- About
About USC Gould
USC Gould is a top-ranked law school with a 120-year history and reputation for academic excellence. We are located on the beautiful 228-acre USC University Park Campus, just south of downtown Los Angeles.
- Academics
Academics
Learn about our interdisciplinary curriculum, experiential learning opportunities and specialized areas.
Student Quick Links:
- Admissions
Admissions
USC Gould helps prepare you for a stellar legal career. You can pursue a JD degree, one of our numerous graduate and international offerings, or an online degree or certificate.
- Students
Students
Participate in an unparalleled learning experience with diversity of people and thought. Get involved in the law school community and participate in activities that enhance your studies.
Student Quick Links:
- Careers
Careers
We work closely with students, graduates and employers to support successful career goals and outcomes. Our overall placement rate is consistently strong, with 94 percent of our JD class employed within 10 months after graduation.
- Faculty
Faculty
Our faculty is distinguished for its scholarship, as well as for its commitment to teaching. Our 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio creates an intimate and collegial learning environment.
- Alumni and Giving
- Admissions

“Do I have an estate?” and other questions to ask an estate planning attorney – Part 1
USC Gould School of Law
- ABOUT USC GOULD
- A MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN
- + HISTORY OF USC GOULD
- LAW, RACE AND EQUITY
- + NEWS
- + EVENTS
- BOARD OF COUNCILORS
- CONSUMER INFORMATION (ABA REQUIRED DISCLOSURES)
- VISIT US
- SOCIAL MEDIA
- + CONTACT US
Monday, June 24, 2019
“Do I have an estate?” and Other Questions to Ask an Estate Planning Attorney – Part 1
By Kendra Hampton
University of Southern California Gould School of Law
![]() |
Kendra Hampton, Lecturer in Law |
Never be afraid to ask an estate planning attorney, “What is estate planning?” If you are not sure, you are not alone.
This article covers many of those questions you are too shy to ask, but that you should ask anyway. How an attorney answers your questions will shed light on important qualities, including the attorney’s knowledge, experience and demeanor.
What is estate planning?
Estate planning is the process of meeting with an attorney who creates legal documents that clearly communicate and document your end-of-life wishes, including what happens if you become incapacitated and are unable to make medical or financial decisions for yourself. Estate planning is a good idea for every adult, not only the wealthy or elderly. Though not all estate plans are the same, the most common documents are:
- Will: Identify who will receive your assets (your beneficiaries), select guardians for your minor children, and name an executor to ensure your final wishes are carried out.
- Revocable Trust: Transfer your assets to your designated beneficiaries when you pass away while avoiding the probate process. You can change or cancel a revocable trust during your lifetime, and you can put assets into or take assets out of the name of the trust at any time.
- Advanced Health Care Directive: Select a person or persons (“agent”) to make health care and medical treatment decisions for you if you become incapacitated and cannot make decisions for yourself. You can also specify the type of medical treatment you want under specific circumstances (ex. artificial life support, organ donation, tube feeding).
- Financial Power of Attorney: Select a person or persons (“agent”) to manage your financial or legal affairs if you become incapacitated and cannot make decisions for yourself. It not only gives the agent power over your finances, but can also include specific directions on how you would want your finances to be handled.
What is an estate?
An estate is any property or assets you own at the time of your death, including:
- real property (ex. homes, vacant land)
- personal property (ex. cars, jewelry, art)
- bank accounts
- securities (ex. stocks, bonds)
- life insurance policies
- retirement plans
- business interests
How does estate planning help me?
A well-designed plan protects you and your family during your incapacity and after your death, and can achieve the following:
- Name someone to administer your estate after you die
- Identify who you wish to receive your assets after you die
- Appoint a guardian to care for any minor children
- Avoid the lengthy and costly probate process
- Identify someone to make financial or medical decisions for you in the event that an illness or injury results in your incapacity
- Direct any type of life-prolonging medical care
- Express funeral and other end-of-life wishes, and how related expenses should be paid
- Minimize any applicable taxes
About the Author:
Kendra Hampton, who has her own law practice focused on estate planning and probate, teaches online Contract Drafting & Strategy for USC Gould School of Law’s LLM and MSL programs.
Read More
THE LATEST NEWS. REDEFINED.

USC Gould, Dornsife Department of Economics launch joint degree in innovation economics, law and regulation
May 2, 2023


Student Spotlight: Stephanie Moran (MDR Class of 2024)
April 25, 2023