Mapping Your Legacy

Comprehensive Estate Planning Services

 Estate Planning Services with a Personal Touch.

Future Planning

Legally binding plan in place for your children and assets.

Living Trust

Opt for a Living Trust, saving time and money.

Wills

Prevent family fighting, ensure asset go to the right people.

Power of Attorney

Dictate who will make decisions on your behalf

Ready to Safeguard Your Legacy?

Schedule a Consultation Now – Let’s Begin!

About us

Empowering Families, One Plan at a Time

Agnieszka Askov grew up in Southern California and passed the California State Bar examination on her first attempt in 2014. After becoming a mother, Agnieszka realized just how important it is to have estate planning in place to protect your family and plan for the unexpected. Additionally, she discovered just how lengthy and expensive the Probate process actually is. Knowing that parents can find it especially hard to make extra time, which is why Agnieszka will come to you, on your schedule, even if that means a weekend meeting.

education

Professional Affiliations

Ready to Safeguard Your Legacy?

Schedule a Consultation Now – Let’s Begin!

Our Services

Navigating Legacies

Our comprehensive estate planning services extend beyond the conventional, bringing expertise right to your doorstep. We prioritize your needs, offering personalized consultations at your home or office. From outlining Living Trusts to ensuring your Will reflects your wishes, we guide you every step of the way.

Professional Affiliations

Our Services

Understanding The Process

Imagine this scenario: You and your husband are out on a highly anticipated date night, having a blast. The babysitter is home with the kids, and has emergency phone numbers. On your way home, a drunk driver hits your vehicle and both you and your spouse are rushed to the hospital, unconscious. The babysitter will eventually call the Police when unable to reach you. Who takes the kids? If there is no plan in place, social services may become involved until a Court determines temporary guardianship. No one will have access to your bank accounts, but the bills will keep rolling in. By creating an Estate Plan, you can have a legally binding plan in place for your children and assets, and avoid court intervention.

The only way to truly avoid Probate in California is to utilize a Living Trust. This is a highly customizable legal document which dictates exactly how, and to whom, your assets will be distributed. The Probate process lasts for at least one year and generally involves hefty attorney fees, which are determined by law as a percentage of the total estate assets. For example, a $500,000 estate will incur about $15,000 in probate attorney fees. Anyone who owns a house should seriously consider creating a Living Trust, it is much cheaper in the long run. Aside from avoiding the cost and time of probate, you can structure payments to be made in small increments, to avoid an inheritance being squandered by a beneficiary who is just bad with money, and condition those payments on pursuit of higher education or holding down a full time job.

If you die without a Will, the Court will distribute your assets based on California law; this is called Intestate Succession. If you had any minor children, and there is no other parent or legal guardian, it will be up to a Judge to decide who will care for those children. A Judge may think your sister is the best person, but will not take into regard religious beliefs or whether your sister will raise the children with your values. By putting together a Will, you can determine exactly where your property will be, and who will care for your children.

 In the event that you are in an accident and suddenly find yourself in a hospital, either in a coma or unable to communicate, who will make decisions on your behalf and what should those decisions be? How will the bills be paid, what kind of care will you want, and who will be your advocate? A Power of Attorney answers those questions, and ensures that your wishes will be followed. By completing a Power of Attorney, you can dictate who will make decisions on your behalf, express specific wishes for health care and finances, and avoid the need for a court order.

When a person is appointed as a Trustee, Executor, or Administrator, there are certain duties they must fulfill. Some of these duties include: opening an estate bank account, filing estate tax returns, keeping records of all assets, and making distributions. These duties can be complicated and overwhelming, and Askov Estate Planning can help guide you in doing this job correctly.

Probate is a court process that distributes an individual’s assets after his or her death. Unlike other states, California does not follow the Uniform Probate Code and instead has its own probate laws. The process begins with filing a Petition with the Court and filing a will, if one exists. If there is no executor named due to there being no Will, a close family member may ask to be appointed as administrator. In California, Probate can take over a year to be completed, i.e. before any money is distributed. The attorney fees are set by state law, and are a percentage of the estate assets. This means that for anyone who owns a home, they are likely looking at $15,000 in attorney fees or more. Finally, Probate is public and requires a notice of the probate to be published in the local newspaper. This means unsolicited phone calls from real estate agents and bond services to the relative handling your probate; what a headache. For more information about the Probate process contact us for a free consultation.

Ready to Get Started Planning Your Estate?

Celebrating Diversity

Where Every Voice Matters

At Askov Estate Planning, we proudly embrace the principle that ‘You Are Welcome Here.’ Diversity and inclusion are not just buzzwords for us; they’re the bedrock of our company culture. We believe that every individual brings a unique perspective and strength to the table. We actively foster an environment where everyone feels valued, heard, and respected. We recognize that diversity isn’t just about representation but about creating a genuine sense of belonging. We celebrate the richness that comes with differences, knowing that it makes us stronger, more creative, and better equipped to serve you. Your story, your legacy, and your voice matter here.