Estate Planning, Probate, & Conservatorships Litigation in Redlands, CA

Estate Planning

Simply put, estate planning is the process of anticipating and arranging, during your lifetime, for the management and disposal of your assets during your life and after your passing, as well as planning for the possibility of incapacity.

The goal is to reduce or eliminate uncertainties over the administration of your estate and maximize the value of your estate by reducing taxes and other expenses. The ultimate goal of estate planning is dictated by the client, and our team will work with you to achieve your goal.

The Law Office of Trevor D. Martin will handle all aspects of estate planning, including:

Wills
Trusts
Business Succession Planning
Asset Protection
Wealth Preservation
Planning for Incapacity or Disability
Minimizing or Eliminating Federal & State Tax Liability

Probate Administration

The probate process may vary depending on a few different factors—the inclusion of a last will and testament and the value of the estate, to name a few.

Typically, however, it involves:

Providing notice to creditors
Determining the validity of a will and interpreting the provisions of a will
Valuing the estate and the assets of the estate to determine if taxes apply
Facilitating the transfer of money and property to new owners

Here at The Law Office of Trevor D. Martin, we will guide you through the fulfillment of your responsibilities and can assist with wills, trusts, probate, and estate planning. We will support you every step of the way through the Probate Process. For more information, contact our office today.

Trust Administration

If at all possible, we recommend avoiding the complex probate process. A trust is created to do just that. A trust protects your assets and transfers them to the determined beneficiaries.

The process is typically commenced upon the death or incapacity of the trust creator. The process involves the non-court monitored process of managing assets, and then transferring assets to the designated beneficiaries. While the process varies depending on the type of trust, you can rely on our experienced team to guide you through the process from start to finish.

Contact us if you have any questions!

Conservatorships

A conservatorship is a legal guardianship over an adult. A conservatorship may be necessary when an individual is no longer able to care for themselves or avoid elder financial abuse. This typically happens when someone becomes incapacitated from old age, illness, or injury; and the person does not have a proper estate plan in place, appointing someone to care for them.

When there is no estate plan in place, and the person has lost the capacity to put one in place, a conservator may need to be appointed over the person and their estate. This requires extensive court involvement, and the help of a very experienced attorney. If you believe a loved one may be in need of having a Conservatorship put in place, contact The Law Office of Trevor D. Martin today. Our office will ensure your loved one receives the protection they need.

Other Practice Areas Include:

Probate & Trust Administration

Disputes can arise even when an estate plan is in place. Probate and trust litigation involves legal challenges to the validity, administration, or distribution of a decedent’s estate. Common issues include claims of undue influence, breaches of fiduciary duty, or disagreements among beneficiaries.

These disputes often involve complex legal and emotional issues that require experienced legal counsel. Whether you are a trustee defending your actions or a beneficiary asserting your rights, our office can help you navigate these sensitive matters with clarity and confidence.

Corporate Formation &Maintenance

Choosing the right business structure and maintaining legal compliance are critical to protecting your personal assets and ensuring long-term business success. Forming a corporation or LLC involves more than just filing paperwork; it requires thoughtful planning and ongoing diligence.

Our office assists business owners with every step of formation and helps maintain corporate formalities through proper documentation, annual filings, and operational compliance. This helps ensure your business remains in good standing and insulated from liability.

If you’re launching a new business or need help maintaining your existing one, reach out to us today.

Business Succession Planning

Transitioning a business to new ownership or the next generation is one of the most important decisions an owner will face. Without a plan, unexpected events like illness, incapacity, or retirement can leave a business vulnerable and family members uncertain about the future.

Succession planning allows you to designate a clear path for your business while protecting its value and minimizing tax exposure. Whether passing your business to family members, partners, or preparing for sale, we can help you craft a strategy that reflects your goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is estate planning and why is it important?

Estate planning helps you organize how your assets will be managed and distributed during your lifetime and after death, as well as planning for possible incapacity. It ensures your wishes are honored, minimizes uncertainty and tax liability, and protects your family’s future. Our office helps you customize wills, trusts, business succession plans, asset protection, wealth preservation, and disability planning.

What is probate and how does it work in California?

Probate is the court-supervised process that validates a will, settles debts, and distributes assets. It generally involves notifying creditors, verifying the will’s legitimacy, valuing the estate, and transferring property. Probate timelines vary based on estate complexity and court caseload. Our team guides you through every step to navigate probate smoothly.

When is a conservatorship necessary?

A conservatorship becomes necessary if an adult lacks capacity to manage finances or health care and hasn’t designated someone in advance. It grants court‑appointed authority to manage affairs on their behalf. We help families obtain conservatorships to protect vulnerable loved ones from financial abuse or neglect.

What is probate and trust litigation?

Probate and trust litigation involves disputes over wills and trusts—such as validity challenges, failure to carry out the settlor’s wishes, disputes over asset distribution, or fiduciary misconduct. Our office handles contested proceedings to enforce your rights or defend your interests.

How do you help minimize estate and gift taxes?

We analyze your estate goals and use tools like revocable vs. irrevocable trusts, gifting strategies, tax exemptions, and other planning techniques to structure your wealth efficiently and reduce federal and state tax exposure in line with current laws.

Do I need a will or a trust—or both?

A will lets you designate how assets pass after death, but it requires probate. A trust often avoids probate, keeps things private, and allows more control over distribution timing. Many clients benefit from having both: a trust as the primary tool and a “pour-over” will as a safety net. We help you design whichever combination best meets your goals.

How does trust administration differ from probate?

Trust administration manages assets held in a trust without court oversight. After the trust maker’s death or incapacity, the trustee updates assets, distributes according to the trust’s terms, and provides reports to beneficiaries. This approach is often faster, more private, and less expensive than probate. We assist with every aspect of setting up and administering trusts.

What happens if I become incapacitated without planning ahead?

Without a plan, your loved ones may need to obtain a conservatorship through the court, which can be time-consuming, stressful, and public. Properly setting up advance directives, powers of attorney, and trusts now can help avoid court involvement and ensure seamless management if incapacity occurs.

Can you help with business succession planning?

Yes. We assist closely-held business owners prepare for retirement, unexpected incapacity or death by structuring buy-sell agreements, transferring shares to family or key employees, and minimizing estate tax impact to ensure smooth continued operation.

Do you offer a free consultation?

Yes—your first 30-minute consultation is free. During this meeting, we’ll review your situation, explain options, and help guide your planning priorities. Afterward, we provide a clear proposal tailored to your goals and circumstances.

Give us a call or contact us today for a free 30-minute consultation! We are happy to guide you in the right direction and answer any questions you may have.

Your Trusted Estate Attorneys in Redlands, CA