Planning your estate is planning your future. As an experienced Canoga Park Probate Law Attorney, I am prepared to assist you and your family with everything from estate planning to estate administration and probate. I am available to listen to your estate needs and provide you with guidance on how to meet them.

With new laws being passed on a regular basis, the guidance of an experienced Canoga Park Probate Law Attorney is critical in ensuring efficient probate administration and, if necessary, effective litigation. Proper administration ensures that a family member's legacy is not wasted, and that loved ones are cared for according to his or her wishes. Avoiding probate costs, expensive court proceedings and unnecessary taxes are important elements in preserving the integrity of an estate.

As a skilled Canoga Park Probate Law Attorney, I provide solid legal representation in the following practice areas:

• Probate
• Estate Administration
• Distribution of Assets
• Estate Planning
• Wills
• Trusts
• Living Wills
• Durable Power of Attorney
• Advance Healthcare Directives
• Estate Tax Planning
• Will Contest Litigation
• Estate Tax Returns
• Estate Litigation
• Guardianships
• Conservatorships
• Private Annuities and Charitable Trusts

In the fields of estate planning, probate administration and estate litigation, there is a wide range of tools that an experienced attorney can use to ensure that legacies are properly preserved and distributed, including:

• Probate/Estate Administration services provide steady legal guidance after a family member has passed away. I handle probate and administration proceedings, estate taxes and estate accountings. When probate is contested, I can handle the resulting litigation as well. I will make sure that your rights are represented in probate court to the maximum extent.
• Wills, sometimes called a Last Will and Testament, to transfer property you hold in your name to the person(s) and/or organization(s) you want to receive it. A Will also typically names someone you select to be your Personal Representative (Executor) to carry out your instructions and names a Guardian if you have minor children. A Will only becomes effective upon your death, and after it is admitted to probate.
• Durable Powers of Attorney for Health Care or Health Care Proxy appoints a person you designate to make decisions regarding your health care treatment in the event that you are unable to provide informed consent. 
• Living Will or Directive to Physicians is an advance directive which gives doctors and hospitals your instructions regarding the nature and extent of the care you want should you suffer permanent incapacity, such as an irreversible coma. 
• Durable Powers of Attorney for Property appoints a person you designate to act for you and handle financial matters should you be unable or perhaps unavailable to do so. 
• Living Trust can be used to hold legal title to and provide a mechanism to manage your property. You can select a person or persons – often even yourself – as the Trustee(s) to carry out the instructions in the Trust and name one or more Successor Trustees. Unlike a Will, a Trust usually becomes effective immediately, continues in force during your lifetime even in the event of your incapacity, and continues after your death. Most Trusts are revocable which allows the person who creates the Trust to make future changes, modifications and even to terminate it.  
  
• Family Limited Partnership can be used to own and manage your property, in a similar manner to a Trust, but allowing additional tax planning techniques to be employed. Family Limited Partnerships are typically used for those who have large estates and thus have a need for specialized estate planning in order to minimize taxes as well as provide asset protection.

My experience with the law is multifaceted. I have served as an author, lecturer, and Settlement Officer for the Los Angeles Probate Court. I have spent time as a judge pro-tem, which is  temporary judge. These experiences have provided me with a complete view of all sides of the law -- something few are able to see. The knowledge I have gained from these experiences is the same knowledge that I will put to work for you.

The path to success is different for each case. With over 40 years of practice in estate planning and probate, I have the knowledge and experience to set you on that path.  When I take your case, you can rest assured that I will take your case for the duration. It will not be passed along to a paralegal or filed away.

If you or someone you know in the Los Angeles area or throughout Southern California needs the assistance of an experienced Canoga Park Probate Law Attorney, call Edwin Niles today at 866-615-3237, or complete the contact form provided on this site to schedule your initial consultation.