Place important decisions in trusted hands.
A financial power of attorney and an advance health care directive give trusted people a defined role if you are unable to act for yourself. Carefully prepared documents can make it easier for your family to respond, honor your preferences, and reduce the need for court intervention.
Decisions made by people you chose
A durable financial power of attorney lets someone you trust pay bills, manage accounts and handle property for you. An advance health care directive names who makes medical decisions for you and records your wishes about care.
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Without these documents, your family may need to ask a court to appoint a conservator, a public process that takes time. Well-prepared documents can reduce that need, although they cannot rule out every court proceeding.
Every adult, at every age
- Every adult, including college-age children who are now legally adults
- Retirees planning for possible incapacity
- Anyone with a living trust (these documents are part of a complete plan)
- People caring for a spouse or parent
Three documents that work together
- Durable financial power of attorney
- Advance health care directive
- HIPAA authorization
- Every adult, including college-age children
- Retirees planning for incapacity
How we work together
- Step 1: Gather your information
- Step 2: Design consultation
- Step 3: Review your documents
- Step 4: Sign & fund your plan
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- 1. Gather your information. Our team sends a simple questionnaire and organizes your family, property and account details before we meet.
- 2. Design consultation. We meet, usually by Zoom, to design your plan: who receives what, who is in charge and how to protect your children.
- 3. Review your documents. Your completed plan is prepared from our design meeting and sent to you to review before signing.
- 4. Sign & fund your plan. We guide you through signing with the witnesses and/or notary appropriate to each document, then explain how to place the right assets in your trust. For clients who prefer the convenience of our assistance, California deed preparation and recording services are available for a separate fee.
A member of our staff will call you to learn about your needs, explain our fees, and schedule your appointment. See the full process on the What to expect page.
“My parent-in-laws are Cantonese speaking only… Cynthia and her team explained the process to my parent-in-laws in Cantonese and helped me and their mostly English speaking son in English… I recommend Cynthia Lee for anyone who has parents who don't speak English as she has the cultural competency and patience to work with families of bilingual households.”
Testimonials describe individual experiences. Results depend on the facts and law applicable to each matter and will differ when those facts differ.
My child just turned 18. Do they need these documents?
Often, yes. Once a child is an adult, parents generally cannot access medical information or manage accounts for them without these documents.
Is a power of attorney the same as a trust?
No. A power of attorney covers assets outside your trust and everyday financial matters. Your successor trustee manages what is inside the trust. Most plans include both.
When do these documents take effect?
That depends on how they are written. We decide together whether your agent can act right away or only if you are unable to.
Your employer’s legal plan may provide benefits toward estate planning services. We can help identify the services to review with your plan provider; coverage and any client responsibility depend on your benefits and the work involved.
- MetLife Legal Plans
- ARAG
- LegalEase
- Exemplar Legal
Make sure the right people can act for you.
Meetings are by appointment, weekdays 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM, by Zoom or at our offices. Call 888.380.2288 or 415.693.8882, or request a time online. Consultations in English, Cantonese or Mandarin.