Build your legacy with confidence. Barr & Douds provides experienced and compassionate estate planning services tailored to the unique needs of Berkeley families.
We’re here to help you protect your assets, provide for your loved ones, and gain peace of mind for the future.
Call today for a free consultation: 925.314.9999 or 925.255.1749.
Estate Planning Designed for Berkeley Families
Berkeley is a community known for its intellectual curiosity, diverse perspectives, and commitment to social responsibility. At Barr & Douds, we understand these values are often reflected in the estate planning goals of our Berkeley clients. We’re dedicated to providing legal strategies that honor your wishes and protect what matters most.
Our Berkeley estate planning attorneys take the time to get to know you — your family dynamics, your assets, and your goals for the future. Then we craft personalized legal documents that reflect your unique wishes, including:
Wills
A foundational estate planning document, your will allows you to clearly state how your assets should be distributed after your passing, name guardians for minor children, and designate an executor to carry out your wishes.
Trusts
Our team has extensive experience establishing and managing trusts tailored to your needs, such as:
- Revocable Living Trusts: Provide flexibility to manage assets during your lifetime and avoid probate.
- Irrevocable Trusts: Offer potential tax benefits and asset protection.
- Special Needs Trusts: Ensure a loved one with disabilities receives proper care without jeopardizing government benefits.
- Charitable Trusts: Support causes you care about and potentially reduce tax liabilities.
We’ll work with you to understand your goals and develop a plan that protects your assets appropriately.
Powers of Attorney
Grant a trusted person the authority to act on your behalf for financial or healthcare matters if you become incapacitated, making sure decisions align with your values. A durable power of attorney for finances covers banking, investments, real estate, and more. A durable power of attorney for healthcare allows someone to make medical decisions for you if you are unable to.
Advance Healthcare Directives
Create documents that ensure your medical wishes are respected, even in situations where you can’t communicate them yourself. A living will specifies your desires regarding life-sustaining treatment, and HIPAA authorization allows designated individuals to access your medical information.
Probate and Trust Administration
We guide families through the legal and financial complexities of settling an estate after a loved one passes, minimizing stress and disputes.
Probate litigation involves representing beneficiaries, heirs, and personal representatives in court proceedings. We also resolve conflicts involving trustee actions, beneficiary rights, and trust interpretation.
Why Choose Barr & Douds for Your Estate Plan?
Estate planning can be overwhelming. With Barr & Douds, you’re not just getting legal documents; you’re gaining a trusted partner dedicated to protecting your legacy and ensuring your peace of mind.
Here’s why Berkeley families choose us:
- Experience in Complex Matters: We have over 17 years of experience with blended families, business succession planning, and estates with significant real estate holdings.
- Certified Specialist on Our Team: Loren Barr holds the distinction of Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law.
- Understanding of Estate Litigation: Our attorneys have a deep understanding of estate litigation, which informs our approach to estate planning.
- Clear Communication and Guidance: We believe in empowering our clients through knowledge by providing clear explanations of complex legal concepts.
We also understand the importance Berkeley residents place on social responsibility and community involvement. We can help you incorporate your values into your estate plan through charitable giving strategies and other legacy planning tools.
We proudly serve clients throughout:
- Berkeley
- Oakland
- Emeryville
- Albany
- El Cerrito
- Richmond
- San Pablo
- Alameda County
