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Estate Planning Attorney in Concord, CA | Matthew W. Harris, Esq., LLM

Most people put off estate planning for years. Not because they don’t care about their family. They just don’t know where to start, or they assume it’s only for the wealthy.

Here’s the truth: if you own a home in Concord, have money in a retirement account, or have children who depend on you, you need an estate plan. Without one, California’s intestate succession laws decide what happens to your assets — not you.

At the law office of Matthew W. Harris, Esq., LLM, I help families and individuals throughout Concord, Contra Costa County, and the greater East Bay get their affairs in order. My goal is simple: make sure your wishes are carried out, your loved ones are protected, and your estate doesn’t end up stuck in a lengthy California probate process.

What Is Estate Planning and Why Does It Matter in California?

Estate planning is the process of deciding — while you’re healthy and clear-headed — what happens to your property, your finances, and your dependents if you die or become incapacitated.

California has some of the highest real estate values in the country. If you own a home in Concord or anywhere in Contra Costa County, your estate may already exceed the $184,500 threshold that triggers formal probate under the California Probate Code. That process can take 12 to 18 months and cost your family thousands of dollars in court fees and attorney costs.

A properly drafted estate plan — with a revocable living trust at its center — keeps your estate out of probate court entirely. Your family gets faster access to assets, privacy, and far less stress during an already difficult time.

Why Work With Matthew W. Harris, Esq., LLM?

Advanced credentials. Most estate planning attorneys hold a J.D. I hold both a J.D. and an LLM — a Master of Laws with a concentration in taxation or estate planning. That’s an additional year of graduate-level study focused specifically on the area of law I practice. It matters when your plan involves tax strategy, complex trusts, or business interests.

Licensed and local. I’m licensed by the State Bar of California and I practice right here in Concord. I know this community. I understand the real estate values in Contra Costa County, the financial profiles of families in the East Bay, and the specific planning challenges that come with California’s community property laws.

Personalized attention. This is a boutique law office. You’ll work directly with me — not a paralegal, not a junior associate. That means continuity, real answers to your questions, and a plan that actually fits your life.

Free initial consultation. You shouldn’t have to pay just to find out if you need help. I offer a free consultation so you can get your questions answered and understand your options before committing to anything.

Memberships and affiliations. I’m a member of the State Bar of California, the Contra Costa County Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the ABA Section of Real Property, Trust and Estate Law.

Estate Planning Services in Concord, CA

Every client’s situation is different. A blended family in Clayton has different needs than a business owner near the Sun Valley Mall area, or a retiree near Todos Santos Plaza. That’s why every estate plan I create starts with a real conversation about your life, your goals, and your concerns.

Last Will and Testament

A will is the foundation of any estate plan. It names who gets your property, who serves as executor, and — critically for parents — who raises your minor children if you’re gone. Dying without a will in California means a court appoints those people for you.

Revocable Living Trust

A revocable living trust is the most effective tool for avoiding probate in California. You keep full control of your assets during your lifetime. When you pass, a successor trustee you’ve chosen distributes everything according to your instructions — no court, no delays, no public record.

For most Concord homeowners and families, a living trust is the centerpiece of their estate plan.

Durable Power of Attorney

This document gives someone you trust the legal authority to handle your finances if you become unable to do so yourself. Without it, your family may need to go through a costly conservatorship proceeding in court just to pay your bills.

Advance Healthcare Directive

Also called a healthcare directive or living will, this document has two parts. First, it lets you name a healthcare agent who can make medical decisions for you. Second, it spells out your wishes about life-sustaining treatment. This document gives your doctors and family clarity when it matters most.

Pour-Over Will

If you have a living trust, a pour-over will works alongside it. It captures any assets you forgot to transfer into your trust and directs them into the trust at your death. Think of it as a safety net.

Trust Funding

One of the biggest mistakes people make is creating a trust and never putting anything in it. An unfunded trust offers almost no protection. I walk every client through the trust funding process — retitling real property, updating financial accounts, and reviewing beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and life insurance.

Irrevocable Trusts and Asset Protection Planning

For clients with more complex needs — high-net-worth individuals, business owners, or those planning for Medicaid eligibility — an irrevocable trust can offer significant tax and asset protection benefits. Once created, these trusts generally can’t be changed, so it’s important to work with an attorney who understands both the planning and the long-term implications.

Special Needs Trust

If you have a child or other loved one with a disability, a special needs trust lets you leave them an inheritance without disqualifying them from government benefits like Medi-Cal or SSI. This is one of the most important planning tools available for families in this situation.

Probate Administration and Trust Administration

If a family member has recently passed, I can help you navigate the California probate process or administer a trust. Both processes involve legal and financial responsibilities that can be overwhelming without guidance.

Business Succession Planning

For Concord business owners, an estate plan isn’t complete without thinking through what happens to your business. I help business owners plan for the transfer of ownership in a way that minimizes tax exposure and keeps the business running.

Who I Serve

Estate planning isn’t one-size-fits-all. I work with:

  • Parents of minor children who need a guardian named and assets protected
  • Homeowners in Concord, Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, and surrounding areas who want to keep their property out of probate
  • Blended families with stepchildren, prior marriages, or complex family dynamics
  • Seniors and elderly clients planning for long-term care, Medicaid eligibility, or a transition to assisted living
  • Business owners who need a succession plan tied to their estate plan
  • Real estate investors with multiple properties across Contra Costa County
  • High-net-worth individuals focused on estate tax reduction and asset protection
  • Retirement account holders who need beneficiary designations reviewed and coordinated with their overall plan
  • Clients with digital assets like cryptocurrency, online accounts, or intellectual property that needs to be addressed in the plan

I also serve clients in Martinez, Clayton, Pittsburg, Antioch, Brentwood, and throughout the Bay Area.

Ready to Protect What You’ve Built?

Most people feel relieved after getting their estate plan done. The uncertainty is gone. Your family knows what to do. Your assets are protected.

The hardest part is usually starting. A free consultation with my office takes the guesswork out of it. We’ll talk through your situation, what documents you need, and what the process looks like. No pressure, no jargon.

Matthew W. Harris, Esq., LLM Estate Planning Attorney | Concord, CA Serving Concord, Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, Martinez, Clayton, Pittsburg, Antioch, Brentwood, and the greater East Bay

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Estate planning isn’t just about money. It’s about deciding who raises your kids, who manages your finances if you’re injured, and how your home and accounts are transferred when you die. If you die without a plan in California, state law decides all of that for you — and the result may not match what you would have wanted.

A will goes through probate — the public court process for distributing a deceased person’s estate. A living trust doesn’t. That means your family avoids court, saves time and money, and keeps your financial affairs private. For most California families with a home or meaningful assets, a living trust is the better choice. Many people use both: a trust for most assets, and a pour-over will as a backup.

Costs vary depending on the complexity of your situation. A simple will package might run a few hundred dollars. A comprehensive trust-based plan for a family or business owner can be more. What I can tell you is this: the cost of a good estate plan is almost always far less than the cost of probate, a contested inheritance, or a court-appointed conservatorship. Schedule a free consultation and I’ll give you a clear picture of what your plan would involve.

Your estate goes through intestate succession under California law. That means a formula — not your wishes — determines who gets your property. Your unmarried partner gets nothing. A distant relative might inherit before a close friend you considered family. Your minor children’s guardian is decided by a court. For most people, that’s not an acceptable outcome.

Plan to review your estate plan after any major life event: marriage, divorce, the birth or adoption of a child, a death in the family, buying or selling property, starting or selling a business, or a significant change in your finances. At minimum, review it every three to five years. Laws change. So do family dynamics.

You can, but it comes with real risks. Online forms don’t account for California’s specific community property laws, don’t verify that your assets are actually transferred into your trust, and can’t catch the kind of errors that lead to unintended consequences. Many families end up in probate court because a trust was created but never properly funded, or because documents weren’t signed correctly. An attorney catches those problems before they become expensive.

Yes, you really do. An advance healthcare directive tells your doctors and family what kind of medical care you want if you can’t speak for yourself. Without it, your family may disagree about your care — and hospitals will follow standard protocols rather than your personal wishes. It’s one of the most important documents in any estate plan, and one of the most overlooked.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER:

The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, in any way an attorney-client relationship. Matthew W. Harris, Esq., LL.M is a California lawyer in good standing with the State Bar of California. Matthew W. Harris is admitted to practice only in California. Mr. Harris is not licensed to practice in any other jurisdiction.