Antioch, CA - Throughout an individual's life or career, their loved ones are usually the first priority, and that doesn't change even as they grow older. For Law Offices of Joel A. Harris, the best way to ensure families and legacies are taken care of is to establish an estate plan while a person is still of sound mind, to protect their family's future.
Yet, when many people hear the word "estate," they often associate it with extreme wealth, high-value assets, or elderly individuals. In reality, everyone has an estate, regardless of age or income level. An estate includes everything a person owns: a car, a home, other real estate, bank accounts, investments, life insurance policies, furniture, and personal belongings.
Having practiced estate planning for over 35 years, Attorney Joel Harris has seen that most individuals want to retain control over how their assets are distributed to loved ones or organizations they care about most, even after their passing. This is why the estate planning attorney ensures a client's wishes are carried out by providing instructions that specify who receives what and when, with the least amount of tax, legal fees, or court costs.
Law Offices of Joel A. Harris has extensive experience in preparing comprehensive estate planning documents, including wills that cover everything from straightforward asset distribution, such as who inherits a vehicle, to more complex plans involving multiple beneficiaries. The firm also drafts a variety of trusts, including living trusts, irrevocable trusts, charitable trusts, and special needs trusts, tailored to meet each client's unique goals.
Additionally, Law Offices of Joel A. Harris prepares powers of attorney, allowing a trusted individual to manage financial or legal affairs if the client becomes incapacitated, as well as advance healthcare directives that designate medical decision-makers and express end-of-life care preferences.
For family business owners seeking to safeguard their legacy, attorney Joel Harris offers business succession plans designed to ensure a smooth transition of leadership and ownership. These plans include detailed strategies that outline how and when control will shift, minimizing disruption while preserving the long-term vision of the business. Integral to these strategies are carefully structured buy-sell agreements, which help prevent internal disputes among co-owners in the event of death, disability, or retirement. The firm's family business transition services are tailored to pass control to the next generation in a way that reflects both the family's values and the business's long-term goals.
When an estate must go through probate, Law Offices of Joel A. Harris has extensive experience with California probate law and can assist with estate inventory, creditor negotiations, and asset distribution. As a firm focused on estate planning for Bay Area families, Joel Harris prioritizes educating clients on avoiding probate, which assets may go into probate, the real costs of probate in California, common estate planning mistakes to avoid, and more.
With a personalized approach rooted in decades of experience, Law Offices of Joel A. Harris empowers Bay Area individuals and families to take control of their future. Whether the goal is to avoid probate, protect a family business, or ensure loved ones are cared for without legal complications, attorney Joel Harris and his team offer practical guidance and comprehensive estate planning solutions tailored to each client's needs.
About Law Offices of Joel A. Harris
Law Offices of Joel A. Harris is a boutique estate planning and probate law firm serving clients in Antioch, Berkeley, Brentwood, Danville, Discovery Bay, Lafayette, Lamorinda, Moraga, Oakland, and surrounding Bay Area communities. Led by Attorney Joel A. Harris, a State Bar Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law, and recognized as a perennial California Super Lawyer, the firm creates customized estate plans that comply with all legal requirements and deadlines.
Media Contact
Name
Law Offices of Joel A. Harris
Contact phone
(925) 757-4605
Contact address
511 W 3rd St
City
Antioch
State
CA
Zip
94509
Country
United States
Url
https://www.joelharrislaw.com/