Estate planning for

Married Clients

We assist married couples in avoiding unnecessary income and estate taxes, as well as probate, through the creation of revocable living trusts as well as irrevocable trusts, asset protection trusts, drafting of additional estate planning documents. California is a community property state. We counsel married couples in understanding how community property titling is different from joint tenancy and how titling affects estate planning.

Estate planning for

Single Clients

We provide services to single clients, same-sex couples, single parents, and unmarried couples in developing effective estate and trust plans that assure privacy and are appropriate to their unique situations. We aid clients in the creation of revocable living trusts as well as drafting additional necessary documents, including wills, durable powers of attorney, advance health care directives and assignments.

Estate planning for

Same Sex Clients

For same sex couples there is not a great deal of literature, either in the popular press or in legal publications addressing the issue of, for lack of a better term, “alternative lifestyle estate planning”. The purpose of this article is to briefly address certain major issues applicable to same sex couples, as well as opposite sex couples living outside of what the law recognizes as a traditional marriage.

Post-Mortem Trust

Administration

After a client has died, we assist family members and fiduciaries (i.e., Executors, Trustees) in the proper administration of trusts and other estate settlement documents to fulfill the goals of the client’s estate plan. We will also provide Medicare and medical planning services in “special needs” cases for elderly clients, disabled clients, and their care givers.

Welcome to the Law Offices of
M. Franklin Parrish

At the Law Offices of M. Franklin Parrish, we are dedicated to the practice of traditional estate planning techniques. Each client’s needs are unique and are carefully reviewed and analyzed. We offer personalized, professional services to married couples, domestic partners and single individuals seeking competent and informed legal guidance in matters related to successful estate and trust planning.We also assist clients in taking the appropriate steps to avoid unnecessary income taxation, as well as federal estate taxes. The federal estate tax has undergone significant changes in the past six years. Discuss your estate plan with a knowledgeable attorney

Contact us today to discover how proper asset management and estate planning can benefit you and your loved ones.

Weekly Trust News Update

Basic Federal Estate Tax Exclusion for 2015 has just been announced by the IRS. The Exclusion has been increased effective January 1, 2015,  from $5,340,000 in 2014, to $5,430,000 in 2015. However, the Annual Exclusion for lifetime gifting remains at $14,000 per year/per recipient. Simply stated: You may give $14,000 to an endless number of individuals in 2015, and never be required to file a Federal Gift Tax Return. In addition, the transfer is income tax free to the recipient.