Estate Planning

For those that have significant wealth and blended families, drafting estate planning documents is especially important if the person wants to avoid probate and disagreements among their family members after death. These circumstances apply to many people in...

For those in California who understand how complicated and contentious probate can be, the chance to avoid it should be considered. When estate planning, the person should also be aware of the options in avoiding probate. An example of when it is possible to avoid...

Estate planning in California should be thought of as a method of organizing one's life for the future when he or she is no longer there. It is a positive step for the heirs whether there is a substantial estate or one of more modest means and making sure that it is...

While Californians are advised to take the necessary steps to have a coherent and well-organized estate plan, the basics are sometimes lost on them. The most foundational matter after moving forward with the document itself and having all the "I's" dotted and the...

Preparing an estate plan that takes care of your loved ones extends beyond your property and your wealth. It also includes debt management. A recent study by Experian found an average consumer debt of almost $62,000 per individual. That’s a lot of money and, after...

Many people in California view an estate plan as little more than a directive about how to divide and distribute their assets after they die. While this sentiment is correct, it does not account for important matters such as minimizing estate and gift taxes or...

Most people in California don't have to be concerned about estate taxes when they prepare an estate plan. The federal estate tax only applies to estates that are worth more than $5,490,000. Married couples can effectively combine their estate tax exemptions, meaning...

Some readers may remember the probate fight involving former model Anna Nicole Smith and the estate of her deceased husband, Texas billionaire J. Howard Marshall. Smith married Marshall in 1994 when she was 26 and he was 89. When he died the following year, Smith was...

Many Americans welcome the new year with thoughts and expectations of good health, wealth and success. It is also important during these times to not just consider the immediate future, but long-term goals as well. When do you want to retire? Will you be ready to...

Although our current president-elect campaigned on promises to fight for blue-collar workers, one of his major policy proposals will likely benefit only a few very wealthy individuals. The repeal of the combined federal gift and estate tax is a cornerstone of the...