There are a number of legal vehicles that you can use to better position your estate for distribution upon your passing. One effective way to save money on taxes and increase an estate's income is to create a charitable trust. This type of trust isn't tax exempt and...
Focused And Personalized Attention Concerning Your Estate Planning Needs
Michael A. Sawamura, Attorney at Law
Don’t forget about “soft” estate planning
We spend a lot of time on this blog discussing what many consider to be the biggest parts of estate planning. This includes how to utilize wills, trusts and other legal vehicles to protect estate assets and ensure that they are distributed according to an individual's...
Estate planning when a small business is involved
Californians who have minimal assets may find the estate planning process to be pretty straightforward and simple. Those who have significant assets, though, may find the matter much more complicated. This can be especially true for those who own a business. Deciding...
The value of holistic and competent estate planning
Throughout life, individuals accumulate wealth in hopes of being able to meet their own needs and desires. If they are lucky, they are able to accomplish this feat and help out others in the process. However, once you pass away, your assets mean nothing to you....
Aretha Franklin’s passing shows importance of estate planning
It seems like we were just talking about the passing of pop icon Prince. This music legend left behind millions in assets, some of which were very hard to value, spurring a contentious fight as his estate passed through probate court.Now the estate of another music...
Using a will to name a guardian for a minor child
Most Californians think of estate planning as something that is done as they grow older and prepare for the distribution of assets upon their own death. While this is true in many instances, estate planning should actually occur at a much younger age and be modified...
Estate planning, long-term care and home healthcare
A few weeks ago on the blog we discussed the importance of Medicaid planning when it comes to planning for the potential need for long-term care. Many Californians neglect to address this issue because they simply don't think that they will need long-term care....
Medicaid and the special needs trust
When deciding how you want to distribute your assets upon your passing, you can make the process as simple or as complex as you wish. The key is to utilizing whatever tools and processes make your vision of the future come true. For many Californians, this means...
Medicaid and the special needs trust
Estate planning is often viewed as the process through which a plan is devised to address property distribution upon one's death. While this certainly makes up a large portion of estate planning, dealing with assets is not the only matter that needs to be addressed....
The “Old Man” from “Pawn Stars” leaves child out of will
The purpose of an estate plan is to ensure that property is dispersed in accordance with one's wishes upon death. Most of the time this means that estate property is left to spouses and children, oftentimes with an even split when multiple individuals are involved....