Wills and Trusts
A will and a living trust do different jobs, and most families in California need both. We build estate plans that avoid probate, name the right people to make decisions if you cannot, and hold up under pressure.
Estate Planning & Elder Law
Modesto Estate Planning, Probate and Elder Law
Wills, trusts, probate, conservatorships and elder abuse protection for Stanislaus County families.
We help families across Stanislaus County protect what they have built and the people they love. That means wills, trusts, probate, conservatorships, and the elder abuse cases nobody wants to think about until they are living through one. We build plans that hold up when it counts.
Colleen Van Egmond Delahanty is a Certified Estate Planner who has spent her career protecting families and vulnerable adults, including recovering approximately $11 million in a financial elder abuse and trust litigation case. We explain your options in plain English and build a plan that actually works when it is needed.
Talk to a partnerWhat we handle
Matters in this practice
Probate
If a loved one died without a trust, their estate likely has to go through probate court in Stanislaus County. We handle the filings, the accounting, and the hearings so the family is not left guessing.
Trust Administration
Serving as trustee is a real job with real legal duties, and getting it wrong can create personal liability. We guide trustees through notice requirements, asset distribution, and final accountings.
Will and Trust Contests
Not every will or trust reflects what someone actually wanted, especially when undue influence or incapacity is involved. Whether you are contesting a document or defending one, we litigate these cases in Stanislaus County probate court.
Conservatorships
When an adult can no longer manage their own health or finances, a conservatorship gives someone legal authority to step in. In urgent situations we petition for emergency conservatorships to get protection in place fast.
Elder Law and Long-Term Care
Long-term care is expensive, and waiting until a crisis hits limits your options. We plan ahead for nursing home costs, Medi-Cal eligibility, and asset protection so aging does not wipe out a lifetime of work.
Financial Elder Abuse
Financial elder abuse shows up as a new best friend on the bank account, a caregiver with sudden control, or a will that changed right before someone died. Colleen has recovered significant funds for victims and their families.
Asset Protection Planning
Lawsuits, creditors, and family disputes can put assets at risk if there is no plan in place. We structure trusts, entities, and ownership so what you built stays protected for the people who inherit it.
Business Succession Planning
A business you built does not have to fall apart when you retire, get sick, or pass away. We put a succession plan in place covering ownership transfer, buy-sell agreements, and leadership transition.
Planning for Children
If something happens to both parents, a court decides who raises your kids unless you have said so in writing. We put guardianship nominations and trusts in place so your wishes control, not a judge.
Do you have a case
Signs it is time to call.
- You own a home or property in California
- You have minor children and no named guardian
- A parent or spouse is aging and cannot manage finances alone
- You have never updated your plan after a marriage, divorce, or death in the family
- You own a business with no succession plan
- You suspect a family member is financially exploiting an elderly relative
How it works
What happens next.
- Tell us what is going onTell us what you are trying to protect. We will tell you honestly whether you need a will, a trust, or something more.
- We review your situationWe look at your assets, your family, and any urgent issues, like a conservatorship that cannot wait, so nothing falls through the cracks.
- We build the planWe draft the documents, structure the trust, or prepare the court filings, explaining each decision in plain language.
- We keep it currentLife changes. We help you update your plan as your family, assets, and goals change over the years.
Questions
Common questions
Do I need a trust or is a will enough in California?
A will alone means your estate goes through probate, which is public, slow, and costs money. A living trust lets your family skip probate entirely and keeps your affairs private. For most homeowners in California, a trust is worth the upfront cost.
What is probate and how long does it take in Stanislaus County?
Probate is the court process that transfers a deceased person's assets when there is no trust, or when a will has to be validated. In Stanislaus County, straightforward cases typically take eight months to over a year, and contested cases take longer.
How fast can I get an emergency conservatorship?
When someone is in immediate danger, a court can grant a temporary emergency conservatorship in a matter of days, sometimes before the full hearing is scheduled. We move quickly to get the petition filed and in front of a judge.
What counts as financial elder abuse?
It includes anything from a caregiver draining a bank account to a stranger pressuring an elderly person into signing over property or changing a will. It is more common than people think, and it is often family members or trusted caregivers doing it.
What does an estate plan cost?
It depends on whether you need a simple will, a full living trust, or something more complex like a business succession plan. We give you a clear number before any work starts.
Do you only work with wealthy families?
No. If you own a home, have kids, or care about who makes decisions for you if you cannot, you need a plan. Estate planning is not just for large estates.
Do not wait for a crisis to put a plan in place.
Call (209) 876-8886 or send us a message. You speak directly with a partner.