Estate Planning

As you do your estate planning, some of it seems fairly straightforward. If you have financial accounts, you can divide them between your children. If you have real estate, you can leave it to all of them or sell it and split the money up between them. But what about...

When making your estate plans, it is important to anticipate the uncertainties of life. A sudden illness or an accident can leave you incapacitated and unable to make decisions surrounding your finances or health care. In such a case, you need someone known as an...

You probably felt honored when a friend or family member asked you to perform estate executor duties after their death. Hopefully, you gave the matter considerable thought before agreeing to take on this critical role. A position as an estate executor comes with many...

For many people living in California, their house is their most valuable property. It has both intense sentimental value and also more financial value than any other assets in their names. If your home represents a significant portion of your personal wealth, then it...

The harsh reality is that your adult children probably don’t want the vast majority of your keepsakes. Maybe they’re minimalists, or maybe they have a house full of their own stuff – or maybe their tastes just drastically differ from yours. However, Mom’s diamond...

No matter what age you are, it’s a good idea to consider the value of estate planning. Estate planning generally refers to a set of legally binding documents that outline your financial, medical and legal preferences in the event that you are no longer able to make...

Thinking about your estate plan might bring up thoughts of your will and trusts. But, these are only some of the things you need to include when you create the plan. You also have to consider other points that might have a direct impact on your heirs and...

You inherited your china from your great aunt and have brought out those dishes on special occasions for years. Given that you have maintained them in pristine condition, you might dream about leaving them to a child or grandchild who will cherish them the way you...

For most people, a pet is a valued family member. One thing that you need to remember is that your pets can’t take care of themselves. If something happens to you, it’s imperative that you have plans for them. Pets whose owners didn’t plan for their care often end up...

The purpose of your estate plan is to prepare for the expected (i.e., your passing). However, it has another use – planning for the unexpected. One unexpected situation some people face in life is becoming incapacitated. Incapacity planning may be something you...