This project was made possible by the generous support of
Community Health in Action (CHIA) Coalition and Public Health Advocates.
Note: The Family Protection Toolkit (FPT) may also serve as a family estate planning guide. The FPT provides general information, but it cannot replace personalized legal advice from a licensed attorney who understands your specific situation. All FPT photographs are owned by Tuyen Tran and use is only provided by permission. © Copyright, 2026; UC Davis Community and Labor Center; Colibri Law and Policy, Inc. All rights reserved.
Where Do I Start? What's in the Toolkit?
Family Protection Toolkit
Table of Contents
Section 1: Introduction
Section 2: Essential Estate Planning Documents
Section 3: Selecting the Right People for Key (Fiduciary) Roles
Section 4: Guardian Options
Section 5: Planning Process
Section 6: Protecting Your Children
Section 7: Healthcare Decision Making
Section 8: Further Financial Planning
Section 9: Pet Planning
Section 10: Special Considerations for Immigrant Families
Section 11: Reviewing and Updating Your Plan
Section 12: Frequently Asked Questions
Section 13: Attachments
Section 14: Sample Templates
Section 1: Introduction
Estate planning is not just for the wealthy or elderly, it is an essential step for any family who wants to ensure their children or loved ones are cared for by people they trust, make their healthcare wishes known, protect their assets and property, and reduce stress and conflict for loved ones during difficult times. This toolkit provides families with information on creating an estate plan that will convey their wishes and provide peace of mind.
Unexpected events can happen at any time, and having a plan in place ensures your wishes are known and respected and your family will be protected.
Make a Plan for Your Family Now
Without an estate plan, your estate will go through probate court, which may not align with your actual wishes. The probate court will:
- Decide how your property is distributed
- Determine who will manage your affairs
- Appoint guardians for your minor children
- Create lengthy court proceedings and unnecessary expenses
Timeline: Straightforward estates take 6-9 months; complex estates or those with federal estate taxes can take 12-18 months or longer.
Bottom Line: By having an estate plan, YOU have control over critical decisions and YOU have created a clear roadmap that will reduce stress during difficult times.
How to Use the Family Protection Toolkit
- Learn basic estate planning concepts
- Understand your available options
- Use the attached checklists in Section 13 that are relevant to your needs to organize your planning process
- When are you are prepared to formalize your decisions, consult a qualified estate planning attorney to draft the appropriate legal documents.
