Estate Planning for Fire Victims
Protect Your Recovery. Secure Your Family's Future. Rebuild with Confidence.
After losing everything, proper estate planning ensures your recovery stays protected.
Schedule Your Estate Planning ConsultationWhy Fire Victims Need Specialized Estate Planning
After a devastating fire, you're not just rebuilding your home - you're rebuilding your entire financial life. With 25+ years of experience, I understand the unique challenges fire victims face.
Your insurance settlements, lawsuit recoveries, and government assistance create new estate planning needs. Without proper planning, your recovery could be lost to taxes, creditors, or family disputes.
Unique Estate Planning Concerns for Fire Victims
🔥 Sudden Wealth from Settlements
Large insurance payouts and lawsuit settlements create immediate tax and asset protection concerns:
- Capital gains tax planning
- Income tax minimization strategies
- Asset protection from future creditors
- Investment planning for lump sums
📄 Lost Documents & Records
Fire destroyed your important papers. We help you rebuild your estate plan from scratch:
- Recreate wills and trusts
- Replace lost deeds and titles
- Restore beneficiary designations
- Document family heirlooms lost
👨👩👧👦 Changed Family Dynamics
Trauma and displacement affect family relationships and planning needs:
- Updated guardian nominations
- Revised inheritance plans
- Family support trusts
- Emotional trauma considerations
🏗️ Rebuilding Phase Risks
The 2-3 year rebuilding process creates unique vulnerabilities:
- Contractor liability issues
- Construction loan protections
- Temporary housing arrangements
- Multiple property considerations
💰 Government Benefits Protection
Preserve eligibility while maximizing recovery:
- FEMA assistance coordination
- SBA loan considerations
- Medi-Cal/Medicare planning
- Special needs trust options
⚖️ Ongoing Litigation Assets
Protect potential recoveries from utility and insurance lawsuits:
- Lawsuit proceeds planning
- Structured settlement options
- Class action considerations
- Future claim protections
Start Your Estate Plan Today
Complete our comprehensive estate planning questionnaire to get your personalized plan started.
Save time and ensure accuracy by filling out your information online before your consultation.
Complete Estate Planning Questionnaire →Takes 15-20 minutes • Secure & Confidential • Save Progress Anytime
Comprehensive Estate Planning Services
With 25+ years of experience, I provide the full spectrum of estate planning tools fire victims need.
Revocable Living Trusts
Avoid probate, maintain privacy, and ensure smooth asset transfer while maintaining full control during your lifetime.
Asset Protection Trusts
Shield your recovery from creditors, lawsuits, and predators while maintaining beneficial access to your assets.
Wills & Pour-Over Wills
Comprehensive backup protection ensuring all assets are distributed according to your wishes.
Healthcare Directives
Advance healthcare directives and HIPAA releases ensuring your medical wishes are honored.
Financial Powers of Attorney
Durable powers for financial management during rebuilding or if you become incapacitated.
Guardian Nominations
Ensure your children are cared for by your chosen guardians with proper financial protections.
Fire Recovery Protection Strategies
Settlement Protection Planning
- Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts: Protect life insurance proceeds from estate taxes
- Qualified Personal Residence Trusts: Reduce estate taxes on rebuilt homes
- Charitable Remainder Trusts: Convert settlements to lifetime income with tax benefits
- Dynasty Trusts: Protect wealth for multiple generations
- Domestic Asset Protection Trusts: Maximum creditor protection in select states
Tax Minimization Strategies
- Settlement Structure Planning: Minimize taxes on large recoveries
- Qualified Settlement Funds: Defer taxation on lawsuit proceeds
- Like-Kind Exchanges: Defer gains on property replacements
- Opportunity Zone Investments: Defer and reduce capital gains
- Gift and Estate Tax Planning: Maximize tax-free transfers
Benefits of Proper Estate Planning After Fire Loss
Immediate Protection
Your insurance settlements and lawsuit recoveries are immediately protected from creditors, predators, and excessive taxation.
Tax Savings
Save thousands to millions in taxes through proper structuring of settlements and strategic estate planning.
Family Security
Ensure your family is protected during rebuilding and beyond, with clear instructions and financial safeguards.
Avoid Probate
Your family avoids costly, time-consuming probate proceedings when they're already dealing with trauma.
Legacy Protection
Even though you lost physical heirlooms, create a lasting legacy through proper planning and wealth preservation.
Our Estate Planning Process
Free Consultation
Discuss your fire recovery situation and estate planning needs
Asset Analysis
Review settlements, properties, and recovery expectations
Custom Strategy
Design a plan tailored to your specific situation and goals
Document Drafting
Prepare comprehensive estate planning documents
Review & Sign
Explain everything clearly and execute documents properly
Ongoing Support
Regular reviews and updates as your recovery progresses
Transparent, Compassionate Pricing
Special rates for fire victims. Payment plans available.
Essential Protection
- Revocable Living Trust
- Pour-Over Will
- Financial Power of Attorney
- Healthcare Directives
- HIPAA Authorizations
- Basic Tax Planning
Comprehensive Plan
- Everything in Essential
- Asset Protection Trust
- Advanced Tax Planning
- Minor's Trusts
- Settlement Structuring
- Annual Review Included
- Deed Transfers Included
Premium Protection
- Everything in Comprehensive
- Irrevocable Trusts
- Business Succession Planning
- Multi-State Planning
- Family Limited Partnerships
- Lifetime Support
- Emergency Updates
Fire Victim Discount: 20% off all packages. Payment plans with 0% interest available.
What Fire Victims Say
"After losing everything in the Camp Fire, we received a large settlement. The estate planning saved us over $300,000 in taxes and protected our children's future. Worth every penny."
"We lost all our documents in the Woolsey Fire. They helped us rebuild our entire estate plan and protected our recovery funds. The peace of mind is priceless."
"25 years of experience really shows. They understood our unique situation as fire victims and created a plan that protected our settlement while we rebuild."
Estate Planning FAQs for Fire Victims
Should I wait until after my settlement to do estate planning?
No! Planning before you receive large settlements allows for better tax planning and asset protection. We can update your plan as your situation evolves.
I lost all my documents in the fire. Can you help?
Absolutely. With 25+ years of experience, I regularly help fire victims recreate and improve their estate plans. We'll obtain necessary records and create new, better documents.
How does estate planning protect my fire settlement?
Proper trusts can protect settlements from creditors, lawsuits, and predators while minimizing taxes. This ensures your recovery money actually helps you rebuild.
What if I'm still in litigation with insurance or utilities?
We plan for expected recoveries and structure your estate to maximize protection when settlements arrive. Early planning provides the most options.
Do I need estate planning if I don't have much left?
Yes! You're likely to receive settlements, and everyone needs healthcare directives and powers of attorney. Plus, our fire victim discounts make it affordable.