We've set it on this blog before, but it is worth saying again. There is a lot at stake in estate planning.An estate plan can completely reshape the lives of heirs and beneficiaries for the better, or it can make significant contributions to charitable organizations...
Trusts
The life of a trust
Trusts are powerful estate planning tools that Californians can utilize to help bring their vision of the future into reality. In order to successfully do so, though, they must understand how trusts work and how to utilize them to their advantage.This is especially...
Utilize trusts to protect wealth for your children
A common misconception amongst Californians is that estate planning is reserved for those who have reached the later stages of their lives. Although older individuals should ensure that their estate plans are suited to their wishes, younger people can and should...
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...
A few ways estate planning can allow one to avoid probate
A lot of estate planning is about avoiding the probate process. Probate is a court process through which an estate is handled after an individual's death. Through probate, an executor can be appointed for the purpose of identifying heirs and beneficiaries, paying off...
Utilizing trusts to care for children with special needs
Raising children can be a challenging endeavor. This is especially true when a child has special needs. Depending on the condition at hand, a child with special needs may require extensive medical care and social support. These needs can be long-term in nature, which...
Important trust basics Sacramento residents need to know
Understanding the basics of trusts as estate planning tools can be crucial for California residents. Trusts are essentially agreements that dictate how assets will be managed and distributed to named beneficiaries. The creator, or grantor, of a trust can name a...
Estate planning: consider utilizing accounts in trust
We've spent quite a bit of time on this blog discussing various types of trusts. These estate planning vehicles can serve an important purpose. They can allow an individual to leave assets to others with certain restrictions applied. There are oftentimes tax...
What is a blind trust?
There are a variety of trusts that can be utilized to fulfill the needs of an estate planner. Previous posts here have discussed a number of options, including irrevocable trusts in general, charitable trusts and generation-skipping trusts. There is another option: a...