Estate Planning Attorney in Los Angeles
Protecting Your Family, Your Home & Your Legacy
If you’re looking for an experienced estate planning attorney in Los Angeles, you’ve come to the right place. We know that thinking about incapacity and death isn’t easy, but planning ahead is one of the most loving things you can do for your family. At Best Coast Estate Law, we help individuals and families across California create comprehensive estate plans that protect their assets, care for their loved ones, and avoid the time, cost, and public exposure of California’s probate court.
A California estate plan isn’t a single document. It’s a coordinated set of legal tools designed to give you control over three critical decisions: what happens to your assets when you pass away, who manages your financial and healthcare affairs if you become incapacitated, and who cares for your minor children if you’re unable to. Without a plan in place, those decisions are made by the California probate court, not by you.
We serve clients throughout Los Angeles County from our Burbank office, and we offer in-home legal services for clients who prefer to meet at home. Our flat-fee estate planning packages are transparent, affordable, and custom-tailored to each client’s unique situation.
Ready to get started? Book a free consultation today. Call us at (626) 390-5953 or fill out the form.
What Your Estate Plan Should Accomplish in California
Avoid Los Angeles Probate Court
keeping your estate out of a costly, time-consuming, and entirely public court process
Plan for Guardianship of Minor Children
ensuring the person you choose, not a judge, raises your children if something happens to you
Plan for Incapacity
authorizing trusted people to manage your finances and healthcare if you become unable to do so yourself
What's Included in a California Estate Plan
Revocable Living Trust
Last Will & Testament
Durable Power of Attorney
Advance Healthcare Directive
Quitclaim Deed
Who Needs an Estate Plan in Los Angeles?
Los Angeles Homeowners
If you own a home in Los Angeles, Burbank, Pasadena, or anywhere else in California, your property will almost certainly trigger a formal probate if it's not held in a living trust. On a home valued at $900,000 (modest by LA standards), the statutory probate attorney fee alone is $21,000. A properly funded living trust costs a fraction of that and eliminates the probate process entirely.
Parents of Minor Children
A will is the only legal document that allows you to nominate a guardian for your minor children. Without one, a California family court decides who raises your children if something happens to you. Your estate plan can also ensure funds are available to the guardian to cover your children's living expenses, education, and care so the guardian is never financially burdened.
Business Owners
If you own a business in California (an LLC, sole proprietorship, corporation, or partnership), an estate plan ensures your business interests are transferred or managed according to your wishes rather than frozen in probate court. Your plan can include succession language, buy-sell agreement coordination, and specific instructions that protect your partners, employees, and the business itself.
Blended Families
Without a carefully structured estate plan, California's default inheritance rules can unintentionally favor one side of a blended family over another. We work with blended families often, and a trust with specific distribution terms ensures your assets go exactly to the people you intend and not to those you don't.
Adults Caring for Aging Parents
If your parents don't yet have estate plans, now is the time to act, ideally while they're healthy and able to make informed decisions. We're experienced in helping adult children navigate this process with both compassion and urgency, including situations involving cognitive decline or serious illness. These conversations aren't easy, but they're necessary.
Any Adult Over 18
Estate planning isn't reserved for retirees. A durable power of attorney and healthcare directive are essential for any adult because accidents, illness, and emergencies can happen at any age. As a parent, I'll want my daughter to have these documents before she heads to college. Without them, your family has no legal authority to act on your behalf, even in a medical emergency.
Estate Planning That Comes to You: In-Home Legal Services
We understand that visiting a law office isn't always easy or convenient. For elderly clients, individuals with mobility challenges, those in care facilities, or busy families managing demanding schedules, Best Coast Estate Law offers in-home legal services throughout the Los Angeles area*.
We travel directly to your home, assisted living facility, or another location of your choosing to complete your estate plan in a comfortable, familiar setting. You receive the same thorough, professional service as an in-office visit, with zero need to travel.
Learn more about our in-home legal services→
*Our in-home legal services are offered within a 10-mile radius of either our Burbank or Palm Springs office.
Serving Los Angeles Families Throughout the Region
Areas We Serve
Burbank
Glendale
Pasadena
Studio City
Sherman Oaks
Valley Village
North Hollywood
Van Nuys
Encino
Tarzana
Woodland Hills
Calabasas
West Hollywood
Los Feliz
Silver Lake
Culver City
Santa Monica
Mar Vista
Torrance
Whittier
Arcadia
Monrovia
San Gabriel
Alhambra
El Monte
Pomona
About Best Coast Estate Law
Women-Owned & Operated
Best Coast Estate Law is a women-owned and operated estate planning and probate law firm with offices in Burbank and Palm Springs, California, founded by attorney Brittany Britton. Brittany’s dedication to personalized service, clear communication, and expert legal work has earned recognition on Avvo and a loyal base of clients across Los Angeles County.
Our team (including probate and estate planning attorney Lisa West and Victoria) brings genuine care and deep expertise to every client relationship. We understand that estate planning involves not just legal decisions but deeply personal ones, and we approach every conversation with that in mind. We’re proud members of the Women’s Lawyer Association of Los Angeles (WLALA) and the Studio City Collaborative, and we’ve helped hundreds of Southern California families protect what matters most to them. Ask about our in-home legal services →
Frequently Asked Questions
Our team specializes in simplifying the estate-planning process so you and your loved ones can feel certain about every decision. Start with this overview, and then book a consultation when you’re ready to talk more.
Understanding Estate Planning in California
What is an estate?
Your estate is the net worth of all of your assets after debts are paid. But what actually counts as an asset? More than most people realize: bank accounts, real property, life insurance policies, retirement accounts, brokerage accounts, mutual funds, stocks, gold and silver, personal belongings, artwork, automobiles, timeshares, boats, planes, ATVs, and business interests. Basically, your estate is made up of any property titled in your name, as well as any personal property and financial accounts you own. After last expenses and debts are paid, the total value remaining is your estate. Whether your estate includes one or all of these assets, you can benefit from a comprehensive estate plan that will grow with you as you grow your wealth.
What is an estate plan, and what does it include in California?
A California estate plan is a coordinated set of legal documents that determines what happens to your assets when you die, who manages your affairs if you become incapacitated, and who cares for your minor children if you’re unable to. A complete plan typically includes: (1) a revocable living trust to hold assets and avoid probate; (2) a pour-over will to capture assets not in the trust; (3) a durable power of attorney for financial decisions; (4) an advance healthcare directive for medical decisions; and (5) a quitclaim deed to transfer real estate into the trust. All five documents work together as a unified system.
What is an estate plan, and what does it include in California?
A California estate plan is a coordinated set of legal documents that determines what happens to your assets when you die, who manages your affairs if you become incapacitated, and who cares for your minor children if you’re unable to. A complete plan typically includes: (1) a revocable living trust to hold assets and avoid probate; (2) a pour-over will to capture assets not in the trust; (3) a durable power of attorney for financial decisions; (4) an advance healthcare directive for medical decisions; and (5) a quitclaim deed to transfer real estate into the trust. All five documents work together as a unified system.
Why do I need an estate plan in California?
In California, if you don’t have an estate plan, the probate court determines who controls your assets after your death, who manages your financial affairs during incapacity, and who takes custody of your minor children. An estate plan gives you the legal authority to make all of these decisions yourself, protecting your family from court involvement, unnecessary expense, and potentially years of delay. During crisis, the peace of mind and ease of having your estate plan in order is priceless. Even a basic estate plan can save your family tens of thousands of dollars and months of hardship.
Do I need an estate planning attorney in Los Angeles, or can I do it myself?
While California doesn’t require an attorney to create an estate plan, DIY estate plans frequently contain errors that invalidate documents or fail to accomplish the client’s actual goals. We’ve encountered clients who purchased plans on LegalZoom or used legal document preparation companies, and while those services guarantee the document will be legally binding, they can’t guarantee that nothing was missed. California estate planning involves community property rules, specific execution requirements, and probate laws that differ significantly from other states. A qualified Los Angeles estate planning attorney ensures your documents are legally valid, properly coordinated, and tailored to your specific assets and family situation. Mistakes in a DIY plan can cost your family far more in legal fees and probate costs than a professionally drafted plan ever would.
How much does estate planning cost in Los Angeles?
We offer flat fees for clients beginning the process of estate planning. If you have an existing estate plan, we will review and modify that plan at our hourly rate. Learn more about our flat-rate packages and pricing.
Trusts, Wills & Probate Avoidance
What is the difference between a trust and a will in California?
In California, the primary difference between a trust and a will is that a trust avoids probate court while a will does not. If you only have a will, your estate will typically go through the California probate process after your death, a court-supervised administration that takes one to two years and costs a statutory percentage of your estate’s gross value in attorney fees. A living trust allows your family to administer your estate privately, typically within weeks or months, with no court involvement. For most California residents who own real estate or have significant assets, a trust is the better option, though a complete estate plan includes both.
Do I need a living trust if I own a home in California?
For most California homeowners, yes. Because California real estate values are high and the probate threshold is relatively low, most homes will trigger a formal probate if not held in a trust. On a home worth $900,000, the statutory probate attorney fee alone is $21,000, and the personal representative is entitled to the same amount on top of that. A living trust avoids this entirely, keeps the transfer private, and can typically be completed in weeks rather than over a year in court. Learn more about California living trusts →
Should I put my child's name on my property to avoid probate?
No. This is one of the most common and costly estate planning mistakes in California. Adding your child’s name to your property can trigger significant capital gains tax consequences when the property is eventually sold, expose your home to your child’s creditors and legal judgments, and is very difficult to undo if you change your mind. The legally sound way to transfer California real estate outside of probate is through a properly funded living trust or, in limited circumstances, a transfer-on-death deed. An attorney-drafted estate plan also gives you the flexibility to make updates throughout your life.
What happens if someone dies without a will or trust in California?
If a California resident dies without any estate plan (called dying intestate), their assets are distributed according to California’s intestate succession laws, which follow a fixed hierarchy: spouse, children, parents, siblings, and more distant relatives. The estate goes through the full probate court process regardless, typically taking one to two years. Unmarried partners, close friends, stepchildren in most cases, and any charities the person wished to benefit receive nothing. The entire process is also a public record.
Is California probate really that bad?
Yes. California is widely recognized as one of the most expensive and time-consuming probate states in the country. In Los Angeles, all probate matters are handled exclusively at the Los Angeles Superior Court (Stanley Mosk Courthouse), adding an additional layer of logistics for families already navigating a difficult time. A typical probate takes one to two years and involves mandatory publication fees, court filing fees, appraiser fees, and statutory attorney fees calculated as a percentage of the gross estate value, not the net value. This means fees are based on the full amount even if there’s a large mortgage. Probate is also entirely public record, meaning your assets, debts, and beneficiaries are visible to anyone. A properly structured estate plan avoids all of this. Learn more about California probate →
Powers of Attorney, Healthcare Directives & Guardianship
What is the difference between a power of attorney and an advance healthcare directive?
How do I name a guardian for my minor children in California?
What is Medi-Cal estate recovery, and how does an estate plan protect against it?
Working With Best Coast Estate Law
How long does it take to create an estate plan with Best Coast Estate Law?
Can I update or change my estate plan after it's created?
Does Best Coast Estate Law offer in-home estate planning consultations?
How do I protect my business with an estate plan in California?
What areas does Best Coast Estate Law serve?
What is the difference between a power of attorney and an advance healthcare directive?
These are two separate documents serving two different purposes. A durable power of attorney appoints a trusted person to manage your financial affairs (paying bills, managing investments, handling real estate transactions, and filing taxes) if you become unable to do so yourself. An advance healthcare directive appoints a healthcare agent to make medical decisions on your behalf and documents your specific healthcare wishes, including end-of-life preferences and organ donation. Both are essential components of a complete estate plan. Without them, your family may have no legal authority to act on your behalf in a crisis. We’ve seen families forced into conservatorship proceedings because these documents weren’t in place. It’s expensive, public, and entirely avoidable.
How do I name a guardian for my minor children in California?
If you have minor children, you can nominate a guardian in your will. The nominated guardian would have the rights and responsibilities of a parent and would have custody of your children if you and the other parent are unable to care for them. When we draft wills for clients with minor children, we always include a guardianship nomination, and we encourage parents to think carefully about this decision. You can include conditions, such as requiring the guardian to reside in a specific area or provide frequent contact with the child’s extended family. You can also ensure funds are available to the guardian so they’re not financially burdened by caring for your child. Without a will naming a guardian, a California family court makes this decision entirely on its own.
What is Medi-Cal estate recovery, and how does an estate plan protect against it?
Medi-Cal estate recovery is a California program that allows the state to seek reimbursement from a deceased person’s probate estate for Medi-Cal benefits paid during their lifetime, including nursing home care, in-home supportive services, and other long-term care costs. If your estate goes through probate, Medi-Cal can file a claim that reduces or eliminates what your heirs receive. A properly structured estate plan (particularly one that uses a living trust to avoid probate) can help protect your estate from these recovery claims. This is a critical planning consideration for seniors and their families throughout California.
