On its face, estate planning can seem relatively easy, especially for those who just want to leave their assets to their spouse or children. For these individuals, a simple will may suffice to meet their needs, but even these documents can be fraught with legal...
Focused And Personalized Attention Concerning Your Estate Planning Needs
Michael A. Sawamura, Attorney at Law
Proposed law may change how IRAs are handled in estate plans
For many Californians, their retirement accounts make up a significant part of their estate. Pension plans, 401(k)s, and IRAs are some of the major accounts. When properly addressed in an estate plan, Californians can rest assured that their assets will pass into the...
A primer on the duties of the trustee
Laying out an estate plan is no easy feat. The challenges that often arise can come up in a variety of contexts, too. Those with blended families, young children, and a desire for asset distribution that is anything other than evenly divided amongst loved ones need to...
Estate planning for children with special needs
Many California parents worry about their children's futures. This can be especially true when a child has special needs. These children often need additional support that is both emotional and financial in nature.It can be difficult to think about a future where...
The importance of estate planning for intellectual property
Most people who think of estate planning only consider the transfer of tangible property upon death. Others may think about how debts play into the distribution of an estate, too. Yet, there are a whole host of other types of property that can carry tremendous value....
Aretha Franklin’s handwritten wills cause problems
Famed singer Aretha Franklin is well-known for her vocal work while with Motown Records. Her music has inspired a generation, and it continues to be heard across the world. While her talents continue to be celebrated long after her death, Franklin is also well-known...
Single parents can benefit from holistic estate planning
The truth is that estate planning can be beneficial for anyone. Still, many Californians mistakenly think that estate planning is reserved for those with massive amounts of wealth and large families. In order to see its benefits, one just needs to be able to look...
Claims against mental capacity can threaten a will’s validity
A solid estate plan is one that is thorough and updated over time. Yet, with each legal document executed and modification made comes scrutiny. This can be especially true when changes to an estate plan are substantially different from what the plan previously...
The dangers of self-help estate planning
Self-help resources abound in our technological age. They can help you learn to do just about anything, from build a house to draw cartoons. Estate planning is no exception. Many online businesses offer cheap services to help individuals create wills, trusts, and...
Estate planning for blended families
There can be a lot to deal with when two California families combine into one. This is often seen in the context of blended families when one individual with children marries another individual who is not the children's parent. In some instances, each spouse has...