About Lafranchi Law Office — Estate Planning Fairfax, California

Lafranchi Law Office delivers estate planning Fairfax and Marin County families depend on for comprehensive wills, trusts, and estate administration services. Attorney Scott Lafranchi has deep roots in Marin County and the Bay Area — an essential advantage in a market where trust and personal relationship matter in estate planning work. The firm focuses on helping every adult establish a solid estate plan, guided by the philosophy that “every adult should have an estate plan with at least a will, durable power of attorney for finances, and health care directive.” Scott Lafranchi also offers a free initial phone consultation at 415.531.8015. Explore additional estate planning resources at the estate planning attorney directory.

California’s estate planning landscape underwent a significant change in 2024 when Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 2016, which allows the transfer of a primary residence via a simplified Petition to Determine Succession to Real Property for estates where the real property does not exceed $750,000 — effective 2025. For Marin County residents, where property values are among the highest in the state, Lafranchi’s specific knowledge of California trust law and Marin County probate procedures is particularly valuable. The firm emphasizes that trusts help clients avoid the expensive, time-consuming, and public process of California probate — especially relevant for estates above the $208,850 threshold that triggers full probate.

What Clients Say

Clients of Lafranchi Law Office consistently appreciate the firm’s approachability and Scott Lafranchi’s willingness to explain the difference between a will and a trust in plain, accessible terms. Reviews highlight his deep community roots in Marin and the Bay Area, his thorough approach to client intake, and his ability to make what many people find an intimidating process feel manageable and straightforward.

Estate Planning Fairfax — Practice Areas & Services

• Revocable living trusts: Helping Fairfax and Marin County families establish living trusts that avoid California’s costly probate process and protect assets for beneficiaries.
• Wills and advance directives: Drafting simple and complex wills, durable powers of attorney for finances, and healthcare directives under California law.
• Trust administration: Guiding successor trustees through the often complex steps required to administer a trust after a loved one’s passing, including asset distribution and tax reporting.
• Probate guidance: Advising Marin County families on California’s probate process and exploring alternatives where the estate qualifies for simplified procedures.
• Professional referrals: Coordinating with trusted financial planners, accountants, and other professionals for comprehensive estate and financial planning in the Marin County area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does estate planning matter so much in Marin County, California?

Marin County’s high property values — with median home prices well above $1 million in most communities — mean that even “modest” estates can be subject to California’s full probate process. California probate is notably expensive: the statutory attorney and executor fees total approximately 4% of gross estate value on the first $100,000, declining on a sliding scale above that. A properly structured revocable trust avoids probate entirely, saving significant time, cost, and the public disclosure that probate requires. For Fairfax homeowners, trust planning is essentially a financial necessity.

What is the California probate threshold and how does it affect Fairfax residents?

California requires full probate court supervision for estates with assets — including real estate at full market value — exceeding $208,850. A 2024 law allows primary residence transfers under $750,000 through a simplified Petition to Determine Succession as of 2025, but most Marin County properties exceed even this threshold. For estates above $208,850, a revocable living trust is the most effective tool to avoid probate, and Lafranchi Law Office specifically emphasizes this planning as the core of every estate plan for Marin County clients.

Where are Marin County probate matters handled?

Probate and trust matters in Fairfax are handled at Marin County Superior Court, Civil Division, located at 3501 Civic Center Drive in San Rafael. The court processes probate petitions, trust disputes, and estate administration matters for all of Marin County. An attorney familiar with the Marin County Probate Court and its specific procedural expectations can manage the process significantly more efficiently than a general-purpose attorney without local probate experience.