Estate Planning Attorney in Fresno and Clovis, CA
Protect Your Family’s Future with Fresno’s Trusted Estate Planning Lawyers
Lawvex is a California estate planning law firm with a local office in Clovis, serving families across Fresno, Clovis, and the entire Central Valley. Our attorneys have completed over 6,400 estate plans and create nearly 400 new plans every year. We focus exclusively on estate planning, trust administration, and probate, so your family gets the depth of experience that general practice firms cannot match.
Call (888) 308-7003 to schedule your free consultation, or contact us online to get started.
Why Fresno and Clovis Families Choose Lawvex
Choosing an estate planning attorney is one of the most important decisions you will make for your family. Here is what sets Lawvex apart from other Fresno estate planning firms:
- Deep Specialization: We handle estate planning, trust administration, and probate exclusively. We are not generalists. According to the American Bar Association, specialists resolve estate matters 40% faster than general practice attorneys.
- Transparent Fixed Fees: No hourly billing surprises. Our asset-based fee structure is published upfront, so you know exactly what your estate plan will cost before you commit.
- Proven Track Record: Over 6,400 estate plans completed. Law Firm 500 Honoree ranked #96 among the fastest-growing law firms in the U.S. Winner of Best of Central California three consecutive years (2022-2024).
- Local Presence, Statewide Reach: Our Clovis office at 2565 Alluvial Ave., Suite 202, serves Fresno County in person. We also offer virtual consultations for clients throughout California.
- Modern Convenience: Virtual plan design meetings, online document hosting, and a technology-forward approach that saves you time without sacrificing quality.
Estate Planning Services We Offer in Fresno
Every family’s situation is different. Lawvex offers comprehensive estate planning services tailored to your specific needs and asset levels.
Revocable Living Trusts
A revocable living trust allows you to maintain control of your assets during your lifetime and transfer them to your beneficiaries without going through California probate. For Fresno homeowners, avoiding probate can save your family tens of thousands of dollars in court fees and months of delays. California probate fees on a $1 million estate can exceed $46,000 in statutory fees alone, according to California Probate Code Section 10810.
Wills and Pour-Over Wills
A will is the foundation of any estate plan. Our attorneys draft wills that work alongside your trust to capture any assets not yet transferred, making sure nothing falls through the cracks.
Powers of Attorney and Advance Health Care Directives
These documents name someone you trust to make financial and medical decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated. Without them, your family may need to petition a Fresno County court for conservatorship, a process that can cost $5,000 or more and take months to resolve.
Estate Tax Planning
California does not currently have a state estate tax, but federal estate taxes apply to estates exceeding $13.61 million (2024 threshold). For high-net-worth Fresno families, our attorneys use advanced strategies including irrevocable trusts, charitable giving, and generation-skipping trusts to minimize tax exposure.
Trust Administration
When a loved one passes away, the successor trustee must manage and distribute trust assets according to the trust terms. Our Clovis-based team guides trustees through every step, from notifying beneficiaries to filing tax returns and distributing property.
Probate
If a family member passed away without a trust, or if assets were not properly funded into an existing trust, probate may be required. Our probate attorneys handle cases in Fresno County Superior Court and can represent you remotely in most California counties.
How Estate Planning Works with Lawvex
We have streamlined the estate planning process so you can complete your plan efficiently:
- Free Initial Consultation: Speak with our Client Coordinator to discuss your goals and determine which program fits your needs. Call (888) 308-7003 or book online.
- Virtual Plan Design Meeting: Meet with one of our estate planning attorneys via video conference. We review your assets, family situation, and wishes to design a customized plan.
- Attorney Draft Review: Your attorney prepares your documents and walks you through every detail in a virtual review session. We use visual aids to make sure you understand how your plan works.
- In-Office Signing: Visit our Clovis office to sign your documents with a notary. Your estate plan is legally binding and immediately effective.
- Secure Document Hosting: Your documents are stored securely online so you and your designated contacts can access them anytime.
Estate Planning Programs and Pricing
Lawvex offers three estate planning programs designed to match different estate sizes and levels of complexity:
Family Foundations Planning
Ideal for most Fresno families with estates under $1 million in total assets. Includes a revocable living trust, pour-over wills, advance health care directives, durable powers of attorney, and deed transfers. All at a published fixed fee with no hidden costs.
Family Wealth Planning
Designed for families with assets between $1 million and $5 million. Includes everything in Family Foundations plus expanded trust funding, additional property transfers, and a dedicated strategy session with a senior attorney.
Plan By Design
For complex estates, business owners, and blended families. Fully customized estate planning with advanced strategies including irrevocable trusts, special needs trusts, business succession planning, and charitable giving structures.
Schedule your free consultation to find out which program is right for your family.
Serving Fresno, Clovis, and the Central Valley
Our Clovis office is conveniently located for families throughout the greater Fresno area. We regularly serve clients in:
- Fresno
- Clovis
- Madera
- Sanger
- Selma
- Reedley
- Kingsburg
- Visalia
- Hanford
- Kerman
We also provide virtual estate planning services to clients throughout California, so distance is never a barrier to protecting your family.
Clovis Office Location
Lawvex
2565 Alluvial Ave., Suite 202
Clovis, CA 93611
(888) 308-7003
info@lawvex.com
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Driving Directions from Fresno
From downtown Fresno, take CA-168 east toward Clovis. Take the Clovis Avenue exit and head south. Turn right (west) onto Alluvial Avenue. Our office is at 2565 Alluvial Ave., Suite 202, on the right side.
Meet the Lawvex Team
Our attorneys bring decades of combined experience focused entirely on estate planning and inheritance law:
- Gary L. Winter, Founder and CEO: 19+ years of experience in estate, business, and real estate law. Licensed real estate broker and appraiser. Adjunct Professor of Legal Technology at San Joaquin College of Law. Board member of the Clovis Chamber of Commerce and Clovis Way of Life Foundation.
- Catarina Benitez: President of the Fresno County Bar Association. Brings deep local connections and expertise to every client interaction.
Our partner attorneys average 12 to 25+ years in practice, with many having experience at firms with 50 to 100+ lawyers before joining Lawvex.
Frequently Asked Questions About Estate Planning in Fresno
How much does estate planning cost in Fresno, CA?
Lawvex uses a transparent, fixed-fee pricing structure based on your total asset value. Most Fresno families with estates under $1 million can complete a comprehensive estate plan through our Family Foundations program at a published price. There are no hourly billing surprises and no hidden fees. View our programs and pricing.
Do I need a trust if I own a home in Fresno?
Yes, a revocable living trust is strongly recommended for Fresno homeowners. Without a trust, your home will go through California probate, which can take 12 to 18 months and cost your family thousands of dollars in court and attorney fees. A trust allows your property to transfer directly to your beneficiaries without court involvement.
What happens if I die without an estate plan in California?
If you die without a will or trust in California, state intestacy laws determine how your assets are distributed. Your estate goes through probate, and the court decides who inherits your property based on a statutory formula. This may not reflect your actual wishes, and the process can be expensive and time-consuming for your family.
Can I do estate planning virtually in Fresno?
Yes. Lawvex has offered virtual estate planning services since 2009. You can complete your plan design meeting and document review entirely via video conference. Only the final signing requires an in-person visit to our Clovis office for notarization.
How often should I update my estate plan?
You should review your estate plan every 3 to 5 years, or whenever a major life event occurs, such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, a significant change in assets, or a move to a different state. Fresno families experiencing rapid home value appreciation should review their plans more frequently to ensure their trust properly accounts for current property values.
What is the difference between a will and a trust?
A will goes into effect only after you die and must go through probate. A revocable living trust takes effect as soon as you create it, allows you to manage your assets during your lifetime, and transfers property to your beneficiaries without probate. For most California homeowners, a trust-based plan provides better protection and lower costs for your family.
Ready to protect your family? Call (888) 308-7003 or schedule your free consultation online today.