What is a Complete Estate Plan California?
A complete California estate plan includes 5 essential documents:
- Revocable Living Trust — Avoids probate when you die ($38K-$68K+ savings)
- Pour-Over Will — Backup for assets not in trust + names guardians for minor children
- Durable Power of Attorney — Financial decisions if you're incapacitated
- Advance Healthcare Directive — Medical decisions + end-of-life wishes
- HIPAA Authorization — Allows family to access medical records
Together, these documents provide COMPLETE protection: during life, if incapacitated, and after death.
Estate Planning Package California — What's Included
| Document | What It Does | When You Need It |
|---|
| Living Trust |
Avoids probate, manages assets |
When you die |
| Pour-Over Will |
Catches forgotten assets, names guardians |
When you die |
| Financial POA |
Someone manages money if you can't |
If incapacitated |
| Healthcare Directive |
Medical decisions, end-of-life wishes |
If can't communicate |
| HIPAA Authorization |
Family accesses medical records |
Medical emergency |
Complete Trust Package California Cost Comparison
| Provider | Documents Included | Attorney Review | Cost |
|---|
| Living Trust California |
All 5 documents + deed |
✓ INCLUDED |
$150 |
| Traditional Attorney |
All 5 documents |
✓ YES |
$1,500-$3,000 |
| LegalZoom |
Trust + will only (POAs extra) |
+$199 extra |
$279-$478+ |
| Trust & Will |
Trust + will only |
✗ NONE |
$499-$599 |
Comprehensive Estate Plan California — Why You Need All 5 Documents
Document #1: Living Trust
Avoids probate when you die. Saves family $27,000-$68,000+ and 12-18 months.
- Primary residence goes in trust
- Bank accounts over $184,500
- Investment accounts
- Rental properties
Document #2: Pour-Over Will
Catches anything you forgot to put in trust. Also names guardians for minor children.
Document #3: Durable Power of Attorney
Financial decisions if you're incapacitated. Prevents conservatorship (saves $5,000-$10,000).
Document #4: Advance Healthcare Directive
Medical decisions + end-of-life wishes. Names who makes medical decisions, states your preferences.
Document #5: HIPAA Authorization
Allows family to access medical records. Without this, hospitals can't share information due to privacy laws.
🏆 Best Complete Estate Plan: Living Trust California
All 5 essential documents for $150:
- ✓ Revocable living trust (avoids $38K-$68K+ probate)
- ✓ Pour-over will (backup + guardians)
- ✓ Durable power of attorney (financial)
- ✓ Advance healthcare directive (medical)
- ✓ HIPAA authorization (medical records)
- ✓ Deed preparation (transfer home to trust)
- ✓ California attorney review INCLUDED
- ✓ Save $1,350-$2,850 vs traditional attorney
Get Complete Estate Plan — $150 →
Key Takeaways
- Complete estate plan = 5 documents (trust, will, 2 POAs, HIPAA)
- You need ALL 5 for complete protection (life, incapacity, death)
- Trust alone is not enough — need POAs for incapacity, will for guardians
- Cost: $150 for complete package with attorney review
- Save $1,350-$2,850 vs traditional attorney
- Takes 30 minutes online vs 2-4 weeks with traditional attorney