What legal documents will I need to establish my estate plan?

Establishing an estate plan in California requires various legal documents. These documents provide you with the ability to legally dictate how your assets and property will be allocated after you pass away or become incapacitated. A Last Will and Testament is the most important legal document to create an estate plan. This document includes a list of your beneficiaries, and outlines how your assets will be distributed upon your death. Additionally, it can be used to name legal guardians for minor children, name an executor to manage the estate, and make funeral and burial arrangements. In California, you may also create a Living Will, which outlines your medical care wishes should you become incapacitated. This document also allows you to name another person to make health care decisions on your behalf. A Revocable Living Trust is another document that is commonly used in estate planning. This trust allows your assets to be distributed upon your death without the need for probate court. It also allows you to be in control of your assets while you are alive and to appoint a trustee to manage your assets in the event of your incapacity. Finally, a Durable Power of Attorney document grants another person the ability to make legal and financial decisions on your behalf in the event of you becoming incapacitated. By setting up your estate plan with these important legal documents, you can ensure that your assets are distributed according to your wishes when you pass away.

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