Business Details
43 Years
experience
Trusted Estate Planning & Probate Lawyers in Downey, CA
For over forty-two years, our law office has provided quality legal services in estate planning, trust administration, probate administration, and real estate. Our practice spans Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties, with a commitment to personalized service that prioritizes client needs while minimizing costs. We specialize in crafting tailored legal solutions for trusts, wills, and powers of attorney, ensuring compliance with state laws and protecting clients' legacies.Our team combines legal expertise with compassion, offering guidance on tax implications, asset protection, and dispute resolution. Located in Downey, California, we serve clients throughout the state with convenient access to major freeways and a focus on long-term client relationships.
Services
Estate Planning
Probate Administration
Trust Administration
Wills & Trusts
Real Estate Law
Personal Injury Claims
Business Formation
Civil Appeals
Property Disputes
Alternate Dispute Resolution
Details
- Year established: 1983
Highlights and features
- We offer 40+ years of specialized experience in estate planning and probate law.
- Our practice combines legal expertise with personalized, client-centered service.
- We streamline complex legal processes to minimize client stress and costs.
- Our team holds extensive court admissions, including the U.S. Supreme Court.
- We provide tailored solutions for asset protection and tax-efficient estate transfers.
Services
Estate Planning
We create customized estate plans including wills, trusts, and powers of attorney to ensure asset distribution aligns with client wishes. Our services protect government benefits for special needs beneficiaries and minimize probate delays. Clients receive strategic tax planning and asset protection advice tailored to their financial circumstances.
Probate Administration
Our team guides executors through California's probate process, handling court filings, asset inventories, debt settlement, and final distributions. We streamline proceedings to reduce delays and costs while ensuring compliance with state laws. Services include representation in contested probate matters and trust administration disputes.
Trust Administration
We assist trustees with post-mortem trust administration, including asset transfer, tax compliance, and beneficiary communications. Our services cover revocable living trusts, special needs trusts, and irrevocable trusts. We ensure proper execution of trust terms while minimizing family conflicts and legal challenges.
Real Estate Law
Our practice handles real estate transactions, title disputes, and property transfers. Services include quiet title actions, lease agreements, foreclosure defense, and boundary dispute resolution. We represent clients in residential and commercial property matters, ensuring clear title transfers and compliance with land use regulations.
Personal Injury Claims
We represent clients in personal injury cases involving auto accidents, slip-and-fall incidents, and wrongful death. Our services include insurance negotiations, medical cost recovery, and litigation for severe injuries like spinal trauma and brain injuries. We operate on a contingency fee basis with no upfront costs.
People
John A. Bunnett
Attorney
With over 40 years of experience, John A. Bunnett specializes in estate planning and probate law. He graduated from Southwestern University School of Law in 1982 and holds admissions to multiple federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. He previously served as President of the Southeast District Bar Association.
Questions
What are the benefits of a living trust over a will?
Living trusts bypass probate, maintain privacy, allow asset management during incapacity, and enable immediate beneficiary distributions. They offer greater control over asset distribution timelines and conditions compared to wills.
How does a durable power of attorney aid estate planning?
A durable power of attorney ensures financial continuity during incapacity, avoids court-appointed guardianship, protects assets, and maintains business operations. It remains valid even if the principal becomes incapacitated.
What is the California probate process timeline?
California probate typically takes 6-18 months depending on estate complexity. It involves court filings, creditor notifications, asset appraisals, tax settlements, and final distributions. Disputes can extend this timeline significantly.
Can I create an estate plan without an attorney?
While possible, DIY estate plans risk legal errors that may invalidate documents. Our attorney ensures proper execution, state law compliance, and tailored solutions for complex family dynamics or high-value assets.
How do you handle contested probate proceedings?
We represent clients in will validity challenges, executor disputes, and beneficiary conflicts. Our approach includes negotiation, mediation, and litigation to protect client interests while adhering to court procedures and evidentiary standards.
What areas do you serve for real estate law?
We handle property matters across Southern California, including Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties. Our services cover transactions, title disputes, and land use issues for residential and commercial properties.
