Glen Ellen

Estate Planning Attorney Serving Glen Ellen

Most adults recognize the need for an estate plan, yet this tends to be one thing that many of us put off—sometimes until it’s too late. Regardless of your age or level of assets, chances are that you could significantly benefit from having an estate plan that reflects your goals and wishes. While procrastination is normal—many of us don’t want to consider our mortality, while others don’t think they have enough assets to warrant an estate plan—think about your loved ones and whether you would want them suffering additional hardship after your death or incapacitation.

Estate planning is one of those tasks that often sounds worse than reality. When you choose an experienced estate planning attorney serving Glen Ellen from Gullotta Law Group, you have taken an important first step toward an estate plan that accurately reflects your wishes. We will make the process easy and comfortable for you, answering all your questions in a thorough, yet easy-to-understand manner.

Why Choose Gullotta Law Group for Your Glen Ellen Estate Planning Needs?

If you are ready to have your wishes and goals translated into an estate plan, experienced estate planning attorney Eric Gullotta is ready to assist you. No matter where you currently are in your life, you would never choose to leave your loved ones with a chaotic situation to deal with. This is what happens when you have no estate plan in place at the time of your death or incapacitation. Having a highly-skilled, knowledgeable estate planning attorney from Gullotta Law Group by your side ensures the entire process is simple and comfortable.

With fifteen years of experience in the field of estate planning, Gullotta Law Group has been prominently featured in the media for our trusted legal estate planning opinions. We consistently garner positive recommendations from past and current clients thanks to our friendly attentive staff, experienced attorneys, and unique flat-rate fees. When it comes to the future and those you care about, it is never too soon to begin estate planning. A highly experienced estate planning attorney serving Glen Ellen is ready to help you make your wishes and goals a reality.

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Stories That Speak

Trusted by Our Community, Proven Through Results

Eric and Ashley made our estate planning process easy, providing knowledge, comfort, and humor. They answered all our questions and put us at ease!

- Lisa G.
Eric and Ashley provided invaluable advice to protect my new home and plan for the future. Highly recommend the Gullotta Law Group for trust and estate planning!

- Kate M.
Eric Gullotta and his team exceeded expectations, providing thorough, compassionate, and efficient support in revising trust documents. Highly recommended!

- Beverly H.

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Overview of Estate Planning Areas Handled by Gullotta Law Group

While every person’s estate plan is unique to their circumstances and wishes, the following documents are the most common for those having an estate plan prepared.

Last Will and Testament

A will can be an important tool in an estate plan, even if you also have a trust. If you have minor children, you can name a guardian for them in your will—something you cannot do in a trust. A will can have many other positive benefits, so speak to your estate planning attorney to understand its uses and limitations.

Power of Attorney Documents

A financial or medical power of attorney (POA) gives another trusted individual the power to make decisions on your behalf. You can make a financial power of attorney as broad or limited as you choose. A medical power of attorney allows another person to make health care decisions on your behalf when you are incapacitated and unable to do so.

Advance Health Care Directive

An Advance Health Care Directive is an important document that allows you to clearly state your wishes for end-of-life care. You can decide what medical interventions you would want and which you would not, and can also communicate your desire to be an organ donor. This document makes your wishes crystal clear, saving your loved ones from having to make those difficult decisions.

Trusts

There are many different types of trusts and only you and your estate planning attorney can determine which one(s) are right for you. The most common type of trust is a Revocable Living Trust. This document, unlike a will, does not have to go through probate. This allows your assets to be passed to your beneficiaries much more quickly, privately, and with less expense. An Irrevocable Living Trust can benefit those who want to minimize tax burdens, both during their lifetime and after, while a Special Needs Trust can help an adult child with a disability continue to receive government assistance while still receiving an inheritance.

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Rooted in Community, Driven by Integrity

Our Commitment to You

Committed to Giving Back
As active and involved members of the Sonoma community, we are dedicated to making a positive impact, both professionally and personally, for the people we serve.
Always Available for Clients
We believe in making ourselves accessible to clients when they need us most. We are committed to providing responsive support throughout the entire probate process.
Deep Roots in the Community
Born and raised in Sonoma, we are deeply familiar with the local community and its values, allowing us to provide a personalized, compassionate approach to every case.
Expertise in Complex Cases
We have the knowledge and experience to handle even the most complex probate and estate matters, providing expert solutions tailored to your unique situation.

Does Everyone Need an Estate Plan?

Virtually every single adult can benefit from some level of estate plan. If you are a young adult and just starting out, you likely have a vehicle and a bank account at a minimum and may have additional assets as well. You can designate who you would want to receive these assets with a simple will or trust. If you have minor children, having an estate plan is crucial, particularly when designating a guardian for your children. Most people have very specific wishes regarding whom they would want to raise their children, so it is crucial that this decision be memorialized in your estate plan. If your children are grown, an estate plan allows you to plan for your own future, including an unexpected incapacitation or stay in long-term care. No matter your age or level of assets, both you and your loved ones will gain significant benefits from having a carefully crafted estate plan.

What Does an Estate Planning Attorney Do?

Estate planning is not a task that benefits from a DIY approach. You could potentially spend hours and hours putting together your own estate plan using internet documents and forms only to have your loved ones find out that a single, simple mistake voided the entire document. Estate planning laws change quickly, and only an estate planning attorney who keeps up with these laws can ensure your estate plan is legal and solid. Some of the most commonly seen problems among those who did their own estate planning include:

Using jointly-held property in a manner which can cause unexpected tax burdens
Inadequate life insurance or failure to name a backup beneficiary on your life insurance policy
Choosing an executor based on emotion rather than choosing the person most qualified for the job
Failing to let a named executor know they have been chosen (About 46% of executors had no idea they had been chosen)
Making errors in estate planning documents that cause significant problems for your loved ones
Failing to plan for incapacitation or long-term care

What Questions Should I Ask My Glen Ellen Estate Planning Attorney?

To ensure you are choosing an estate planning attorney that is the best “fit” for you and your situation, consider asking the following questions:

Is estate planning your primary focus? An estate planning attorney who primarily practices estate planning day in and day out is simply better able to ensure your estate plan is strong, solid, and perfect for you and your situation.
How long have you been practicing estate planning? Gullotta Law Group has fifteen years of experience in estate planning for Californians while attorney Eric Gullotta is a Certified Public Accountant with a master’s degree in taxation.
Will you regularly review my estate plan to ensure it accurately reflects life changes or an increase or decrease in assets? Estate planning should never be a “one and done” task, rather your plan should be reviewed periodically to make sure it still meets your needs and wishes.
How do you charge for my estate planning? Gullotta Law Group offers a unique flat fee rather than hourly billing. This allows you to ask all your questions and receive comprehensive answers.
Will I work directly with the attorney? When you choose Gullotta Law Group, you will work directly with attorney Eric Gullotta throughout the process.

Hiring an Estate Planning Attorney Serving Glen Ellen to Help You

When you choose an experienced estate planning attorney serving Glen Ellen from Gullotta Law Group, you can rest easy, knowing you have chosen a solid professional with experience and knowledge. We pride ourselves on creating highly personalized estate plans for our clients that accurately reflect their goals. Our flat fee pricing means you don’t have to be constantly watching the clock as you speak to attorney Eric Gullotta. Our friendly, highly capable staff helps make your estate planning experience comfortable and easy. If you are ready to engage in estate planning, contact Gullotta Law Group today.