Trusts are a popular estate planning tool for California residents. They’re known for protecting beneficiaries from estate taxes as well as giving Californians more control over how their wealth is passed down. From the other side of things though, it’s not unheard of...
Bay Area Estate And Tax Planning Law Firm
Bay Area Estates and Tax Law Blog
Estate planning for California grandparents
Estate planning is an important task for people of all ages, including California grandparents. As grandparents, you have the unique opportunity to leave a legacy for your grandchildren and ensure that your assets are distributed according to your wishes. Create a...
Not all types of assets go into a revocable living trust
A revocable living trust in California is the transfer of ownership of your assets into the trust to manage and distribute them after your death. However, not all assets are suitable for inclusion in a trust. Some assets may be better left outside of the trust to...
Different types of trusts can meet varying financial goals
There are several types of trusts, each with a unique purpose. However, there are some general circumstances for California families in which establishing a trust may be the best option. If any of the following situations apply to you, you may want to consider...
Keeping your family in the loop about your estate planning
An estate plan in California ensures that the distribution of your assets happens in accordance with your wishes after you die. One aspect of estate planning is discussing your goals with your family members. Having open and honest conversations can help prevent...
What happens when you inherit debt in California
When California residents pass away, they usually do so with some assets and some debt. When possible, the estate’s assets pay debts left behind. However, in some cases, the situation may be more complicated than that, especially for the surviving spouse. Inherited...
Avoid lengthy probate by learning about estate planning
Probate is sometimes an unavoidable and lengthy process in which the court makes final decisions about someone's estate in the wake of their death. While probate can take a long time, holding up the inheritance of many beneficiaries, there is a limit on the length of...
What are the fiduciary duties of an executor in California?
A lot of responsibility goes into being the executor of a California estate. Oftentimes, it can be hard to decipher what all goes into being an executor - people rarely do it twice. What are fiduciary duties? Fiduciary duties are responsibilities that are passed on...
Learn the basics of estate planning
California estate planning usually starts with you creating a will that establishes what each beneficiary will receive from your estate as their inheritance. Wills help families avoid the confusion, anger and hurt feelings that might otherwise arise. An income-earning...
An Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust in California
A life insurance trust could be essential to a California estate plan. When someone purchases a life insurance policy, they likely hope the payout will help the beneficiaries deal with financial concerns after losing a supportive loved one. However, tax implications...