Thinking in the worst case scenario is often uncomfortable for California residents, but to ensure financial stability and that wishes are carried out, in the event of incapacitation, it is necessary. One method that can be beneficial to protecting one's property and...
Focused And Personalized Attention Concerning Your Estate Planning Needs
Michael A. Sawamura, Attorney at Law
Protecting Californian children with a trust
While it might be an uncomfortable subject for people in Sacramento to broach, the realities of life are that death is inevitable. With that in mind, people with children need to be aware of the various options that are available when it comes to estate planning. This...
California judge issues key ruling in vitamin tycoon estate fight
When a parent of adult children remarries, it often creates friction between the children from the former marriage and the new spouse. When the parent dies, that friction can boil over into bitter disputes over the parent's estate. This appears to be what has happened...
What are the critical documents in a California estate plan?
A California estate plan is set out in a series of key documents prepared before one's death. We discussed one of these documents, the durable power of attorney, in last week's post.Beneficiary designation forms are another important part of an estate plan, and often...
A durable power of attorney can provide real peace of mind
For most Californians, estate planning means making plans for the disposition of one's property after death. While this is usually the most important aspect of estate planning, it is far from the only one. Many people, especially as they get older, face the...
Trustees have broad powers under California law
In California, trusts have long been a favored means of estate planning. Trusts provide great flexibility can help avoid probate and often significant tax advantages.A trust is created by a person known as the trustor or settlor, who places property in the trust and...
David Bowie’s will shows what CA estate planning can do
The death of rock legend David Bowie at the age of 69 on January 10 came as a shock to many music fans in Northern California. Fortunately for his loved ones, Bowie had prepared an estate plan and executed a will in 2004.Bowie left an estate estimated to be worth...
Why would you want to avoid the probate process?
An estate plan is a written instrument used by individuals in California and elsewhere to pass their assets and property to their heirs and beneficiaries. In order for these assets to be transferred after the person's death, the probate process will need to be...
No contest clause at issue in singer James Brown’s will
Many California music fans remember singer James Brown, the "Godfather of Soul," who died nine years ago. Unfortunately, litigation over his estate remains ongoing. Recently, four of Brown's six children reached a settlement agreement, which has been submitted to a...
How does divorce impact wills drafted during marriage?
No matter the age of a couple, it is not uncommon to draft a will and establish an estate plan at some point during a marriage. Major decisions are made in these legal documents, and they can be very beneficial at delivering the wishes of the spouses at incapacitation...