may require coordination across several areas.

Potential assets can include:

• Multiple properties
• Private businesses
• Investment accounts
• Retirement assets
• Trust interests
• Intellectual property
• Valuable personal property
• International assets

Tax planning may also become important depending on current federal and state law and the client's financial circumstances.

Because tax thresholds and rules can change, clients with tax-sensitive estates should ask whether the attorney regularly handles sophisticated estate planning and whether a CPA, tax attorney, financial adviser, or other professional should also participate.

How Can I Verify a Wills & Trusts Lawyer in Beverly Hills?

Before hiring an attorney, independently review professional information through the State Bar of California.

The State Bar's Attorney Search provides:

• Current license status
• Disciplinary history
• Administrative history

Its Advanced Search also allows users to search using criteria including location, languages, certified legal specialty, and self-reported practice areas. The State Bar cautions that self-reported practice areas are not independently verified as proof of experience or competence.

Ask prospective attorneys directly:

• How much of your practice involves wills and trusts?
• Do you regularly create revocable living trusts?
• Do you assist with trust funding?
• Do you work with Beverly Hills real estate?
• Do you represent business owners?
• Do you handle trust administration?
• Do you handle probate?
• Do you handle trust disputes?

Consider a Certified Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law Specialist

California recognizes Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law as an official State Bar certified legal specialty.

State Bar standards define this specialty broadly to include advising clients regarding estate planning, preparing wills and trusts, administering estates and trusts, addressing tax matters, transferring assets, and planning for people who may be unable to manage their own affairs.

Certification is not required for an attorney to prepare wills or trusts, and a certified specialist is not automatically the right lawyer for every client.

However, it can be one additional credential to consider, particularly for complex estates.

How Much Does a Wills & Trusts Lawyer in Beverly Hills Cost?

There is no universal fee for wills and trusts work in Beverly Hills.

The cost may depend on:

• Number of documents
• Complexity of the estate
• Real estate ownership
• Business interests
• Trust complexity
• Tax considerations
• Family circumstances
• Amount of customization
• Whether existing documents must be revised

The State Bar of California notes that fixed fees are commonly used for routine legal work such as preparation of a simple will, while lawyers may also use hourly or other fee arrangements depending on the matter.

Ask prospective counsel:

• Is the fee flat or hourly?
• What documents are included?
• Is trust funding included?
• Is deed preparation included?
• Are later amendments included?
• Are consultations after signing included?
• Are tax or business-planning services separate?

Comparing the scope of services can be more useful than comparing a single headline price.

What Should I Ask During a Wills & Trusts Consultation?

Useful questions include:

• Do I need a will, trust, or both?
• Which assets should be placed in the trust?
• How should my real estate be handled?
• How should business interests be coordinated?
• Who should serve as trustee?
• How should beneficiaries receive property?
• How can I plan for incapacity?
• Are my beneficiary designations consistent with the plan?
• Could any property still require probate?
• Do you assist with trust funding?
• How are your fees structured?
• How often should my estate plan be reviewed?

Bring information about major assets, real estate, businesses, existing estate documents, family relationships, and current beneficiary designations when available.

Why Use FaceLaw?

FaceLaw helps users discover, research, compare, evaluate, and connect with independent legal professionals.

For someone searching for a wills & trusts lawyer in Beverly Hills, FaceLaw can provide a starting point for reviewing available attorney profiles and comparing information related to:

• Wills and trusts practice
• Estate-planning background
• Professional experience
• Location
• Language information
• Other available attorney details

FaceLaw does not create estate plans or determine which trust structure a user should choose.

Users should independently verify:

• California professional status
• Wills and trusts experience
• Trust-funding experience
• Experience with comparable assets
• Business or high-value estate experience where relevant
• Consultation policies
• Attorney fees
• Current availability

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I find a wills & trusts lawyer in Beverly Hills?

Use FaceLaw to browse available estate-planning lawyer profiles and compare professional background, wills and trusts experience, location, language information, and other available details. Then independently verify prospective attorneys.

2. What is the difference between a will and a living trust?

A will generally provides instructions regarding distribution of qualifying property after death. A living trust holds property during life and can provide for management and distribution by a successor trustee. Properly funded trust property can generally transfer without formal probate.

3. Does having a will avoid probate in California?

Not necessarily. California Courts states that an estate may still require probate even when the deceased person had a will.

4. Can a living trust avoid probate?

Property that has been properly transferred into a living trust can generally pass to beneficiaries without formal probate.

5. What does it mean to fund a trust?

Trust funding generally means transferring or coordinating ownership of assets so they are actually held by or properly connected to the trust. Property left outside the trust may require a different transfer procedure after death.

6. Do I still need a will if I have a living trust?

Many estate plans use both. A trust and will serve different purposes, and a will may address property or matters that are not fully covered by the trust.

7. What is a financial power of attorney?

A power of attorney can authorize another person to assist with legal or financial matters during the creator's lifetime. California Courts identifies it as an alternative that can provide financial or legal assistance without automatic court oversight.

8. What is an Advance Health Care Directive?

An Advance Health Care Directive can identify a healthcare decision-maker and document medical preferences for circumstances in which a person cannot communicate or make decisions independently.

9. Can a wills and trusts lawyer help business owners?

Potentially. Estate planning for business owners may involve ownership succession, trusts, shareholder or operating agreements, valuation issues, and coordination with corporate and tax professionals.

10. When should I update my will or trust?

Consider reviewing the plan after major changes such as marriage, divorce, births, deaths, significant property transactions, business changes, relocation, changes in beneficiaries or fiduciaries, or major legal and financial changes.

11. How can I verify a Beverly Hills wills & trusts lawyer?

Use the State Bar of California's Attorney Search to review license status and available disciplinary and administrative history. You can also consider whether the lawyer is certified in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law.

12. Does FaceLaw prepare wills and trusts?

No. FaceLaw is a legal directory and discovery platform. It helps users research and compare independent attorneys, while estate-planning advice, document preparation, consultations, fees, trust administration, and representation are provided directly by individual lawyers and law firms.

Conclusion

Finding the right wills & trusts lawyer in Beverly Hills begins with understanding your family, property, and long-term planning goals.

A will can provide instructions for distributing qualifying property after death, but having a will does not automatically avoid probate. A properly funded living trust can allow trust property to pass to beneficiaries without formal probate and can also provide a structure for managing property if the trust creator becomes unable to manage it personally.

The ownership of assets matters as much as the documents themselves. California Courts notes that property with named beneficiaries, certain joint ownership arrangements, survivorship rights, and property held in living trusts may transfer outside formal probate.

For Beverly Hills residents with substantial real estate, businesses, investment assets, blended families, minor children, or tax-sensitive estates, coordinated planning can be particularly important. A lawyer may need to work with accountants, financial advisers, corporate counsel, or other professionals when the estate involves specialized issues.

Before retaining counsel, independently review professional information through the State Bar of California and ask specifically about experience with wills, revocable living trusts, trust funding, real estate, business succession, trust administration, and probate. California also recognizes Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law as a certified legal specialty, which can be one additional credential to consider.

FaceLaw helps organize this search by allowing users to discover and compare available independent lawyer profiles. Review potentially relevant wills and trusts attorneys, verify their credentials and actual estate-planning experience, discuss your goals directly with prospective lawyers, and choose an attorney whose experience, communication, fee structure, and approach fit your individual planning needs.