Caring Legal Support Grounded In Over 65 Years Of Experience

Estate Planning: Protect What Matters Most – Without Surprises

You have worked hard to build a life for your family. Estate planning is how you make sure that what you have built is protected, your wishes are carried out, and the people you love are spared from unnecessary court proceedings, delays, and conflict.

At the Law Office of Michael L. Seidman, we help California families put clear, practical estate plans in place – on a flat-fee basis, agreed to in advance, so you always know what things will cost and are never surprised by a legal bill.

We serve clients throughout the state of California, and most meetings can be handled by Google Meet or phone. You do not need to come into the office to work with us.

Call 661-520-5214 or schedule your Peace of Mind Planning Session below.

Who We Help

We work with families across California who want straightforward, practical plans. We most often help:

Married couples with minor children who do not yet have a will or trust in place
Divorced or single parents who want their plan to work alongside existing custody and support orders
Blended families and second marriages who want to provide for a new spouse while protecting children from prior relationships
Homeowners who want to reduce the likelihood of probate and keep matters private for their families
Anyone who has an older estate plan and needs to update it after a major life change

If any of these situations sound familiar, a conversation with our attorneys is a good place to start.

Why Estate Planning Matters in California

You do not need to be wealthy to need an estate plan. If you own a home, have minor children or simply want your wishes followed, a proper plan matters.

Without one, California’s intestacy laws determine who inherits your property and the outcome may not match what you would have chosen. Court proceedings can take months or longer, legal fees accumulate and your family’s private matters become a public court record.

A well-designed estate plan gives your family clear direction and legal authority to act on your behalf. It can help:

Reducing the likelihood of a full probate for assets held in trust
Keeping control in the hands of people you choose if you become incapacitated
Providing for a surviving spouse while still protecting children from prior relationships
Coordinating with divorce judgments, support orders and property agreements so your plan reflects your real-world obligations
Preserving family harmony through clear, documented inheritance planning

These are not hypothetical concerns. They are the situations our attorneys encounter regularly when families come to us after a life change or loss.

Wills, Trusts And Estate Planning Documents

Every estate plan is built around a core set of documents that work together to carry out your wishes and protect your family. The right combination depends on your assets, your family structure and your goals.

Our attorneys take the time to understand your specific situation before recommending anything. Whether your plan calls for a simple will, a fully funded living trust or something more involved, we walk you through the options in plain language and help you make decisions you feel confident about. The next section covers two additional documents that address what happens if you become unable to make decisions for yourself during your lifetime.

Planning For The Unexpected: Powers Of Attorney And Healthcare Directives

Estate planning is not only about what happens after you are gone. Two equally important documents address what happens if you become temporarily or permanently unable to make decisions for yourself.

Durable Power Of Attorney For Finances

Without this document, a period of incapacity can leave your financial affairs in limbo. A durable power of attorney names someone you trust to step in on your behalf, handling everything from routine bill payments and bank account management to tax filings and broader financial decisions until you are able to act for yourself again.

Advance Healthcare Directive

This document appoints a healthcare agent to make medical decisions on your behalf and records your treatment preferences and end-of-life wishes. Without it, a sudden illness or accident can leave your family legally unable to assist, even with routine matters.

Together, these documents can spare your loved ones from impossible choices during a crisis and help avoid the need for a court-appointed conservatorship.

Our Planning Process

We use a clear step-by-step process designed to be straightforward, low-stress and remote-friendly. Most steps can be handled by Google Meet or phone from anywhere in California.

Step 1: Free 15-Minute Introductory Call

An optional but recommended starting point. We discuss your situation in general terms, explain how our process works and confirm whether we appear to be a good fit. This is not a legal advice session. It is a brief conversation, so you can decide if you want to move forward. No charge and no obligation.

Step 2: Planning Session

A longer meeting where we learn about your family, your assets and your goals. We walk you through three different levels of estate planning in plain English and help you choose the approach that fits your situation. Your flat fee is agreed to at this stage before any drafting begins.

Step 3: Design Meeting With Your Attorney

After you choose your planning level, we hold a focused meeting to make specific decisions: who will be in charge if you cannot act, how and when your children receive assets, backup decision makers and any coordination with existing divorce judgments, custody orders or other agreements.

Step 4: Customized Estate Plan Review Video And Final Questions

You receive your draft documents electronically along with a customized review video that walks you through each component of your plan and the specific choices made. If you have questions or want changes, we address them and make revisions. Your flat fee covers this review process.

Step 5: Signing Ceremony

When you are ready to sign, we can host a signing appointment at our Bakersfield office. If you prefer, we can send your documents by FedEx with detailed signing instructions. After signing, we provide copies and guidance on next steps, including funding your trust and updating beneficiary designations.

Remote Service Throughout California

You do not need to be located near our Bakersfield office to work with us. We serve clients throughout the state of California.

Most steps in our process can be handled remotely:

Free 15-minute introductory calls by phone or Google Meet
Planning sessions and design meetings by Google Meet
Draft documents delivered electronically for your review
Signing coordinated in our office, through a notary near you, or by FedEx with clear instructions

If you prefer to meet in person, we are glad to accommodate that as well.

Flat-Fee Estate Planning: No Surprises

All estate planning work at our firm is handled on a flat-fee basis. You will know exactly what your plan will cost before we begin drafting anything. There are no hourly rates, no surprise invoices and no billing by email.

We discuss your fee at the planning session when you choose your planning level. In more complex matters, we explain any additional considerations before you decide how to proceed.

Our Estate Planning Attorneys

Attorney Michael L. Seidman has practiced law for over 45 years. His background gives him a practical, real-world perspective on how families actually work, how divorce and custody matters interact with estate plans, and how to design plans that hold up when life gets complicated.

Attorney David Seidman brings nearly 20 years of experience. Together, they assess the specifics of your situation and recommend the right combination of documents for your family.

Our family law background sets us apart in one important way: we understand how divorce judgments, custody orders, support obligations, and blended family dynamics affect estate plans – and we plan with those realities in mind rather than around them.

Common Questions About Estate Planning In California

Estate planning raises questions that are worth addressing before you get started. Here are honest answers to the ones we hear most often.

Do I need a trust, or is a will enough?

It depends on your assets, your goals, and how important it is to you to reduce or avoid the probate process. In California, many homeowners benefit from a properly funded living trust because it is designed to help keep assets out of probate. Your attorney will explain the options and help you decide what makes the most sense for your situation.

Can I do this if I am divorced or share custody of my children?

Yes. We regularly design estate plans around existing custody orders and support obligations, and we will help you structure your plan so that the right people are in a position to care for your children if you cannot. We design your plan to work alongside those obligations to the extent California law allows.

What does it cost?

All estate planning is flat-fee, confirmed at your planning session when you choose your planning level. You will know the full cost before we begin.

Can we really do this by Google Meet or phone?

Yes, for most clients. Planning meetings, design meetings, draft reviews, and Q&A can all be handled remotely. Signing can be coordinated in our office or with a notary near you, depending on what works best.

How long does the process take?

For most clients, the process from planning session to signed documents takes less than a month. More complex situations may take longer, and we will give you a realistic timeline at the outset.

What if I already have an estate plan?

We offer plan reviews and updates for clients whose documents are outdated or who have had a major life change – divorce, remarriage, birth of a child, move to California or significant change in assets.

Is an out-of-state will valid in California?

Generally, yes, if the will was validly executed under the laws of the state where it was signed. However, California has its own rules regarding probate and trust administration and an out-of-state will may not be structured in a way that works well under California law. If you have moved to California with an existing estate plan, a review is worth scheduling sooner rather than later.

How does divorce affect my existing estate plan?

In California, a final divorce judgment automatically revokes certain provisions in your will that benefit your former spouse, but it does not automatically update your trust, beneficiary designations or powers of attorney. After a divorce, your entire estate plan should be reviewed and likely revised to reflect your new circumstances. We handle these updates regularly and can help you make sure your plan reflects your actual intentions.

Ready to Protect What Matters Most? Talk To Us Today.

If you have been putting this off because it feels complicated or expensive, our process was built with you in mind. Everything is flat-fee, most of it can be done by phone or Google Meet, and your lawyer will explain every step in plain English along the way.