As people get older, they often become more dependent on support from others. Eventually, many older adults require the regular support of friends, family members or professional caregivers to meet their basic needs. Guardianship is one of the ways that the state...
Estate Planning
5 things you need to know about trusts
When people start to think about an estate plan, they may consider the will. While a will is fairly easy to establish, it behooves some individuals to set up and fund trusts. Assets held in trusts are passed down to the beneficiaries without having to go through the...
Estate planning milestones to look out for
When you look back at your past, you recall milestone events that shaped who you are today. Such events as weddings, divorces, births, deaths, new careers and retirement will continue to add to your story for the rest of your life. Besides making up your and your...
Is your estate vulnerable to taxation after you die?
Thinking about who receives which assets from your estate can be pleasant in some ways. You may reminisce about your favorite memories with different people and assign them different property based on your experiences with them and their current life circumstances....
Could an inheritance harm your children instead of helping them?
As a parent, you want to give your children the best that this world has to offer. You have probably made countless sacrifices over the years so that your children would have more opportunities. Your decades of hard work will now mean that you get to leave behind a...
5 of the most common estate planning mistakes people make
People make all kinds of estate planning mistakes that can come back to hurt them or their families in the future. For that reason, it’s important for you to know your legal rights and to take action to make sure your estate plan is as protective as possible. Here are...
3 ways to spot an invalid will
Usually, you want nothing more than to uphold the last wishes of a loved one who recently died. Their will or estate plan will is the foundation for their lasting legacy. What they want to leave to their loved ones is a reflection not only of their relationships but...
Basic estate planning for everyone
It’s very common for people in California to delay their estate planning. In fact, if you have a will, you’re already ahead of the game compared to most people. Some people only need a simple will while others require more complex estate plans. Does everyone need to...
Is your will valid according to state law?
A will allows you to dictate how you want the probate court to distribute your property upon your death. Having a will is very important, but it must comply with the law's requirements to be valid. If your will isn't valid, the probate court won't divide your estate...
Areas in your estate to update after divorce
There are many life changes the average person has that are worth using for updating an estate. An estate isn’t just the assets you’ve collected over life. Within an estate plan are instructions about your assets and stipulations regarding their disbursement. What...
