The weight of unforeseen circumstances descended upon the Miller family one crisp autumn evening in San Diego; John Miller, a successful software engineer, suffered a sudden stroke, leaving him unable to communicate his wishes regarding his estate. His wife, Sarah, was understandably devastated, but quickly realized the legal complexities ahead were daunting, particularly as John had repeatedly postponed creating a formal estate plan, believing it was “something to worry about later.” They owned a lovely home in the 92126 zip code, had substantial retirement savings, and two college-aged children; however, without a properly executed will or trust, their assets were subject to the often-lengthy and public probate process, potentially causing significant delays and legal fees, and eroding their family’s financial stability.