Irvine Wills & Trust Lawyer

Experienced Estate Planning Lawyer for California Families

Serving Clients in Orange County - Riverside County - Los Angeles County

At the Law Offices of Melanie L. Oldham, in Irvine, our estate planning practice serves the diverse needs of California families. We draft and review wills and trusts. We also handle other estate planning documents, including creation of healthcare directives, HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) documents, powers of attorney, and guardianships.

An estate plan is more than just a will. While a will helps distribute your assets among loved ones after you pass away, estate planning may create an estate, may increase an estate to meet the needs of the owners and their families, and may preserve and protect an estate from unnecessary taxes.

A health care directive, for example, helps healthcare providers give you the care of your choice when a serious accident or terminal condition prevents you from making your own decisions. A power of attorney can help a loved one access your bank accounts and manage your finances during this time.

When Should I Have an Estate Plan?

People often begin to think about a will as they age, but the truth is that adults of all ages need estate plans. Many families create estate plans when they have children, so that they can be certain their children will be cared for in accordance with their wishes — not the courts.

Finalization of a divorce is often a smart time to make sure that estate planning documents are in order, since your assets — and who you would like to give those assets to — may change significantly. At the Law Offices of Melanie L. Oldham, we often discuss these documents with clients as part of our representation.

Contact the Law Offices of Melanie L. Oldham

Contact us by calling 949-622-5522 for a consultation. Off-site, evening and weekend appointments are available for our clients' convenience. We accept all major credit cards.