At Barr & Douds, our San Leandro estate planning lawyers help you put clear, enforceable instructions in place for property, health decisions, and family care. We draft the documents, explain the choices, and make sure your plan reflects what you want — so the court doesn’t have to decide later.
What Estate Planning Is and Why It Matters
Estate planning involves a coordinated set of documents that directs what happens to your assets during life and after. With a solid plan, you decide who is in charge, how property is handled, and how loved ones are protected.
A well-built plan can deliver the following benefits:
- Keep real estate and savings moving to the right people without delay.
- Reduce court involvement by using the right planning tools.
- Appoint trusted decision-makers for medical and financial matters.
- Provide structure for children and dependents.
- Lower the costs that often arise when no plan exists.
Who Should Consider a Plan Now?
Some people need planning more urgently than others. If any of these describe you, it’s time to act:
- You own a home or rental property in San Leandro or Alameda County.
- You’re raising minor children who would need a guardian.
- You manage a family business or hold interests that require succession planning.
- You’re approaching retirement and want to simplify matters for loved ones.
- You want to avoid disputes and keep instructions easy to follow.
Working with our estate planning attorneys ensures your plan fits your life today and adapts as circumstances change.
Estate Planning Services We Offer
Before we prepare documents, we discuss your goals and explain how each tool works. Then we tailor the mix to suit your priorities.
Wills
A properly constructed will states who inherits property, names guardians for children, and provides instructions that the court will honor.
Revocable Living Trusts
A living trust keeps transfers private, allows management during incapacity, and can shorten or avoid court proceedings.
Trustee Guidance
We advise trustees on duties, timelines, and reports, helping them serve beneficiaries fairly and efficiently.
Powers of Attorney
These documents authorize a trusted person to manage banking, contracts, and other financial decisions if you cannot.
Health Care Directives
You record treatment preferences and choose someone to speak with doctors so that your wishes are respected.
Irrevocable Trusts
Used for long-term protection, these trusts can preserve assets for future generations while addressing certain tax concerns.
Each plan is drafted by a San Leandro estate planning lawyer who aligns the legal language with your intentions.
