Your wishes, in writing.
Will Drafting in San Ramon, CA
A California will can name who receives your assets, nominate guardians for minor children, and name an executor. We prepare will documents at your specific direction.
Without a will, California law decides who raises your children and inherits your assets.
Quick Answer
A California will can name who receives your assets and nominate guardians for minor children; without one, California law decides. Govind Gopal, California Legal Document Assistant in San Ramon, prepares wills at your specific direction. Free 30-minute intro call.
What's Included
What a Will covers
Can nominate guardians for minor children
States who receives specific assets
Names an executor
Can be updated as your life changes
Can work alongside a living trust as a "pour-over" will
Can address digital assets and online accounts
Replaces California intestacy rules for assets it covers
Prepared at your specific direction
Who Needs This
Who needs a will drafting?
A will is one of the most common estate planning documents. Whether a will, a trust, or both is right for you is a question for a California estate planning attorney. Below is general information.
Parents with Minor Children
A will can nominate guardians for minor children. Without a nomination, a court decides.
Unmarried Couples
Under California intestacy rules, an unmarried partner generally does not inherit. A will can name them.
People with Specific Wishes
A will can state that particular items — a family home, heirlooms, or savings — go to particular people.
People Without a Trust
Without a will or trust, California intestacy law determines who inherits.
How It Works
The will drafting process.
Here is how our document preparation process works. Govind prepares the will you select, following your instructions. He does not give legal advice.
- 01
Free Intro Call
A 30-minute call where Govind explains his document preparation process, the documents he can prepare, and his fees. Questions about which documents are right for you should be directed to a California estate planning attorney.
- 02
Written Agreement & Your Instructions
Before any services begin, you sign the written Legal Document Assistant contract. You select the documents you want prepared and provide your instructions and information.
- 03
Draft Preparation and Review
Govind prepares the will from your instructions. You review the draft and tell him about any changes you want made.
- 04
Signing
You sign the will in the presence of two witnesses, as California law requires. As a notary public, Govind can notarize any signatures that require it.
California Considerations
What California law means for your will drafting.
General information about wills in California. This is not legal advice.
- A typed California will generally must be signed in front of two witnesses — who should not be beneficiaries.
- Without a will, California intestacy law determines who inherits — typically a spouse or domestic partner, children, then other relatives.
- A will alone does not avoid probate — it directs how assets are distributed if probate is required.
- California has simplified procedures for some smaller estates, with limits that depend on the type of property and the date of death — including a newer procedure for some primary residences valued up to $750,000. The California Courts Self-Help Guide lists the current limits.
Related Services
Other services you may also need.
Common Questions
Clear answers to real questions.
Categories
A pour-over will is commonly used alongside a living trust. It directs assets left outside the trust into the trust at death, and it can nominate guardians for minor children. Assets passing under a pour-over will may still be subject to probate.
In general, California intestacy law decides who inherits — typically a spouse or domestic partner, then children, then other relatives — and, if a court case is needed, a court appoints an administrator.
As general information, California generally requires two adult witnesses, and it is best that neither is a beneficiary. For questions about your specific situation, consult a California estate planning attorney.
Still have questions? Talk to Govind directly.
Every situation is different. A quick call is the fastest way to get a real answer.