The attorneys at Curd, Galindo & Smith, L.L.P. prepare individually tailored estate planning documents designed to accomplish the goals of the client, avoid probate administration, preserve assets and minimize any tax implications. From our offices in Long Beach, we represent clients in Los Angeles and Orange counties and throughout California. Our areas of representation include: 

Wills, Living Trusts and Related Documents 

We prepare estate planning documents including: 

• Wills: We prepare simple wills for clients, as well as pour-over wills, which are wills which are designed to work in unison with a living trust. We also prepare wills with guardianship provisions for our clients’ minor children. 
• Revocable Living Trusts: We prepare living trusts and assist our clients in properly funding their trust in order to avoid the necessity of a probate administration on the death of a client.  
• Financial Powers of Attorney: We prepare financial powers of attorney designating a person or persons to manage the financial affairs of our clients in the event they become incapacitated. 
• Advance Health Care Directives: We prepare advance health care directives allowing our clients to designate a person or persons to make medical decisions on their behalf and carry out their wishes with regard to health care. 

Probate Administration 

Probate refers to the process where a court oversees the administration of a deceased person’s estate. The purpose of probate administration is to ensure that any final bills and expenses of the decedent are paid, including any taxes owed, and any remaining assets are distributed to the beneficiaries named in the decedent’s will. If the decedent died without a will, or “intestate,” the decedent’s estate will be distributed to the decedent’s heirs as defined under California’s laws governing intestate succession.  

The probate attorneys at Curd, Galindo & Smith, L.L.P. have a wealth of experience in probate administration, and have handled estates of all sizes, ranging from modest estates to estates involving significant assets. Our goal is to administer every estate with a minimum of expense and delay. We work closely with the estate fiduciary to marshall and value the assets of the estate, settle claims against the estate, swiftly and efficiently steer the estate through the probate process, and transfer title to assets to the heirs and other beneficiaries of the decedent.  

Seek Experienced Legal Counsel 

We welcome the opportunity to serve your estate planning and probate administration needs. Contact Curd, Galindo & Smith, L.L.P. by e-mail, or call (562) 624-1177 to schedule a consultation with an experienced estate planning attorney.