Services
Estate Planning
What happens to YOU if you become incapacitated?
What happens to your STUFF when you pass away?
Usher Law Group's Estate Planning Practice consists of the following:
Living Trusts
Tax Planning
Wills
Power of Attorney for Health Care or Living Wills
Special Needs Trust
Life Insurance Charitable and other Irrevocable Trusts
Business Succession Planning
Limited Liability Companies
Charitable Giving (Charitable remainder trusts, Charitable lead trusts, Charitable gift annuities, Endowment funds, Donor advised funds).
Pet Trusts
Trust Administration Services
Probate Avoidance
ULG Living Trust-Centered Estate Plan
ULG starts with the premise that every estate, regardless of size, is an important one. Whatever the size of your estate, you have spent your life accumulating it and want to preserve it from unnecessary taxes and administration fees and costs so that you can plan in a meaningful way for those you care about.
Our REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST is the centerpiece of our Comprehensive ESTATE PLAN & offers complete control to clients during their lifetime, provides for them and their loved ones in the event of their incapacity, and on death allows them to pass their assets to their loved ones without the costs, delays and publicity associated with probate.
To learn more about our living trust-centered estate plan and the other services we provide please contact us for an Initial Consultation.
Probate
In California, when a deceased person has left assets valued in excess of $150,000 which have not been placed in a living trust or joint tenancy ownership prior to death, a full PROBATE proceeding is very likely to be necessary. Full PROBATE proceedings are generally directed toward collection and management of assets, payment of debts and taxes, and the distribution of the balance of the assets as provided in the will.
If a person dies intestate, meaning without a will, California's intestate succession laws will determine how assets will be distributed to heirs. The person named to distribute the property of someone who dies intestate is called an "administrator." The person named to distribute property as directed by a will is called an "executor."
At ULG we find satisfaction in helping executors and administrators through the probate process. We handle all types of wills, prepare all legal documents, conduct all legal filings, make all court appearances, and work to conclude the probate process efficiently.
If you have been named as an executor or administrator of someone's estate, you are limited in the actions you can take without court approval. You should consult an attorney before doing anything related to the decedent's property or creditors. Contact ULG for an Initial Consultation to determine whether or not a full PROBATE is necessary in your case.
Whether you are considering the formation, acquisition, or dissolution of a business, choosing an attorney will be one of the most important business decisions you must make. Exceptional legal representation is necessary to navigate the complicated will assure you receive the best possible results.
Making prudent legal choices can maximize profits, minimize losses, create tax savings, and improve your relations with clients or customers. We strive to help you achieve business success by protecting your interests, advising you of relative legal issues and guiding you through opportunities and dilemmas as they arise.
Our firm advises and represents companies and entrepreneurs with a broad range of business related services. We advise our clients on business law, start-up assistance relating to the formation of an entity, the protection of a trademark or license agreement and assist with buying or selling a business.
C-corporation Formation
S-corporation Formation
Limited Liability Company (LLC) Formation
Partnership Formation (including LLP)
Stock Purchases
Asset Purchases
Joint Ventures
Buy-sell Agreements
Reciprocal Buy-sell Arrangements
Employee Stock Ownership Plans
Lease Agreements
Service Contracts
Releases and Waivers
Property Agreements
Shareholder Agreements
Operating Agreements
Business planning & incorporation can be confusing. With business planning & incorporation legal details that are always subject to change, finding the right business planning & incorporation attorney is crucial. Without the help of an attorney who specializes in business planning, you could be exposing yourself to personal loss with the wrong corporate structure and insurance. You could be creating expensive legal hassles by including the wrong clauses in your contracts and you could be missing out on tremendous tax benefits. ULG will guide you toward the best decisions for your business. Contact us for a Initial Consultation.
Sadly, most business owners do not plan a graceful exit. They do not do proper estate planning, which results in unnecessary estate taxes as well as little planning for a successful transition to the next generation of business owners.
Business succession planning should not begin the year you wish to retire. Strategies that will lead to the highest paying buyers or a smooth transition to a family member are best designed and implemented over a period of time, usually 3-5 years in advance of your projected sale date.
You want to leave you heir with a business that is as strong today as possible with thought to the unexpected. Whether it is a discussion on the growth potential of your business, marketing strategies, training staff to become empowered to assume responsibility and management or an analysis of your financial statements with long term projections, a competent business succession attorney can lead you through. Usher Law Group tailors each business succession plan to meet your business' needs and goals for the future.
As the owner of a closely-held business, much of your wealth is probably tied up in the business. While returning earned income back into the business helps finance growth, it can cause severe liquidity problems for your estate when you die. After paying probate and estate taxes, your estate and surviving family members also may encounter liabilities that become payable upon your death. They may also face the potential of decreased business earnings, due to your absence. If you are concerned about how your business will survive without you, ULG can help.