Estate Planning for Families Our California Estate Planning Attorney works with families to ensure that children are protected in the event of death or incapacity.  There are numerous reasons why individuals with minor children should engage in estate planning. A few of these are:   1.     Ensuring that you, not Child Protective Services, chooses who will care for your minor children in the event of incapacity (a will is not enough!);   2.     Ensuring that you, rather than the Probate Court, decides who will be your children's guardian in the event of your death;    3.     Distributing your estate according to your wishes and desires, rather than according to the California Probate Code’s default rules;   4.     Using the flexibility of will drafting techniques to provide for children in the event of divorce, death of one spouse, or re-marriage.        5.     Reducing conflict and uncertainty among your children and relatives during their time of grieving.