Estate Planning

Creating a will is the responsible thing to do. It helps ensure your family knows your wishes and how to handle your estate when you pass away.  However, you may not realize that a will is not a set-it-and-forget-it document. It requires updates and changes throughout...

A will is basically the cornerstone of any estate plan. This legal document stipulates how you wish to distribute your assets to your beneficiaries when you die. If you get every aspect of your will right, you will have peace of mind knowing that your hard-earned...

Creating an estate plan is the smart and responsible thing to do as an adult. It will help you better understand your financial situation and can be used to reduce tax obligations and guide investment decisions.  All this is just a bonus to the true purpose of your...

Some individuals don’t like irrevocable trusts because grantors can’t change or revoke them. But an irrevocable trust comes with many benefits like protection from creditors, government benefits and savings on estate taxes. If you’re thinking about creating an...

Estate planning is one of the biggest legal decisions people make.  However, these legal documents can be confusing for first-time trustees. So it’s only fair that many trustees are riddled with questions. Here's what you should know: 1. Who can you name as a...

Planning your estate could be one of the best decisions you can make – for you and your family. It’s not a hidden fact, however, that estate plans include a lot of features. Here’s what you should think about including in your own plans when you're looking at the...

No one wants to think about a time when they won’t be able to make decisions on their own. However, as you get older, the potential of this happening increases.  It’s best to make plans now for how you want things handled if this happens. The best way to do this is by...

Many California residents use a trust as part of their estate plan. When creating a trust, the person making it is called the “settlor.” It is the job of the settlor to find the right person to serve as the trustee.  A trustee has the role of making sure the terms of...

Not everyone wants to leave their assets to their family when they die. Sometimes it is because they feel family members do not need it. Other times because they have fallen out with one or more of them. Certain people, such as spouses and children, expect to inherit...

Even people who develop a thorough estate plan sometimes fail to include their pets. This doesn’t mean leaving them millions of dollars like hotel magnate Leona Helmsley did. It simply means ensuring that they’ll be well cared for after you’re gone (or if you become...