Top Orange County Estate Planning Attorneys

At Evolution Tax & Legal, we help individuals and families across California create thoughtful, customized estate plans that protect what matters most. Whether you’re starting a family, preparing for retirement, or planning for the next generation, our Orange County estate planning attorneys bring a unique combination of legal and tax expertise to every plan we design.

Unlike most estate planning law firms, we’re also seasoned tax professionals. This means we don’t just draft legal documents—we create tax-smart estate strategies that minimize exposure to estate, gift, capital gains, and income taxes. As your long-term advisors, we can also help with trust and estate tax filings in future years to ensure your plan is working as intended.

We proudly serve clients across Orange County, Los Angeles County, and Southern California, including Newport Beach, Dana Point, Santa Ana, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, and Mission Viejo.

Why Choose Evolution Tax & Legal

Choosing the right estate planning attorney in Orange County can make all the difference in protecting your family and your legacy. At Evolution Tax & Legal, our clients work with a firm that offers:

1. Tax-Smart Planning – Unique to Evolution Tax & Legal, our team is dually certified in law and accounting, allowing us to provide insight into the financial aspect of estate planning, as well as the legal implications for your heirs. This extensive knowledge allows us to create strategies designed to maximize tax efficiency across income, gift, estate, and capital gains taxes.
2. Integrated Legal + Tax Support – We don’t just prepare your plan—we can also handle your trust’s tax filings and compliance obligations in the years that follow.
3. Extensive Experience – We’ve created complex estate plans for families, professionals, and business owners.
4. Personalized Service – Every estate plan is tailored to your goals, assets, and family dynamics.
5. Long-Term Relationship – As your family, business, and goals evolve, we’re here to update your plan accordingly.

As a California estate planning attorney, we’ve helped clients from all walks of life take control of their future—and we’re ready to help you do the same.

Who We Help

Our Orange County estate planning lawyers work with clients at all stages of life and wealth. We regularly help:

• Young families who want to name guardians, protect minor children, and start building wealth
• Retirees preparing for long-term care and asset preservation
• Business owners planning for succession and continuity
• Blended families with unique inheritance concerns
• High-net-worth individuals with complex tax and legacy planning needs

No matter your situation, we take the time to understand your values, priorities, and vision for the future.

Our Estate Planning Process

As your California estate planning lawyer, our goal is to make estate planning simple, even for complex estates. Here’s what you can expect:

1. Initial Consultation – We learn about your goals, family dynamics, and assets.
2. Questionnaire – You complete a comprehensive questionnaire designed to uncover every asset.
3. Strategic Design – We build a plan that addresses your legal and tax objectives.
4. Draft & Review – You receive drafts of all legal documents for your input.
5. Execution – Once finalized, we handle the signing, witnessing, and notary requirements.
6. Ongoing Support – As your life changes, we’re here to update and maintain your plan.

What’s Included in a Customized Estate Plan

Estate planning is the process of arranging your assets in anticipation of death or incapacitation. In preparation, an estate planning attorney will meet with you to understand your wishes and create the necessary legal documents ensuring your health directives are followed and your assets and property are properly distributed.

The assets and property in your estate include:

• Real estate and real property you own
• Bank accounts held in your name
• Life insurance policies
• Stocks and securities
• Personal property such as jewelry, cars, and technology
• Retirement assets and accounts

Estate plans are far more comprehensive than asset division, however. It’s about putting a comprehensive structure in place for the future. Depending on your needs, your estate plan may include:

• Revocable Living Trust – The foundation of most California estate plans, used to avoid probate and manage assets
• Pour-Over Will – A safeguard that ensures any assets outside your trust are still governed by your wishes
• Durable Power of Attorney – Appoints someone to handle financial matters if you become incapacitated
• Advance Healthcare Directive – Specifies your medical care preferences and appoints someone to make medical decisions on your behalf
• Guardianship Nominations – Names legal guardians for your minor children
• Business Succession Planning – Structures ownership and management transfer for business continuity
• Tax-Driven Gifting Strategies – Annual exclusion gifting, GRATs, or IDGTs to transfer wealth while minimizing gift and estate tax exposure
• Asset Protection Planning – Tools to shield personal or business assets from future liability or creditors
• Charitable Planning – Techniques such as Charitable Remainder Trusts (CRTs) or Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) to align giving with tax benefits
• Multi-Generational Trust Design – Long-term trusts designed to preserve family wealth and provide for future generations

With our years of experience in California, we thoroughly understand the state and federal laws that will affect your estate administration, for example, navigating the recent legislative changes around Prop 19 and the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). Our estate lawyers use the financial and legal knowledge gained from dual certifications in accounting and law to provide you with a well-rounded estate planning experience, ensuring proper asset protection and minimal tax liabilities.

Every plan designed by one of our estate planning attorneys is customized to your goals, family dynamics, and the assets you want to protect.

Avoiding Probate in California (and Other Benefits of Estate Planning)

If you don’t have an estate plan, the state has one for you! It’s called probate.

One of the key goals of a properly designed estate plan is avoiding probate. In California, the probate process can be time-consuming, expensive, and public. Without a trust-based plan in place, your estate may end up tied up in the court system—delaying distributions, increasing costs, and exposing sensitive information.

Our estate attorneys help clients structure their plans to avoid probate altogether through the use of revocable living trusts, proper asset titling, and beneficiary designations. The result: your assets are distributed efficiently, privately, and according to your wishes.

But avoiding probate is just one of many benefits. A well-structured estate plan can also:

• Ensure Wealth Distribution According to Your Wishes – Your plan controls how your assets are passed on—rather than leaving it to state intestacy laws that may not reflect your values.
• Protect Minor and Adult Beneficiaries – Whether you’re safeguarding young children or shielding adult heirs from poor financial decisions, your plan can put the right protections in place.
• Minimize Estate and Income Taxes – With the right tax strategies—such as gifting, charitable planning, or advanced trusts—you can reduce the taxes paid by your estate and increase what’s passed on.
• Reduce Family Conflict – A clearly defined estate plan minimizes the risk of disputes between family members, helping to preserve harmony and reduce emotional stress during an already difficult time.
• Plan for Incapacity – With powers of attorney and healthcare directives, you can appoint trusted individuals to make medical and financial decisions if you’re unable to act for yourself.
• Ensure Business Continuity – If you’re a business owner, your plan can include succession strategies that keep operations running smoothly and protect your company’s value.
• Protect Assets from Creditors and Litigation – With asset protection tools, you can safeguard personal or business assets from legal exposure or future claims.
• Give You and Your Loved Ones Peace of Mind – Estate planning provides certainty in uncertain times—giving you confidence that your wishes will be carried out and your family will be taken care of.

At Evolution Tax & Legal, we’re helping clients build estate plans that go far beyond avoiding probate. We design strategic frameworks to protect your wealth, your values, and your legacy—now and for years to come.

Estate planning is a deeply personal process that reflects your unique circumstances, values, and wishes. It’s often advisable to work with experienced professionals, such as an estate planning attorney, to develop a plan that effectively captures your goals and provides for your loved ones.

Lifelong Support for Evolving Needs

Your estate plan isn’t static—and neither is your life. At Evolution Tax & Legal, we develop life-long relationships with our clients to ensure your plan stays aligned with your goals as your circumstances evolve.

Whether you welcome a new child, sell a business, invest in new property, or experience other life transitions, we’re here to proactively guide you through plan updates and tax implications so your wishes remain protected and your strategies continue to work in your best interest.

Trusted by Families and Business Owners Throughout Orange County and California

We’ve built our reputation on delivering thoughtful, tax-efficient estate plans that protect what matters most. But don’t take our word for it—see what some of our past clients have shared.

“Alton and his team at Evolution Tax and Legal are very helpful and honest. There’s no guessing what you need and they’re very helpful in supporting your needs all the way on your tax journey. They helped us in our estate planning.” — David Hoover

“I am grateful for the quality of service and care when preparing our Estate. There are many routes to take, and discussing this through with Alton we have been able to complete our Trust so our family would not have complications down the road.” — Jeri Smith

Schedule a Consultation With an Estate Planning Attorney

Ready to take the next step? Contact our Orange County estate planning lawyer today to schedule your initial meeting.

We’ll help you build a customized, tax-smart estate plan that protects your family, your business, and your legacy.

Frequently Asked Questions: California Estate Planning

Do I need a trust if I already have a will?

If you want to avoid probate, a will alone is not sufficient. Rather, this “last will and testament” is more of a letter written to a probate judge to express your desires. To avoid probate, you should consider adding a living trust to your estate planning strategy.

How often should I update my estate plan?

It’s not uncommon for many estate plans to require updating after a few years go by— it’s wise to review and update your estate plan at least every three to five years or after significant life events like marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or substantial changes in your financial situation. Additionally, changes in laws could also necessitate updates to your plan. Estate planning lawyers should always be up-to-date on recent legislative changes, keeping you out of probate.

What if I have property in more than one state?

We can help you structure your estate to avoid ancillary probate and manage assets across jurisdictions. While our firm is located in Orange County, California, we’ve helped families and businesses across the country with their estate planning needs. We are also available to help individuals who love outside the US or are not US citizens, but who own assets in the USA.

Can you help with estate and trust tax filings too?

Yes—our team includes tax professionals who can assist with IRS filings, income tax planning for trusts, and gift/estate tax strategies.

What is a durable power of attorney and why do I need one?

A durable power of attorney is a legal document that grants someone else the authority to make decisions on your behalf, even if you become incapacitated. It’s crucial for managing your affairs when you’re unable to do so and ensures that your wishes are followed.

What are advance healthcare directives and why are they important?

Advance healthcare directives, including living wills and healthcare powers of attorney, allow you to outline your wishes for medical treatment if you become incapacitated. They are crucial for ensuring your healthcare preferences are respected and legally adhered to.

What are the tax implications of estate planning?

Estate planning can significantly affect your estate’s tax liability, including federal estate taxes and state inheritance taxes (though California currently does not impose one). Strategies like gifting, trusts, and charitable donations can be used to minimize or avoid these taxes.

Can I create my own estate plan, or do I need an attorney?

While you can technically create your own estate plan, hiring an estate planning attorney is recommended to ensure your documents are legally sound, reflect your wishes accurately, and consider all aspects of California law. Should your documents not be found legally sound, your family will end up following probate law and your wishes may be overridden.

Who Needs Estate Planning Services?

It is a good idea for anyone over the age of 18 who holds any assets or property to begin thinking about an estate plan. Ensuring the protection of the assets you worked hard for will provide you with peace of mind, as well as ensure that your medical directives are carried out to the best of your wishes provided you become incapacitated. At Evolution Tax and Legal, our Orange County estate planning lawyer can work with you to determine the level of estate planning that is best for you at whatever point you are at in life, from basic planning needs to a sophisticated, thorough plan.

What if I need help with trust administration after a loved one passes?

While our firm focuses on tax planning and estate plan creation, we’re happy to connect you with trusted professionals who can assist with trust administration and post-death legal requirements.