Our Focus

Estate planning

Be smart with your estate, protect what is yours for your family. Chris Cook will personally work with you to create a plan that will protect what you have created and properly pass on your legacy to your loved ones.

Wills & Trusts

Wills and trusts are two of the most important building blocks of an effective estate plan. Your last will and testament or revocable living trust outline your wishes upon your death. It provides guidelines for your loved ones as to how you want your assets, property, and debts addressed when you are gone.

Trust administration is important to hold assets for beneficiaries. There are several different types of trusts that allow you to specify how and when you want the contents to be passed onto the named beneficiaries. Unlike wills, trusts are not subject to the probate process or part of the public record, they can reduce administration fees, shelter assets from MediCal recovery, and provide for long-term asset management so that your beneficiaries do not inherit until they reach an age when they can responsibly manage their share of the assets.

Advance Healthcare Directive

The Advance Healthcare Directive has no financial consequences but instead concerns the type and extent of medical service rendered should you become physically or mentally unable to make health care decisions. The Advance Healthcare Directive appoints an agent (and a backup agent) who has the authority to carry out your health care wishes when there is a determination that you lack mental capacity to make your own decisions. A lack of capacity is determined by the patient’s primary physician and by the agent.

The Advance Healthcare Directive also contains an authorization that your agent may obtain certain health information about you that would otherwise be barred by HIPPA regulations.

Durable Power of Attorney

A durable power of attorney becomes effective upon the mental or physical incapacity of the grantor. It gives the agent the ability to deal with non trust assets on behalf of the incapacitated person. It may also allow the agent to file tax returns, pay medical bills, and sue on the grantor’s behalf.