Making sure that your loved ones don’t have to spend a lot of money on estate taxes is important if you have a high-value estate. There are several things that you have to consider when you’re trying to do this. You make decisions that propel your wishes forward. This...
If you'd like to choose an agent to help you make medical decisions or to make them on your behalf when you can't do so, you can do this with a medical power of attorney. This can give someone who otherwise wouldn't be able to make these decisions the ability to act...
The chances are good that your children will be the main beneficiaries of your estate when you die, especially if you have since gotten divorced or your spouse has already died. Your children may already have a vague idea about how you want to split your assets and...
Your individual retirement account (IRA) is primarily intended to provide you with a regular source of income in addition to Social Security. To designate whom you want to receive whatever is left when you pass away, you need to list them as beneficiaries on your IRA...
A living trust, just like a will, is an important estate planning tool that lets you spell out who will get your assets when you pass on. A living trust allows you to “put assets” into it. You can put different types of assets such as bank accounts and stocks in your...
Having an estate plan that reflects your wishes is great. But having an estate plan that will not be the subject of disputes is much better. When you take time to create an estate plan, one of the things you need to consider is discussing your wishes as outlined in...
In the 21st century, many of us live large portions of our life online. We play on the Internet, we work with it and we use it for financial matters. Most Sacramento residents have accumulated a few digital assets, some worth practically nothing and others with value....
Your estate plan is what your loved ones will follow when you pass away. It tells them your wishes for where your assets will go. While you might be tempted to list every asset you have, there are some that shouldn’t be included in the estate plan. Financial...
You may have started your estate plan many years ago and never touched it since. Maybe you have a few documents in place, like your living will and a trust, or perhaps you have only your will. It’s a good idea for you to remember that an estate plan is like a living...
In California and most other states, residents have the right to disinherit anyone. In other words, it is legal to leave family members, including your children, out of your will. If you are thinking about disinheriting a child or other relatives, that is your right....