People in California may have seen a recent article about the issues involved in leaving an IRA to a person other than a spouse. For many people, an IRA or other retirement account is among their largest and most valuable assets, so it makes sense that people would...
Focused And Personalized Attention Concerning Your Estate Planning Needs
Michael A. Sawamura, Attorney at Law
What property isn’t covered in a will?
People in California know that a will is probably the single most important estate planning document that every person should have. That being said, there are certain kinds of property that a will simply cannot cover for various reasons. For that reason it's important...
Basic things to think about when setting up an estate plan
People in California who want to be able to leave a lasting legacy after their death need to have an estate plan. Whether a person has a substantial estate or only a few financial resources, having an estate plan, including a will, trusts, and other necessary legal...
What to expect when writing a living will
People in California have a right to live their lives how they want and on their own terms, which is why the thought of being incapacitated and unable to make decisions is such a scary proposition for many people. A person who is incapacitated or not of sound mind due...
What an appointed attorney-in-fact can and must do
Residents in California know that it's always a good idea to have a power of attorney, or POA, specifically provided in one's estate plan documents. It is crucial for people to have a designated representative appointed in advance, in case a person becomes...
What a trust can do for you
California residents may have seen the recent blog post regarding the California statutory will, which is the most basic, fill-in-the-blanks will that a person with few estate planning needs can use. While this will could actually be useful in a pinch, it provides...
Toyota magnate’s family fights over parents’ will
People in California who follow business news may have heard about an interesting legal battle that is brewing in Miami, Florida between five siblings and heirs to the massive estate of multimillionaire Gerald Bean. After Bean died in 2011, the majority of his assets...
What is a California statutory will?
Every year in California, thousands of people die without a will. This may be shocking to people who understand how important it is to have the proper estate planning documents in place. Without a will this person has no ability to direct how his or her financial...
Who decides the value of property in a trust or estate?
People in California who own substantial property and assets might have some questions about what their real and tangible property is worth. In a volatile real estate market, significant fluctuations in property value can be common, so an updated appraisal of the...
Repairing a trust may be a better alternative to starting over
When something is broken, the solution most people in California think of is fixing it. When a car breaks down, most people take it to the auto shop. When an appliance stops running, most people call a professional to come take a closer look. Very rarely is the best...