California
Estate Planning
Other firms hand you a binder and call it done. We build living plans designed for families, rooted in your values, and structured to grow with you.
What We Plan
Meridians Estate Planning helps individuals and families put clear, thoughtful plans in place — for the moments that matter most, and the ones we hope never come. Whether you’re just starting to think about a will, working through a trust, or need experienced guidance administering an estate, you’ll find a firm that takes the time to understand your life before drafting a single document.
Revocable Living Trusts
The foundation of your estate plan — flexible, private, and designed to evolve with your family. Avoids probate and keeps your family’s affairs out of public record.
Advance Healthcare Directives
Your wishes for medical care, documented clearly and legally. Peace of mind that your healthcare preferences will be honored.
Wills & Guardianship
Who raises your children if you can’t. The most important decision most young parents haven’t made yet. We pair a pour-over will with your trust for complete alignment.
Asset Alignment
Ensuring your accounts, property, and policies actually flow through the plan you’ve built. A plan without proper funding is just paper.
Powers of Attorney
Healthcare and financial decision-making, aligned with your values and wishes. Ensures the right people can act on your behalf if you’re unable to.
Business Succession
For founders and partners — structuring ownership transitions that protect your business, your family, and your partners.
Your legacy isn’t a static thing.
It moves. It changes. It flows.
Take the first step toward a plan that grows with your family. Schedule a free consultation — no pressure, no jargon.
Our Approach
Planning that flows with the life you’re building.
At Meridians, estate planning isn’t just paperwork. Every family has its own flow of values, wealth, and intention. Our process is designed to be simple, thorough, and built around your life and wishes.
01
Align
A free consultation to understand your family, your goals, and what matters most to you.
02
Roadmap
We guide you through a streamlined questionnaire that captures everything we need — your family structure, assets, and wishes.
03
Draft
We build your custom plan: trust, will, powers of attorney, healthcare directives — all aligned and working together.
04
Activate
Signing your custom plan and guidance through the asset alignment process — we make sure everything is funded and flowing correctly.
Why It Matters
The cost of not planning.
In California, the consequences of having no estate plan are real and measurable.
Your estate plan is not a document. It’s a living system of alignment.
67%
Adults Without a Plan
Two-thirds of American adults have no estate plan. Among parents with minor children, the number is even higher.
18 months
Average California Probate
Without a trust, your estate goes through probate — a public, court-supervised process averaging 12–18 months in California.
4–8%
Probate Costs
Attorney and executor fees in California probate are set by statute and can consume 4–8% of your estate’s value.
Common Questions
We believe in clarity.
Estate planning doesn’t have to be confusing. Here are the questions we hear most from families like yours.
Do I Need a Trust if I’m in My 30s?
If you own property in California, have children, or have assets you want to protect — yes. A revocable living trust avoids probate, ensures your wishes are followed, and gives you control over how your assets flow to the people you love. It’s especially vital for young families, because it’s where you name guardians and create a plan for your children’s care.
What’s the Difference Between a Will and a Trust?
A will goes through probate — a public, court-supervised process that can take 12–18 months in California. A revocable living trust avoids probate entirely, keeps your affairs private, and allows for seamless transfer of assets. Most California families benefit from having both: a trust as the primary vehicle, and a pour-over will as a safety net.
How Much Does Estate Planning Cost?
A trust-based estate plan for a young family typically ranges from $2,500 to $5,000, depending on complexity. We offer transparent, flat-fee pricing — you’ll know exactly what to expect before we begin. No hourly billing, no surprises.
What Happens if I Die Without an Estate Plan?
Without an estate plan, California’s intestacy laws decide who inherits your assets — and it may not match your wishes. A court will also choose who raises your minor children. The process is public, expensive, and slow. An estate plan ensures you decide, not the state.
How Long Does the Process Take?
Most families complete their entire estate plan in 3–4 weeks from the initial consultation to the signing ceremony. We’ve streamlined the process so you can complete your questionnaire online, review drafts at your pace, and schedule signing at a time that works for you.
Can I Update My Plan Later?
Absolutely — and you should. Life changes: new children, moves, purchases, career shifts. A revocable living trust is designed to be amended as your life evolves. We offer maintenance plans and annual check-ins to keep your plan aligned with your current reality.
Get Started
Let’s find your family’s direction.
Share a few details and we’ll reach out within one business day to schedule your free consultation. No pressure, no jargon — just a conversation about what matters to you.
- Free 30-minute consultation
- Transparent, flat-fee pricing
- Streamlined online questionnaire
- Plans completed in 3–4 weeks