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My 7-Step Estate Planning
Process Will Protect
Your Heirs
From Creditors, Predators & Bad Choices,
And Will Help You Become a (Bigger) Hero to Your Family!
Eric did an excellent job creating our Living Trust. His work was very detailed and thorough, and at a very reasonable cost.
Very impressed with Eric, and glad he could help us out with our decision-making regarding Trusts at the time…
I had a complex estate plan I needed done. I spoke with several attorneys before finding Mr. Ridley and I’m so glad…
Law Office of Eric Ridley
Estate Planning in
Ventura, Santa Barbara &
Los Angeles Counties
Preparation is key when it comes to ensuring the well-being of your loved ones. When you take the time to plan ahead, you are giving yourself and your family peace of mind.
There are a number of things you can do to get started with estate planning, including the following:
- Talk to Me. As an attorney who limits his practice to estate planning, I will be happy to help you create a personalized plan that fits your family’s needs. I understand that this can be a confusing and overwhelming process, but as your guide, I will do my best to make it as straightforward and stress-free as possible.
- Make a will. This is a very important document when it comes to estate planning. It lays out what your wishes are for your property after you die.
- Create a living trust. This allows you to designate someone to oversee your assets after you die and can help avoid probate court.
- Protect your children. If you don’t come home one day, Make sure your children are raised by the person YOU choose, and that your assets are preserved for them.
Estate planning is one of the most important things you can do to show your family just how much they mean to you. I’m here for you every step of the way in that journey – from answering questions about wills, trusts and advance directives, so there’s no confusion; all the way through creating an estate plan tailored around your particular goals with empathy and understanding at its core. When it comes down to protecting those closest to us nothing else matters more… That’s why I am dedicated to on helping my clients understand this process while allowing them peace of mind knowing their wishes will be respected once a perfect plan has been created together!
Estate Planning | Probate | Asset Protection
Wills & Trusts
- Keep Your Assets Away From The Government
- Protect Your Family
- Protect Your Heirs from creditors, predators, the government, & from themselves
- Pass your values on to your heirs, in addition to your assets.
Claim Your Free, Friendly Estate Planning Strategy Session.
- Interpret The Will
- File All Necessary Probate Paperwork
- Distribute Assets
- Pay Debts & Taxes
- Work With All the Heirs to Help with the Confusing Probate Process
Schedule Your Free, Friendly Probate Strategy Session.
Protection
- Divorce
- Blended Families
- Creditors
- Predators
- Bad Choices
- Substance Abuse
Want Your Free, Friendly Asset Preservation Consultation?
Helping you become a (bigger) Hero To Your Family.
What is Estate Planning?
Death is a part of life, but you don’t have to let it take away all that matters.
Estate planning helps protect your possessions and honor the legacy you wish to pass on after leaving this world.
It doesn’t matter how large or modest our estates may be – make sure those assets are distributed according to YOUR wishes!
Not only does estate planning help shield against burdensome taxes for heirs; it eliminates probate court struggles so your inheritance goes directly into their hands faster when they need it most.
My Three-Step System
or Video
Consultation
The most important part of getting started, is that I learn what's important to you; what your family is like, what your goals and objectives are, and what questions you have. During our Peace of Mind planning session, I also want to demystify things for you, to explain and clarify the estate planning process for you. I will take the jargon and legal-ese out of the process.
Legal Review
I’ll address your concerns and explain what will and won’t happen as your matter (whether estate plan, bankruptcy, credit card lawsuit, will & trust, or something else) proceeds.
I will do this patiently and respectfully.
No rush, no pressure.
Off of You
Each legal plan I design reflects your individual needs and goals.
Whether it's estate planning, probate, or something else, each case, each client, and each plan, is unique.
My goal to earn your trust and respect once you decide to entrust me with your matter.
After we talk, I will present your options. You can tell me "yes," or "no." And my promise to you is this: "No" is a perfectly acceptable answer.
I want you to have accurate, unbiased advice, and then to be able to make an informed decision.
How Can an Estate Planning Lawyer Help Me?
I have helped countless clients create estate plans that protect their assets and ensure that their wishes are carried out accordingly. If you are ready to take the first step in protecting your estate, contact me today.
- Identify all of your assets and how they should be distributed
- Determine who will receive your assets and when they will receive them
- Minimize estate taxes and capital gains taxes
- Make sure your children are cared for if you don’t come home one day.
- Create a plan that can be amended as your life changes
I have helped countless clients create extensive estate plans that protect their assets and ensure that their wishes are carried out accordingly. If you are ready to take the first step in protecting your estate, contact me today.
“Eric is a true professional. He is extremely thorough, knowledgeable, and patient, always with a pleasant uplifting tone to his voice.”
Helping you become a (bigger) Hero To Your Family.
How Does Probate Work In California?
The death of a loved one can be very upsetting. However, you are going to have responsibilities even while dealing with your grief. You should handle the affairs of the deceased person’s property and assets. This can be a difficult task that will require a lot of time and effort. Probating a will is the official procedure by which a will is acknowledged and the executors appointed to administer the deceased’s property.
In California, probate is both expensive and lengthy; basic steps exist for the probating of wills in California, which is somewhat similar to every other jurisdiction. Though these steps may seem straightforward, they can be complicated if there are disagreements among the parties involved.
A probated will must be filed with the proper authorities in order to be officially recognized. The will itself must be submitted to the courts. The executors of the will must then locate and list all known assets and values. Creditors must be informed by letter or published notices in the local newspapers. The executors pay all debts, close the decedent’s account, and pay any outstanding tax liabilities. A request is made for the probated will to be closed. Once the will is approved, the executors distribute the remaining assets to the heirs.
5-Star Client Feedback
HONESTY & INTEGRITY
Mr. Eric Ridley did my estate planning, will, trust, DPOA, Advanced Healthcare Directive and end of life planning paperwork. This has(…)
Kind, Knowledgeable, & Professional
Eric helped me out immensely with a legal problem and was very kind, extremely professional and knew everything possible to(…)
Favorite Lawyer of All Time
Eric Ridley has to be my favorite Lawyer of all time. He helped me out tremendously being the executor of a family trust.(…)
Six Stars
I was in a bad way, as I was in the middle of a mortgage refi only to discover my house had a lien on it and didn’t know why. I had a lender that was…(…)
I will highly recommend Eric
Eric did an excellent job creating our Living Trust. His work was very detailed and thorough, and at a very reasonable cost. I(…)
Amazing Results & Personalized Service
Oh my gosh, you are amazing!! I sincerely believe it is due to your skills that it came out this good. Thank you(…)
I can’t say enough good things about Eric! He recently assisted me with a Family Trust matter and from the very start(…)
Eric’s a lifesaver! He made time to take several calls on short notice, helped me understand my issue, and gave me the(…)
Mr. Ridley is just fantastic. He is knowledgable, attentive, honest and was very patient with my many many questions about(…)
Why Should I Hire an Estate Planning Lawyer?
There are a lot of reasons why you might want to consider using a lawyer instead of an online will or trust service. Here are just a few:
- You’ll get peace of mind knowing that your will or trust is legally binding, properly created, and properly implemented. Wills and trusts created through online services are often not appropriate for your specific needs, which can create huge problems down the road.
- A skilled estate planning lawyer can help you navigate the complex world of estate planning. There are a lot of moving parts, and it can be tough to know what you need to do to protect your assets and your loved ones. Online services are ‘one-size-fits-all.’ You are NOT. Your family is unique. Your finances are unique. Your values, your wishes are unique.
- A lawyer can help you plan for the future in a way that an online service simply can’t. I can take into account your unique circumstances and come up with a plan that’s best for your family and for your wishes.
I Will help guide You to Financial freedom
I choose to practice the areas of law that I do (Estate Planning, Wills, Trusts, Probate, & Bankruptcy/Debt Freedom)
so that I can help good people get back to focusing on what’s truly important:
Your family, your loved ones, your health, and your work.
Legal matters are stressful, but that doesn’t mean I can’t shoulder that burden for you. My job is to take on your stress so that you can live a life with more freedom, security, and happiness.
I keep my schedule flexible so that I’m available when you need me, especially for your free consultation.
I will be on time for our scheduled calls.
We will schedule calls and online meetings after work or whenever makes the most sense for you. And whenever I can’t come to the phone, I will return your call, text, or email within 48 hours
At my law firm, we believe in transparency and honesty. We understand that our clients are going through difficult and often stressful situations, and we want to make sure they have all the information they need to make informed decisions. We will always be open and straightforward with our clients, providing them with clear and accurate information about their case. We believe that this approach is the best way to build trust and ensure that our clients feel supported and empowered throughout the legal process.
We can accomplish everything through phone, zoom, texts, and emails.Working remotely allows me to serve clients who may not be able to come into my office in person. I am in Port Hueneme, which is an awesome beach city near Ventura. But my clients are all the way up to Santa Barbara, Lompoc, Santa Maria, and as far south as Tehachapi and the San Fernando Valley.
By offering remote services, I am able to make legal assistance more accessible to a wider range of people.
I understand that the estate planning process can be confusing and overwhelming. That’s why I take the time to thoroughly explain each step of the process to you, and I work closely with you to create a personalized plan. I am available to answer any questions or concerns you may have, and I make sure to provide clear, no-jargon guidance every step of the way. By providing exceptional service and personalized attention, I strive to make the estate planning process as easy and worry-free as possible for you.
At my law firm, we are committed to fighting tirelessly for our clients. We understand that the legal system can be complex and intimidating, but we will never back down from a challenge.
We will be tenacious in advocating for our clients, using all the tools at our disposal to help them achieve the best possible outcome. We will always stand up for our clients and fight for their rights.
Everything you and I do together will be 100% confidential. I will zealously protect your privacy.
Helping you become a (bigger) Hero To Your Family.
FAQs
What are some common estate planning documents?
We may advise that you use any of a variety of estate planning documents, depending on your needs. Some common documents include wills, trusts, financial powers of attorney, health care powers of attorney, living wills, and many more. It is critical to work with an experienced estate planning attorney to design a plan that meets your specific needs, circumstances, and desires. Wills are the most common type of estate planning document. They allow you to specify how you want your assets to be distributed after you die. Trusts are another common type of estate planning document. They can be used to protect your assets and provide for your family after you die. Living trusts can also be used to pass more money on to your loved ones, to protect children, and for many other purposes.
There are several benefits to using a trust instead of just a will.
First, trusts can be used to manage and distribute assets more efficiently than a will. This is because a trust can be set up to take effect as soon as it is created, whereas a will only takes effect after the person who created it dies.
This can be particularly useful if the person who created the trust becomes incapacitated and is unable to manage their own affairs.
Additionally, trusts can be used to avoid the probate process, which can be time-consuming and costly.
Probate is the legal process of settling a person’s estate after they die, and it can be avoided if the assets are held in a trust.
Finally, trusts can provide more privacy than a will, as trusts are not made public in the same way that wills are. This can be beneficial for people who want to keep their financial affairs private.
What is a Trust?
A trust is a legal document that allows you to appoint someone to manage your assets and distribute them according to your wishes after you die. There are a variety of trusts, including revocable trusts, irrevocable trusts, and living trusts. A revocable trust can be revoked or changed at any time, while an irrevocable trust cannot be changed once it is created. A living trust is created while you are still alive and becomes effective upon your death. Trusts can be used to protect your assets and provide for your family after you die. It is important to work with an experienced lawyer to create a trust that meets your specific needs.
What are the benefits of using a trust?
There are a number of benefits to using a trust, including the following:
Protection of Assets: A well-drafted trust can help protect your assets from creditors and lawsuits. This is especially important if you have children or other loved ones who may be vulnerable to lawsuits or creditor claims.
Tax Savings: Trusts can offer significant tax savings opportunities, especially if they are set up correctly. For example, a properly structured taxable trust can save on estate taxes when the owner dies.
Privacy: Trusts can offer greater privacy than other types of estate planning documents. For example, a trust does not have to be filed with the court like a will. This means that your affairs will not become a public record.
What happens if I die without a Will?
No one likes to think about their own mortality, but planning for your estate can help bring peace of mind to you and those left behind.
Probate is the legal process which ensures your wishes are followed after death – however, it’s often slow-moving and expensive.
To avoid this hassle (and expense) many people choose to plan in advance through trusts or living wills that facilitate a smoother transition while ensuring beneficiaries get what was intended.
By making these arrangements now there will be less stress later on everyone involved.
What is Probate?
Probate is the legal (and slow, and expensive) process of settling a person’s estate after death. This includes identifying and inventorying all assets, paying any debts and taxes, and distributing what’s left to the beneficiaries named in the will. If there is no will, state law determines who gets what.
The probate process can be lengthy, frustrating, and expensive, so many people choose to plan for their estate in advance. There are a number of ways to do this, including creating a trust or setting up a living trust. These arrangements can help minimize the hassle and expense of probate and make sure your beneficiaries receive what you want them to have.
How do I set up a trust?
You will need to consult with an attorney or financial advisor to create a trust. The trustee will need to be named, and the terms of the trust should be spelled out in detail. Once the trust is created, assets can be transferred into it. It is important to keep in mind that once assets are transferred into a trust, they can no longer be accessed by the grantor. This is why it is important to consult with an attorney early to make sure a trust is the best option for you.
Is Eric Ridley the right estate planning lawyer for me?
When it comes to estate planning, I want to think I’m the perfect estate planning lawyer for your family. With over a decade of experience helping families like yours, I know what it takes to craft an estate plan that works for you and your loved ones. I’ll take the time to get to know you and understand your needs so I can create a plan that works for you. I’ll be with you every step of the way to make sure your estate plan is up-to-date and tailored to meet the needs of your family.
Contact me today to get started on crafting an estate plan that meets all of your needs.
By Appointment Only
(805) 244-5291
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