1. What areas of law do you specialize in? We focus on helping small business owners and families. Our main practice areas include wills, trusts, estate administration & probate, real estate & property rights, and business legal planning.
2. Why should I do “preventative law” (estate planning/business structure) instead of waiting until there’s a problem? Preventative planning helps you avoid crises. Proper documents like wills or trusts protect your assets, clarify your health care wishes, handle guardianship for children, reduce legal fees and court delays, and generally give peace of mind that things are handled if life takes unexpected turns. Fine Point Law emphasizes long-term relationships so we can help you stay ahead rather than respond to emergencies.
3. What is the difference between a will and a trust? While both are estate planning tools, they serve different functions:
Will: Specifies who inherits your property, names guardians for minor children, and directs your wishes for funeral or burial. But a will must go through probate, which is a public court process.
Trust: Can allow assets to bypass probate, offer more privacy, sometimes save on costs/delays, and may offer more control over timing/distribution of assets. We can help you decide which tools (or combination of tools) are best suited for your specific situation.
4. How much does estate planning / business formation cost? Costs vary depending on complexity: number of assets, types of assets, whether there are business interests, complexity of family situation, etc. During your first consultation, we’ll assess your unique needs and give you a clear fee estimate. We also offer a 15-minute introductory call to help you understand whether working together makes sense.
5. What can I expect during the first meeting? In our first consultation we will: Talk about your goals: what you want to protect, what you envision for your family/business. Review what documents you may already have (if any). Identify potential gaps or risks. Outline possible strategies/legal tools. Discuss fees and timeline. This helps us build a plan tailored to you, and helps you see what steps are involved.
6. How do I choose between LLC, S-Corp, or other business entity? This depends on several factors: your business’ size, income, liability exposure, how profits are handled/distributed, tax considerations, and future growth. We evaluate your situation and help you pick a structure that aligns with your business goals and protects you legally.
7. What does “estate administration / probate” involve and do I need a lawyer for it? Estate administration / probate refers to the legal process of winding up someone’s affairs after they pass away: validating their will (if there is one), paying debts, distributing assets to heirs. While it’s possible to do some parts yourself, having a lawyer ensures: Proper legal compliance Reduced risk of mistakes/delays Peace of mind that everything is done legally and efficiently Fine Point Law guides clients through probate so that the process is as smooth as possible.
8. How often should I review or update my estate plan / legal documents? We recommend reviewing your plan whenever there’s a major life event or change such as: Marriage, divorce Birth or adoption of children Significant change in financial situation or business ownership Moving to a different state Death of a beneficiary or executor/trustee Even without major changes, it’s good to revisit every few years to ensure everything is up to date with your wishes and current law.
9. Where are you located, and do you serve clients remotely? We are based in Santa Cruz, California, at 113 Cooper Street. Fine Point Law +1 Yes — we can serve clients remotely when appropriate, such as document drafting or consultations by phone or video. But in some cases, in-person meeting may be helpful (especially when signing certain documents or addressing real-property matters).
10. How do you protect client privacy and confidential information? We abide by all legal and ethical obligations regarding client confidentiality. All communications are confidential. We use secure systems for document storage and client portals. Your personal, financial, and legal information is handled with care and only disclosed as necessary (per law or your express permission).
