Here in California, owning a home is an expensive proposition, and in almost all cases it pushes the owner past the relatively low estate threshold of probate. In very simple terms, if a person owns real estate in California at all, their estate is almost certainly...
Do I need a probate attorney?
Year: 2018
Duties and privileges of will executors
Whenever a person with an estate of any substantial size passes away, it is necessary for someone to take on the responsibilities of resolving the estate. Even in cases where the estate owner took care to plan out their passing and left specific instructions outlining...
Micro estate planning protects children after tragedy
Estate planning is not one-size-fits all, especially for parents with dependent children. While it is good to have a plan for the long-term care of your loved ones, it is also important to consider the short-term needs of your children if and when the unthinkable...
Limitations in creating a will
If you've ever had a conversation about end of life wishes or estate planning, then you probably know that every person should have a will if they own any property at all and care about what happens to it when they die. Unfortunately, simply creating a will is not...
Avoiding probate in California requires careful planning now
California is bright and beautiful, and it's no wonder why so many people choose to live her. However, for individuals with significant resources, or even just an owned home, the probate process can significantly drain the value of their estate if they do not or...
Preserving government assistance for aging loved ones
As our parents and others we love grow older, their needs may change dramatically. Without careful planning for the future, even those who saved for a rainy day or who own significant resources may see all that they worked for drained away by the high costs of...
Spendthrift trusts may protect beneficiaries from creditors
When one sets out to create a sound estate plan and protect assets for beneficiaries, careful planning is critical. It is important to consider the recipient of a particular asset and the difficulties he or she may face that could pose a threat to the asset itself....
Is it time for you to open a Roth IRA?
Many people find that they simply don't know what estate planning and investment tools are a good fit for them, especially once they consider more complicated strategies and products that include both benefits and restrictions. One of the most commonly misunderstood...
Does California have an inheritance tax?
While many people throughout the country envy California for our beautiful landscapes and wonderful weather, others wonder how it is possible to live here under what may look like excessive taxation compared to other states. This is sometimes a misguided notion, as...
Should you consider establishing a living trust?
For many people who realize it's time to put together some estate planning documents to protect their assets, a living trust provides both protection and flexibility. While there are many kinds of trusts, most offer protection at the expense of flexibility, or vice...
