Our Most Frequently Asked Estate Planning Questions
If you are thinking about creating or updating an estate plan, these answers can help you better understand what documents you may need, when to update your plan, and why working with an experienced estate planning attorney matters.
What Documents Are Needed for an Estate Plan?
A comprehensive estate plan typically includes a revocable living trust, a pour-over will, a durable power of attorney for finances, an advance health care directive, and a HIPAA authorization. Together, these documents help protect you during your lifetime and after your death.
California does not legally require you to hire an attorney, but working with a qualified estate planning lawyer is strongly recommended. Improperly drafted documents can lead to costly court proceedings, family disputes, and unintended outcomes.
Can I Do Estate Planning Online or With a DIY Kit?
Online tools and DIY kits may create documents that appear valid, but they often contain errors, omissions, or provisions that may not comply with California law. An experienced estate planning attorney can help make sure your plan works when your family needs it most.
You should review your estate plan at least every three years and after major life changes such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, the death of a beneficiary, or a significant change in your assets.
Jane was easy to talk to. She listened to what we wanted done and had everything prepared at
the next meeting.
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Always get great service and advice from KMO. Been a client for 40+ years.
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★★★★★
“Mom and Dad used Kavesh, Minor & Otis in the late 80’s for their estate planning. Mom passed in 2008 and dad passed in 2025. My brother and I contacted the law firm after being frustrated trying to deal with the situation by ourselves. MAN was it worth the call! Eight months later and we are almost done! Attorney Jane Lee is amazing! Love her for her patience. And Tammy and Jacqueline on the support staff are some of the best people I’ve ever done business with. Efficient is an understatement! Responsive beyond belief! Thank you again to Jane, Tammy and Jacqueline for all the help and you will be highly recommended.”
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★★★★★
“Peter was very knowledgeable regarding Estate Planning.”
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★★★★★
“Very informative and clear.”
When You Want the Best for Your Loved Ones, Choose Us.
Experience and Expertise. Estate planning and post-death administration are all we do. Our attorneys have over 70 years of combined expertise in the field, and and all of our attorneys have passed an additional Bar examination and peer review process to become State Bar Certified Specialists in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law. Two of our attorneys also have Master’s Degrees in Tax Law, giving us unique insight into how estate tax and income tax will affect your family’s inheritance.
Customization and Attention to Detail. Before we create or update your estate plan, we get to know you, your goals, and what matters to you most. We take the time to listen to your concerns and attend to each of your unique needs and desires as if they were our own. When we complete your plan, we perform a detailed quality control process to help ensure your objectives are met. We also provide you with a personalized Owner’s Manual containing all of your important documents, and and provide your successor Trustee with a Manual containing helpful, plain-English checklists and easy-to-follow procedures to follow when the time comes to act.
Lifetime Relationship. All of our estate plans include a free ongoing service package. We take phone calls any time you have questions, perform free estate planning checkups every three years, and keep you abreast of changes in the law and planning strategies with our complimentary newsletters and educational seminars. And, when the time comes, we will be there to help your trustee and loved ones.
