Estate Planning Attorney San Francisco, CA
Catherine Yee, Attorney At Law, has provided estate planning attorney services to San Francisco, CA, families since 1991. If you own property in the Financial District, Sunset, Richmond, or anywhere in the Bay Area, a sound estate plan can protect your assets, spare your loved ones from probate, and keep your wishes legally enforceable. Call today at (415) 982-7312 to schedule your consultation with Catherine Yee, Attorney At Law.
What Documents Are Included in a California Estate Plan?
A complete California estate plan typically includes four core documents that work together to protect you during life and after. Each document serves a distinct, essential purpose.
- Revocable Living Trust: Holds and transfers your assets to named beneficiaries without probate court involvement, which can save your family significant time and cost.
- Will (Pour-Over Will): Captures any assets not yet titled in your trust and directs them into it at your passing.
- Durable Power of Attorney: Authorizes a trusted person to manage your financial affairs if you become incapacitated.
- Advance Health Care Directive (AHCD): Documents your medical treatment preferences and names a healthcare agent to make decisions on your behalf.
Ms. Yee can help you determine which combination of documents fits your household, asset profile, and family goals.
Why Do San Francisco Homeowners Need an Updated Estate Plan?
California's Proposition 19 requires your child to use an inherited home as a primary residence within one year to avoid full property tax reassessment. Investment and vacation properties no longer qualify at all. In San Francisco, where property values are among the highest in the state, reassessment can add tens of thousands of dollars a year to your heirs' taxes. California is also a community property state, so assets acquired during marriage must be titled and addressed carefully in your planning documents. An updated estate plan helps your family navigate these rules before a transfer occurs.
Who Should Consider Estate Planning?
Estate planning isn't only for the wealthy. It can benefit homeowners, parents of minor children, business owners, retirement account holders, and anyone wanting to avoid costly probate.
San Francisco Trust Attorney Services
Catherine Yee, Attorney at Law, has served San Francisco families as a trusted trust attorney since 1991, helping clients across the Financial District, Pacific Heights, the Sunset, and surrounding Bay Area neighborhoods structure trusts that protect assets, avoid unnecessary delays, and reflect their personal wishes.
Revocable Living Trusts
A revocable living trust is the foundation of most California estate plans. It can be amended or revoked at any time during your lifetime, giving you full control while the trust is active. Assets held in a properly funded revocable living trust pass directly to your beneficiaries after your death, without court involvement.
Irrevocable Trusts
An irrevocable trust generally cannot be modified after it is signed, but that limitation comes with potential advantages around asset protection and estate tax planning. Clients with larger estates or specific asset protection goals may find irrevocable trust structures worth exploring with a qualified attorney.
Why a California Living Trust May Help You Avoid Probate
California probate can be time-consuming for families already navigating a difficult time. Estates above $208,850 typically require formal probate, which can take 12 to 18 months. A properly funded revocable living trust can keep virtually any estate out of probate, regardless of size. San Francisco home values frequently exceed that threshold many times over, making trust planning particularly relevant here. A living trust sidesteps probate for all assets titled in the trust's name, including real estate, bank accounts, and investments, while ensuring privacy, minimizing legal fees, and providing more control over asset distribution.
Special Needs Trusts
Families supporting a loved one with a disability may need a special needs trust to preserve access to government benefits. California special needs trusts protect people with disabilities from losing Medi-Cal and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) when they receive an inheritance, settlement, or financial gift. California eliminated the non-MAGI Medi-Cal asset limit on January 1, 2024, then reinstated it at $130,000 per individual effective January 1, 2026. Families who saved during the no-limit window or who have not yet reviewed their planning may want to consult a trust attorney now to confirm their loved one's benefits remain protected.
- For guidance on what happens after a trust is created, visit the trust administration legal representation page.
Trust Attorney FAQs
What Is the Difference Between a Revocable and an Irrevocable Trust?
A revocable trust can be changed during your lifetime; an irrevocable trust generally cannot. Revocable trusts suit probate avoidance, while irrevocable trusts may offer asset protection or tax planning benefits.
Does a Living Trust Really Help California Residents Avoid Probate?
Yes. Assets properly titled in a funded living trust pass to beneficiaries without court involvement. A will alone does not avoid California probate; only funded trusts or valid beneficiary designations do.
Do I Still Need a Special Needs Trust in California After the 2026 Medi-Cal Changes?
Yes. The reinstated $130,000 asset limit makes special needs trust planning more critical. A drafting or funding misstep can cost a beneficiary their entire Medi-Cal or SSI benefits package.
How Catherine Yee Approaches Your Estate Plan
A straightforward process makes it easier to move from uncertainty to confidence.
- Initial Consultation: Catherine listens to your situation, identifies your goals, and explains your options in plain language.
- Strategy Development: She recommends a document package tailored to your assets, family structure, and California-specific considerations.
- Document Drafting: Your trust, will, power of attorney, and AHCD are prepared with precision and reviewed together with you.
- Signing and Funding: Documents are executed properly, and she guides you through funding your trust so assets are correctly titled.
- Ongoing Review: Life changes. Catherine can review and update your plan when your circumstances shift.
Why Clients Choose Catherine Yee as Their Estate Planning Attorney
Ms. Yee has practiced estate planning services in San Francisco since 1991. She is a member of the California State Bar and the Bar Association of San Francisco. She communicates complex legal concepts clearly, and she is fluent in Cantonese, Mandarin, and Toishanese, making her a trusted choice for multilingual Bay Area families. Learn more about her background on the San Francisco law firm profile page.
Related services include probate, trust administration, and estate tax planning.
Take the First Step Today
Your estate plan may be one of the most important legal decisions you make for your family. Call Catherine Yee, Attorney At Law, at (415) 982-7312 to schedule a consultation with a trusted estate planning attorney and begin building a plan designed for your life in San Francisco, CA.
