When it comes to planning for end-of-life matters and determining where to leave one's assets after death, a lot of people have the same question, "Do I need professional estate planning?" Chances are, they do. Regardless of a person's assets and the complexity of...
People in Northern California who have questions about estate planning may not initially know where to turn. Most people understand that it is a very important task, but busy people also know how easy it can be to put it off. The problem with putting it off is that...
As Joan Rivers' passing last year illustrated, the proof of a person's domicile can have tremendous ramifications on a person's estate, in particular the amount of state estate tax a person may be liable for. California, which has not had an estate tax since 2005,...
Comedy and entertainment pioneer Joan Rivers left a legacy of laughter and success to her family, as evidenced by the $150 million estate she left behind to family and loved ones. What nobody is laughing about, however, is the fact that an apparent ambiguity in her...
People with substantial estates want to ensure that their money is going to the people and causes they love and support after they die. Most people want assurance that their money isn't going to disappear into the coffers of an overreaching government when they die,...
People in California may have heard a lot about elder abuse and tragic stories of people having their life savings wiped out by someone who has taken advantage of them financially. Unfortunately in many of these cases, the damage may already largely have been done by...
People in California who have questions about estate planning issues may want to start with the basics. While every person should have a will as well as a health care directive in place, some people may also benefit from setting up a living trust.A living trust covers...
Every December, people in California and across the U.S. prepare to gather with friends and family to celebrate the holidays. While most people are focused on catching up with one another and enjoying their time together, it is also a great opportunity to have...
California is one of a handful of states across the country that recognize the rights of same-sex couples, but for people who are in domestic partnerships in California, the fact is that they still face some unique challenges when it comes to transferring assets,...
As Californians get older and plan for the next phase of their lives, they have lots of things to consider. Not the least of these worries is planning and providing for spouses, children and even grandchildren. Not surprisingly, this gives rise to a whole other list...