Thorough Trusts and Estates Attorneys in Pasadena, CA

Helping you protect your family, assets and business partners

With 39 years of experience, Alkana Law possesses in-depth knowledge about all aspects of trusts and estate issues, including:

  • Estate planning
  • Estate tax issues
  • Executorship duties
  • Guardianship
  • Living wills
  • Living trusts
  • Probate
  • Probate and will disputes
  • Wills drafting and execution
  • Probate and Trust Litigation

Estate planning

Alkana Law can advise you on the best approach to your estate planning. We thoroughly analyze your estate and strategize the best means of transferring your assets, minimizing taxes, establishing guardianship for your children, supporting personal philanthropic causes and protecting your loved ones. We can draft a will that reflects your desires and establish living trusts if they would be beneficial to your estate.

Drafting your last will and testament

A will is essential at every stage of your life, providing you with the opportunity to distribute your property, establish care for your children and otherwise express your wishes for what will happen upon your death. A will is necessary if you intend to leave property to someone who is not your blood relative, e.g., a domestic partner, a friend or a charity. If you die without a will, the court determines how your property is distributed, who cares for your children and even what happens to your beloved pet — and the decisions the court makes might not reflect your desires.

Alkana Law has 47 years of experience and can assist by drafting a valid will to ensure your intentions are honored.

Changing your will

As your life evolves, so may your estate plan. You may need to update your will throughout your life. Alkana Law drafts valid codicils that address changes in your financial situation, marital status, parenthood status, philanthropic interests and general lifestyle decisions.

Appointing a guardian

Your will allows you to make decisions about the future care of your minor children. This is especially crucial if you are a single parent or in the event that both parents die in a common incident. If you have not named a guardian for your children, the court appoints one, who may make parental decisions contrary to what you would have wanted. In your will, you can also make arrangements for the care of your pets, naming a guardian to take responsibility for them.

Creating an optimal estate plan

Drafting an effective will requires more than filling in a form. If a court determines that your will is invalid, your desires will not be honored upon your death. Alkana Law meticulously drafts your will and considers all aspects of your estate plan. We review your family arrangements, financial situation and philosophical goals to guide you in making the best estate planning decisions, and we draft your will accordingly.

Probate

We apply our extensive knowledge about California probate court to guide you through the complex process of probating a will. We assist executors in all steps of the process, including:

  • Creating a plan of action to probate the estate fairly and expeditiously
  • Filing the will with the probate court in California
  • Closing and opening bank accounts
  • Transferring assets from the deceased to the estate
  • Valuating the estate
  • Managing and liquidating assets as appropriate
  • Paying taxes and other debts
  • Locating beneficiaries
  • Hiring professionals and experts when necessary

Probate disputes

When disputes occur between beneficiaries, we help to successfully represent your interests. Alkana Law has the extensive knowledge to challenge invalid wills or to defend valid wills against the improper assertions of dissatisfied beneficiaries. We are skilled in mediation and litigation, and we can negotiate between beneficiaries to preserve relationships or fastidiously pursue your rights in court when necessary.

Contact a meticulous estate planning and probate lawyer in Pasadena, CA

For assistance with your estate planning and probate needs, call Alkana Law at (626) 796-8170 or contact us online to schedule a free phone consultation. We welcome Mandarin- and Cantonese-speaking clients.