Maribel Jimenez is a licensed attorney in both Mexico and the United States and is fully bilingual in English and Spanish. She has extensive experience advising international, bicultural, and multilingual families on estate planning, probate, and asset protection. Her approach combines legal expertise, clear communication, and cultural awareness to provide personalized solutions that give clients peace of mind and long-term security.

Estate planning is the process of organizing and legally documenting how your assets, property, and personal affairs will be managed during your lifetime and distributed after your passing or in the event of incapacity. It allows you to decide who inherits your assets, who cares for your children, and who makes decisions on your behalf, ensuring your wishes are honored and your loved ones are protected.

Estate planning gives you control, reduces stress for your loved ones, helps avoid unnecessary delays and costs, and provides clear instructions during difficult times. It also allows you to plan for incapacity and protect minor children.

Any adult who owns assets, has children, owns property, or wants their wishes respected should have an estate plan. Estate planning is not only for the wealthy or older individuals—it is important for adults of all ages.

Yes. While some documents can be created online, working with an attorney ensures your estate plan is legally valid, properly structured, and compliant with state law. An attorney can identify risks, customize your plan, and help avoid costly mistakes that generic documents often overlook.

No. Estate planning is essential for anyone who wants clarity, protection, and peace of mind—regardless of wealth. Even modest assets represent a meaningful legacy, and they deserve thoughtful planning too

The right choice depends on your goals, assets, and family situation. Trusts offer more control and probate avoidance, while wills may be sufficient for simpler situations. We guide you through this decision.

A Will is a legal document that outlines how your assets will be distributed after your death and allows you to name guardians for minor children. Wills must go through probate.

 Trust is a legal arrangement that allows assets to be managed during your lifetime and transferred after death, often avoiding probate and maintaining privacy.

Without an estate plan, state law determines how your assets are distributed and who makes decisions for you. This can lead to delays, higher costs, family conflict, and outcomes that may not reflect your wishes.

The first step is to schedule a Peace of Mind Planning Session (PMPS). This complimentary 30-minutes session allows us to understand your goals and explain your estate planning options.

The PMPS is a complimentary 30-minutes initial consultation for individuals who do not yet have a Trust or Will. It allows us to understand your goals, explain your options, and outline next steps. It does not include document review.

Yes. We offer both virtual meetings and in-person meetings to accommodate your schedule and preferences.

During the PMPS, the attorney will review your personal and family circumstances, answer general questions, explain your estate planning options, outline recommended next steps, and provide a quote for legal fees. Please note that this session does not include a review of existing documents.

Yes. The Peace of Mind Planning Session is completely complimentary for individuals who do not yet have a Trust or Will and carries no obligation to move forward.

In many cases, yes. A Trust can help avoid probate, provide privacy, and manage assets during incapacity—benefits a Will alone does not offer. The best option depends on your situation.

Yes. There are several types of trusts, including revocable trusts, irrevocable trusts, and special-purpose trusts. The appropriate type depends on your goals, assets, and family circumstances.

If you already have an estate plan, we recommend a Document Review and Update Session so the attorney can review your documents and determine whether they still reflect your wishes and comply with current law. This is a one-hour session. The fee is $450 USD.

This is a one-hour session where the attorney reviews your existing estate planning documents, identifies required updates, and provides recommendations. The fee is $450 USD.

Yes. Estate planning documents should be reviewed and updated after major life events or every 3–5 years.

This is a one-hour session where the attorney reviews your existing estate planning documents, identifies required updates, and provides recommendations. The fee is $450 USD.

You should include all assets you own, regardless of value. This includes real estate, bank accounts (even small balances), investment accounts, vehicles, businesses, and personal property. As attorney Maribel Jimenez often says: “Would you rather those $5 go to your loved ones so they can buy a coffee, or be lost in the system?” Proper planning ensures that nothing is overlooked and everything goes where you intend.

YES! Including your business in your estate plan is crucial. Proper planning helps ensure continuity, defines who will manage or inherit the business, and protects its value. Estate planning can also prevent disputes and interruptions that could negatively impact operations.

You need a Document Review and Update Session if you already have estate planning documents and want to review, update, or make changes to them.

Fees for updates or changes to existing documents are determined after a Document Review and Update Session, once the attorney has had the opportunity to review your current documents. The Document Review and Update Session is a one-hour meeting and is $450 USD.

You should consider creating your estate plan after major life events, such as turning 18, starting a business, getting married or divorced, welcoming a child, purchasing property, moving to a new state, or experiencing significant financial changes. You should also update your plan whenever your wishes change or if the individuals you previously named to act on your behalf are no longer the right choice for any reason.

The cost of estate planning varies depending on the complexity of your estate and the type of documents required. During your 30 minutes complimentary initial consultation, we review your situation, explain your options, discuss legal fees, and outline the recommended next steps. Most of our estate plans are offered at a flat fee. In certain cases—such as when international assets, foreign nationals, or advanced tax planning are involved—additional analysis is required.

Most estate planning matters are completed within 6–8 weeks, depending on complexity and client responsiveness.

Yes. Proper estate planning, particularly through trusts, can significantly reduce or avoid the probate process.

Every adult needs an estate plan to prevent leaving a complicated or even contentious situation for their family. It ensures your wishes are known and legally respected, regardless of your age, wealth, or family structure.

Our process is straightforward and tailored to fit your life, whether you're establishing a simple will or setting up a trust. We guide you through each step to make it as simple as possible.

Yes, we offer a complimentary call to answer basic questions before you commit to a full Planning Session, although we save fee discussions for that in-depth meeting.

We serve a limited number of clients monthly, focusing on those who value trust, transparency, and a lasting advisory relationship for building their legacy.

Probate is a court-supervised process for settling an estate. It can be lengthy and costly, especially in California. Proper estate planning can help avoid it.

To officially appoint guardians for your children, you can designate your choices in a Will or a Pour-Over Will that complements your Revocable Living Trust. Neglecting to nominate guardians leaves the decision in the hands of a judge and may lead to family disputes over custody. Our firm not only assists in nominating long-term guardians but also in appointing short-term guardians who can immediately take care of your children while permanent guardians are being confirmed. Furthermore, we offer the option to "confidentially exclude" any individuals you would definitively not want as guardians for your children, ensuring your exact wishes are followed.

While online services offer basic document preparation, they lack personalized legal advice and customization. If you value tailored advice and ongoing support, consider working with an attorney.