PRACTICE AREAS
Scherer Bradford & Lyster
An Association of Professional Law Corporations Century City 1901 Avenue of the Stars, Eleventh Floor Los Angeles, California 90067 Phone: 310-556-2433 Fax: 310-556-8945 Contact Us ~ Our Office |
Securing your Legacy
You work hard for your family, so knowing that you have planned for their long-term well-being and financial security can bring you comfort. The attorneys at Scherer Bradford & Lyster thoroughly analyze your estate and strategize the best means of transferring your assets, minimizing taxes, establishing guardianship for your children, caring for your pets, supporting personal philanthropic causes and protecting your loved ones. Revocable Living Trusts and Last Will and Testament An estate plan is essential at every stage of your life. Your estate plan provides the opportunity to distribute your property, establish care for your children and otherwise express your wishes upon your death. An estate plan, whether simply a will or a revocable living trust, is necessary if you intend to leave property to somebody besides a blood relative, such as a domestic partner, friend or charity. If you die without a will or trust, the court determines how your property is distributed, who cares for your children and even what happens to your beloved pet — decisions that might not reflect your desires. In addition, medical directives, as part of your estate plan, can set parameters for medical intervention should you become incapacitated. This assures that when you are most vulnerable, your wishes will be honored. Updating your Estate Plan As your life changes, so might your estate plan. You may need to update your will throughout your life. Scherer Bradford & Lyster can amend your estate plan to address changes in your financial situation, marital status, number of children, philanthropic interests and general lifestyle decisions. In addition, frequent changes in tax, trust and probate law may older impact estate planning documents. Therefore, a periodic review of these documents may ensure that your wishes are fulfilled. Revocable Living Trusts - Irrevocable Trusts Scherer Bradford & Lyster helps people create trusts to ensure that their assets are properly managed and held for the future use of their family members or designated beneficiaries. The assets held by a trust can be used to pay for necessary medical, educational and health-related expenses for the trust's beneficiaries. Because a trust is designed to exist for a certain period of time, the courts require that a trustee be chosen to administer and be responsible for the management of the trust. Trusts may be included in your will or as a separate legal entity. Trusts may be used to avoid the probate process, to minimize estate and income taxes, to manage and distribute gifts to children and grandchildren, and to hold life insurance policies to minimize estate taxes.. Probate Administration The attorneys at Scherer Bradford & Lyster apply their extensive knowledge about the California probate court to guide you through the complex process of probating a will. They assist executors in all steps of the process, including:
Probate & Trust Disputes and Litigation When disputes occur between beneficiaries, or between beneficiaries and trustees or executors, the firm has experience to represent your interests. Whether you are a beneficiary or a trustee or executor, the attorneys at Scherer Bradford & Lyster have the extensive knowledge to challenge invalid wills and trusts or to defend valid wills and trusts against the improper assertions of dissatisfied beneficiaries. The attorneys at Scherer Bradford & Lyster are skilled mediators and litigators who can negotiate between beneficiaries to preserve relationships or diligently pursue your rights in court when necessary. Contact us for an appointment For estate planning or probate legal services in Los Angeles and throughout California, call Scherer Bradford & Lyster at 310-556-2433 or contact the firm online to schedule an initial consultation. |
