Wills, trusts, and the planning that keeps your family out of court — and keeps what you've built where you want it to go. Serving Kings and Tulare County for over 20 years.
Jonette Montgomery has spent more than 20 years helping Valley families make sense of estate planning — the wills, trusts, and documents that most people know they need but keep putting off. She grew up in the Central Valley, with deep roots in the Portuguese farm community that has shaped this region for generations, and she understands what's actually at stake when a family sits down to plan for the future.
When you work with this firm, you work directly with Jonette. There's no associate who handles your file, no hand-off after the first meeting. She explains every document in plain English — what it does, why it matters, and what happens if you don't have it — so you leave understanding your plan, not just signing it.
She works with clients in Hanford, Corcoran, Lemoore, Avenal, Tulare, and throughout Kings and Tulare County. If you've been putting this off, you're not alone — and there's no better time to get it done than now, while you can still make every decision on your own terms.
Wills, living trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives — the documents that tell the world what you want, and give someone you trust the legal authority to act when you can't. Whether you're starting from scratch, have kids who just turned 18, or have a plan that's older than your grandchildren, we'll make sure it actually does what you think it does.
Learn moreA parent passed and named you as trustee. That comes with real legal responsibilities — even if the trust document never made them clear. We guide trustees through the required notices, accountings, and distributions step by step, protecting you from personal liability and keeping siblings on the same page when possible.
Learn moreWhen someone passes without a trust — or the trust didn't cover everything — the estate often goes through probate, a court-supervised process for settling debts and transferring property. It takes time, but it doesn't have to be overwhelming. We handle the filings, the timelines, and the family conversations that come with it.
Learn moreSometimes families can't agree — about a will's validity, a trustee's conduct, or how assets should be distributed. Litigation is always a last resort, and we'll tell you honestly whether it's your best path forward. But when it is the right move, we're prepared and ready to see it through.
Learn moreWe work with Valley families at every stage — from first-time planners to trustees navigating a loss. No situation is too complicated, and no question is too basic.
Jonette writes these to help you understand your options before you ever pick up the phone — because an informed family makes better decisions.
A long-time farmer dies without a will. Two weeks before, he remarried someone he met in Vegas. Under California's intestate succession rules, here's who actually inherits the farm — and it's almost certainly not who he would have chosen.
Read articleThe moment your child turns 18, you legally lose access to their medical and financial decisions — even if you're paying every bill. A simple power of attorney fixes it. Most families don't know this until they need it.
Read articleNot everyone needs a trust. If you don't own real estate and your accounts have named beneficiaries, a simple will (or sometimes nothing at all) may be enough. Here's how to tell — without paying for documents you don't need.
Read articleMore articles coming soon.
The fastest way to reach us is by phone. If it's after hours or you'd rather write, the form works too — Jonette or our paralegal will get back to you within one business day.
