Estate Planning
California revocable living trusts, pour-over wills, durable powers of attorney, and advance health care directives — with transparent flat-fee pricing.
Plan for what comes next
A revocable living trust lets you transfer ownership of your assets into a trust during your lifetime, while retaining the right to amend or revoke it as long as you remain mentally competent. Paired with a pour-over will and durable powers of attorney, it gives you a comprehensive plan that protects your family and avoids probate.
Scharf Law, P.C. offers transparent flat-fee estate planning for individuals, married couples, and clients seeking to amend an existing trust. Active member of the California State Bar (Bar #244097), admitted 2006.
Transparent pricing
Three packages cover the most common estate planning needs. Additional services are quoted on a case-by-case basis.
Single Living
TRUST PACKAGE
- Revocable Living Trust
- Pour-Over Will
- Durable Power of Attorney
- Advance Health Care Directive
- General Transfer
- Two California Real Estate Transfers
- Notary Public
Married Living
TRUST PACKAGE
- Married Revocable Living Trust
- Two Pour-Over Wills
- Two Durable Powers of Attorney
- Two Advance Health Care Directives
- General Transfer
- Two California Real Estate Transfers
- Notary Public
Flat fees include the documents listed. Filing fees, recording fees, and additional real estate transfers beyond those listed are billed separately. Quote subject to written engagement letter.
Reasons to set up
a living trust
Avoid Probate
California probate is expensive and lengthy — fees are calculated as a percentage of the gross estate. A funded living trust keeps assets out of probate.
Maintain Privacy
Probate is a public process. A trust keeps the distribution of your assets private and out of the public record.
Plan for Incapacity
A trust paired with durable powers of attorney lets a chosen successor manage your affairs if you become incapacitated.
Protect Beneficiaries
You can structure a trust to shield beneficiaries from creditors, manage tax exposure, and direct distributions thoughtfully.
Manage a Business
Owners of a business or professional practice often benefit from a trust to ensure continuity in management and ownership.
Stay in Control
A revocable trust lets you continue to buy, sell, and trade assets normally during your lifetime — with the option to amend or revoke.
What is a revocable living trust?
A California revocable living trust is a legal document that holds ownership of your assets — property, investments, bank accounts — for the benefit of your chosen beneficiaries. The trust is managed by a trustee of your choice (often yourself during your lifetime), who follows the terms you set.
Funding the trust is the process of moving assets into it — typically by changing title from your name to the name of the trust. We recommend reviewing your trust assets annually and updating beneficiary designations on accounts held outside the trust.
A revocable living trust does not provide creditor protection on its own. Other types of trusts, however, can be structured to provide that protection. We’re happy to walk you through the options that fit your goals.
Folsom & the greater Sacramento region
Scharf Law, P.C. is based in Folsom and serves families throughout the greater Sacramento region.
Common questions about estate planning
Do I need a living trust or is a will enough in California?
A will alone does not avoid probate. In California, assets held in your own name above the small-estate threshold generally pass through probate court, which is public, takes months to over a year, and carries statutory fees. A funded revocable living trust lets a successor trustee distribute assets privately without court supervision, which is why most California homeowners use one.
What documents are in a basic California estate plan?
A revocable living trust, a pour-over will that moves any stray assets into the trust, a durable power of attorney for finances, an advance health care directive, and HIPAA authorizations. Married couples typically use a joint trust. Deeds transferring real property into the trust and beneficiary designations must be updated so the plan actually works.
What does estate planning cost at Scharf Law, P.C.?
Scharf Law, P.C. publishes flat fees for estate planning: $4,000 for a single living trust package and $5,000 for a married living trust package, and $2,000 for an amendment to an existing trust. Flat fees include the documents listed on this page; filing and recording fees and additional real estate transfers are billed separately, and every quote is confirmed in a written engagement letter.
What is a durable power of attorney?
A document that names someone to manage your finances if you become unable to, without a court conservatorship. “Durable” means it remains effective during incapacity. It can take effect immediately or only when a physician confirms incapacity, and it ends at death, when the trust and will take over.
How often should I update my estate plan?
Review it after any major life change: marriage or divorce, a birth or death in the family, buying or selling real estate, a significant change in assets, or a move to another state, and at least every three to five years. Beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and life insurance override the trust, so they should be reviewed at the same time.
Does Scharf Law, P.C. handle probate?
The firm handles estate planning and probate guardianships and conservatorships, but does not administer the probate of a deceased person’s estate. If a loved one has died without a trust, we can point you toward appropriate resources.
General information about California law, reviewed by attorney Taryn M. Scharf (CA State Bar #244097), Scharf Law, P.C., Folsom, CA. It is not legal advice for any specific situation. Ask about your case or call (916) 782-3900.
Ready to start your estate plan?
Schedule a consultation to walk through which package fits your situation and what to expect from the process.
Request a Consultation (916) 782-3900
Scharf Law, P.C. — 2330 E Bidwell St, Suite 110, Folsom, CA 95630-3897
— (916) 782-3900
Taryn M. Scharf, Esq. — CA State Bar #244097
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