While many people focus on writing a will, it is only one of the estate planning options available to you. A comprehensive estate plan can use a variety of different documents to establish your wishes and provide for your loved ones. Wills A will is the most common...
Estate Planning
What makes a probate dispute so difficult?
A relative’s death brings up a wide swath of emotions that can become both a binding agent for families as well as a point of strife. The finality of a last will and testament can cause rifts amongst family members who have to contend with the asset distribution of...
3 clauses you might reconsider including in your will
Your last will and testament is a powerful, important document. It discloses your wishes and gives direction on how to distribute your property when you are gone. As such, you should consider carefully what you include in your will. Your will should be comprehensive,...
Estate planning terms defined
We’ve talked about the importance of having a will and protecting your assets in a trust. When speaking of estate planning and of the people named to ensure our wishes are carried out there are many terms we use. Some people use the terms interchangeably. But...
What happens if you die without a will?
Most of us plan to make a will, at some point. Some of us even think that it might be a good ideas to put the house or cabin in a trust. If we have kids under 18 we may have even, before a trip, thought about who should act as guardians if the unthinkable were to...
When should I revise my estate plan?
Over the course of your life, you work hard to establish a career for yourself and your loved ones. Your estate is more than the value of your assets. It is a legacy to pass on to your loved ones. While coming up with an estate plan may represent one item on your...
Breaking down advanced health care directives
We're often told to expect the unexpected. However, it can be hard to think about, let alone plan for, what will happen if we become incapacitated due to illness or injury. Today, we cover an essential estate planning document: the advanced health care directive. What...
Tips for choosing the right estate trustee
Who do you trust to make decisions for you? Whether you operate a successful professional practice, hold lucrative real estate properties, or wish to preserve your legacy of charitable giving, entrusting someone else to manage your affairs is not a decision to be...
Why living trusts are especially helpful in California
Estates in California with a market value of more than $150,000 must go through the full probate process in the absence of a will or trust. Considering the value of most real property in the state, most Californians who own a home face the possibility of having their...
When should someone contest a will, and who can do it?
For the most part, will contests happen less often than the movies would have us believe. However, there are some circumstances where a will contest is appropriate. Perhaps a family member suspects someone took advantage of their loved one, or a creditor makes a claim...
