When you need to grant someone the authority to act as your agent and make decisions for you, a power of attorney can meet your needs. Contrary to common belief, you have more than one type of this legal instrument to choose from in California. The right one (or ones)...
The chances are not everyone may be happy with every decision you make in your estate plan. And this is something you may need to accept. Despite using a reliable criterion and considering crucial factors, some beneficiaries may find a reason to contest your will....
Estate planning can be a challenging task for any family. However, the process becomes more complex when a family member has special needs. In California, families must consider the unique needs of their loved ones with special needs when planning for their estates. ...
A pour-over will is a handy estate planning tool when used with a living trust. It allows you, the trust maker, to address undesignated property that you might have left out of your regular will. For example, say that you forgot to include your granddad’s impressive...
You’ve worked hard for many years to pass on a decent inheritance to your children. They are getting older now and someday the time will come when they will inherit significant assets. You trust your children completely but want to make sure that they are prepared for...
One of the compelling reasons why people set up estate plans is to protect their assets and preserve their legacies. But what if you are worried about some of your beneficiaries’ abilities to prudently manage their inheritance? If you are concerned about your...
If you are 18 years of age or older, you have likely heard that you need to make a will and that you need to review it at least once each year to make sure that it is updated. But… do you really? If you’re a younger adult, you may not own many assets and you may not...
Estate planning is one of the crucial things to do in life. You need to make reasonable judgments to protect your wishes and loved ones. Thus, excellent decision-making skills are necessary when creating all documents of an estate plan. Nonetheless, this can be...
A testamentary trust is created in a person's will and takes effect upon death. It is a legal arrangement that allows you to control how your assets are distributed after you pass away. While a testamentary trust can be a great estate planning tool, it may not be the...
When you run your own business, it’s easy for the weeks, months and even years to pass you by in an instant. You can feel like you’re always up against the clock. While this may be great for your business, it can mean that you don’t take the opportunity to plan for...