The Four Keys To California Estate Planning

Almost any adult who has a full-time job, owns a home and is married will benefit from a will. If you have children, you definitely need a will to formally document whom you would like to have custody of your children should the unthinkable happen.

Other tools allow you to clearly indicate what you want to happen if you become incapacitated, how you want your assets to be divided and who you want to take control of your finances in the event you cannot. Attorney Rod Hatley takes a holistic approach to estate planning. He can guide you through the process and talk about which tools provide the best solutions to you and your family given your situation and goals. Whether you need to create an estate plan or update your existing plan, Hatley Law Group APC has the knowledge and experience to confidently guide you toward your goals.

The Most Useful Tools In Planning

There are many, many tools available to you when planning your future. The four most common documents are wills, trusts, powers of attorney and health care directives. Here is a brief overview of what these documents do:

A will is a document that tells your family who is to inherit what. Your last will and testament can also contain a power of attorney (POA). You can designate who you want to raise your children and how in a will. If you do not have this information in a will, then the state will decide who raises your children.
A POA is a designated person whom you want to be allowed to take care of your finances – pay bills, move money around and even open an account – if you are unable. There are different ways to create a POA so that the power extended meets your specific needs.
Your specific instructions for the types of medical care you want to receive or do not wish to receive are called your living will or health care directive. This can be as detailed as you desire.
You may also include a health care proxy in your will. This is a person whom you designate to make health care decisions for you if you become incapacitated, per the directions in your health care directive.
A trust is a way to protect larger assets from creditors and lawsuits, and there are many types of trusts. They can work to prevent your estate from having to go through the California probate process, which can be lengthy and costly.

The Deeper Meaning Of Wealth And Planning

Planning for the future and imparting a piece of who you are as a human into that legacy planning is the most meaningful way to help those you love after you are no longer here. That is the mission of Hatley Law Group APC and the reason it was founded. Rod Hatley can help you make the most of this opportunity to tell your story for family and future generations. Book a Call and set up a meeting. You can also reach Rod at the firm by sending a contact email. Based in San Diego, Rod travels all over California to help clients attain their estate planning goals.

Client Success Stories

Rod gave me his undivided attention, reviewed the information I provided, and was able to advise me as to the steps necessary to administer my husband's SNT

"Before my husband's passing, we worked with another estate planning attorney. We put into place estate planning documents to supplement a special needs trust (SNT) that a paralegal had helped us establish for my husband's benefit following his diagnosis of a critical illness. After my husband died, I didn't feel that I was getting the assistance I needed to administer my husband's SNT, which was both frustrating and upsetting. I was very distraught when I sought a second opinion from Attorney Rodney J. ("Rod") Hatley, who was personally referred to me by another attorney with whom I was working. Rod gave me his undivided attention, reviewed the information I provided, and was able to advise me as to the steps necessary to administer my husband's SNT. I cannot say enough about Rod's integrity, empathy, and his ability to resolve difficult problems calmly and efficiently. Rod is "one in a million" and will always put the care and interests of his clients first so that no client's family has to go through the challenges of conservatorship or probate when a loved one becomes mentally disabled or passes without proper planning."

Deb E.

Rod was happy to review the trust I had set up before I met him

“Rod was happy to review the trust I had set up before I met him. He explained the pros and cons of how the trust documents were worded. I feel confident in following his advice and counsel. I also like the fact that he served in the military and comes highly recommend by a colleague.”

– Susan P.

I highly recommend him to anyone who needs a trust

“Rodney J. Hatley did a trust for my husband and I. It was done in the most unique way. He is very detailed in his work and leaves nothing for you to guess about. I highly recommend him to anyone who needs a trust.”

– Rosemarie P.

I have had the pleasure of working with Rod Hatley on a number of client cases

“I have had the pleasure of working with Rod Hatley on a number of client cases. In addition we co-presented several workshops for professionals over several years. I have always found that Rod places a high degree of emphasis on detail and accuracy. He works hard to make sure that clients get the outcomes they want. No stone is left unturned when you collaborate with Rod.”

– John J.

Working with Rod and team on my Living Trust was seamless

“Working with Rod and team on my Living Trust was seamless. They guided me through the process and all my questions were answered. They were professional and truly cared that I understood everything along the way. I was a bit overwhelmed with the process yet Rod was able to counsel me and we got the job done!”

– Tamara M.

The Hatley Law Group made it so easy and fast

“The Family Trust process was much easier than we anticipated. We have been procrastinating for years because it felt overwhelming. The Hatley Law Group made it so easy and fast. We highly recommend their services. Thank you for putting our minds at ease.”

– David R.

Rod REALLY knows his stuff!

“Rod REALLY knows his stuff! We tried Zoom legal and that was a FAIL! Rod set us straight and made us see and understand things that were truly important when planning our future! Thanks, Rod!”

– Julie B.

The team at Hatley Law Group did an amazing job crafting a plan that met our needs

“Estate planning can be a tedious and overwhelming experience. The team at Hatley Law Group did an amazing job crafting a plan that met our needs.”

– Shawn M.