Estate planning isn’t just about what happens after life—it’s about quality of life, right now. If you’re a senior or the adult child of one, estate planning is one of the most important steps you can take to secure peace of mind, reduce future stress, and protect the people and assets you care about most.
This isn’t just about finances. It’s about dignity, choice, clarity, and control.
Whether you’re just starting the conversation or ready to put legal documents in place, this page will guide you through the essentials—what you need, why it matters, and how to find the right support.
Why Estate Planning Matters (Even If You’re Not “Rich”)
Estate planning isn’t only for the wealthy or those with complicated investments. If you or your parent owns a home, has a retirement account, a car, or even a cherished pet—you need a plan. Without it, families are often left sorting out legal messes at the worst possible time.
Here’s what proper estate planning can help you avoid:
- Long, expensive court processes like probate
- Disputes between family members
- Medical decisions being made by strangers or the state
- Losing Medi-Cal eligibility due to poor asset structuring
- Your home being sold or reassigned without your consent
The truth is, estate planning is one of the most loving things you can do for your family.
The Core Components of a Senior Estate Plan
A solid estate plan typically includes the following:
✅ Revocable Living Trust
Avoids probate and keeps your affairs private. Ensures your assets go exactly where you want—without unnecessary delays or fees.
✅ Will
Names guardians (if needed), final wishes, and can serve as a backup to your trust.
✅ Advance Health Care Directive
Spells out your medical preferences if you become unable to speak for yourself—what treatments you want (or don’t), and who should make decisions on your behalf.
✅ Durable Power of Attorney
Allows someone you trust to manage financial and legal affairs if you become incapacitated.
✅ HIPAA Authorization
Gives your family or agents access to your medical records when they need them most.
✅ Final Arrangement Instructions
Optional—but incredibly helpful for loved ones. These outline your wishes for cremation, burial, memorials, etc.
What About the Family Home?
For many seniors, the home is the biggest asset—and it’s often tangled in emotion and complexity. A trust can help transfer it smoothly to heirs, avoid capital gains surprises, and, when structured right, even protect Medi-Cal eligibility. And if you’re considering selling the home to fund care or downsize, estate planning becomes even more essential.
Estate Planning Is Also About Living Well
Beyond what happens “after,” estate planning is also about improving life right now. It ensures that:
- Your bills get paid even if you’re hospitalized
- You don’t end up in a facility you’d never choose
- Your family has clear instructions and less to fight about
- You maintain control over how your life—and legacy—unfold
And it helps answer some of life’s most important questions:
- Who will speak for me if I can’t?
- What will happen to my spouse or pets if I pass first?
- How can I leave something meaningful for my grandchildren?
- What can I do now to reduce stress for my kids later?
The Cost of Doing Nothing
We’ve all heard horror stories. Families torn apart. Courts freezing assets. Months—or years—of red tape. Unfortunately, it happens every day, especially when someone dies without a will or trust.
In California, dying without a trust means your estate likely goes through probate, even if you have a will. That can eat up tens of thousands of dollars, take over a year, and put everything on the public record.
Compare that to the cost of setting up a basic estate plan with a qualified professional: it’s usually a one-time investment between $1,500 and $3,500—depending on complexity. And it can save your family ten times that in money and stress.
How I Can Help
I’m not an estate attorney—but I work closely with some of the best in the Bay Area. As a Certified Senior Advocate and experienced Realtor®, I often help families prepare for the next chapter—including what happens to the family home, when to downsize, how to handle equity transfers, and how real estate fits into the estate planning puzzle.
If you’re not sure where to start, I can point you in the right direction, connect you with vetted legal and financial professionals, and help you ask the right questions.
Estate planning is personal. But you don’t have to figure it out alone.
Take the First Step
Whether you’re a senior looking to protect your legacy, or an adult child helping your parents prepare—this is your moment.
Let’s talk. I offer a no-obligation consultation where we can walk through your situation and determine next steps. It might be the most important conversation you have this year.