Mortensen & Reinheimer, PC -- serving Laguna Woods

Residents of Laguna Woods will be pleased to learn of the capabilities of Mortensen & Reinheimer, PC. We serve the estate planning, trusts and probate needs of senior citizens of virtually all income levels. We believe that the most important estate planning objectives are protecting what you have earned, and planning to provide for your loved ones. Our firm’s goal is to ensure that your estate plan accurately reflects your desires and safeguards your wealth.

What is estate planning?
Estate planning refers to a comprehensive set of legal tools, such as a will, trusts, beneficiary designations, powers of appointment, property ownership, gift, and powers of attorney, specifically the durable financial power of attorney and the durable medical power of attorney.

What is the difference between a will and Power of Attorney for healthcare?
A living will sets out directives concerning end of life decisions. A durable power of attorney provides all medical decision-making authority to an appointed individual upon incapacity, including end of life decisions. Some people have both a living will and a health care power of attorney. Some, who wish to give complete discretion to a loved one, including end of life decision, have only a health care power of attorney.

What is a living trust?
A revocable living trust is often seen as a preferable alternative to the basic will. Some advantages of a living trust include privacy, reduced probate costs and specifically defined management of your assets. A living trust allows all or some of your assets to be administered by someone you know and trust, without court involvement and without public access.

What is probate?
Probate is the legal process of administering the estate of a deceased person by resolving all claims and distributing the deceased person's property under the valid will. A surrogate court decides the validity of a testator's will. A probate interprets the instructions of the deceased, decides the executor as the personal representative of the estate, and adjudicates the interests of heirs and other parties who may have claims against the estate.

How do I select qualified estate planning attorneys?
As experienced estate planning attorneys, Mortensen & Reinheimer, PC knows how important it is to you that your final wishes be carried out as you desire. This is why it is essential that you seek qualified legal assistance for your probate administration needs. If your combined personal and real property exceeds $100,000 in value, you need more than a basic will; you need estate planning that ensures your finances and property are administered in accordance with your wishes.

Mortensen & Reinheimer, PC offers a complete range of estate planning services and options to clients throughout Orange County. To learn more about our estate planning services, living trusts and probate administrating services call Mortensen & Reinheimer, PC at (714) 573-7149, or e-mail us atmailto:info@ocestateplanning.net and we will immediately contact you to schedule an initial estate planning consultation..