Some figures baffle.Like the speed of light. Like the age and size of the universe. And like estimates pegging the personal fortunes of America's richest families.Consider this imagery relevant to the storied Vanderbilt family for a moment: a pile of money equaling...
Bay Area Estates and Tax Law Blog
Broad, measured thinking out of the box promotes sound estate planning
"You own this." Those words might sound frightening to a would-be California estate planner, but they are actually meant to promote a feeling of empowerment rather than intimidation. It is no secret that legions of...
Remarrying couples unquestionably need to focus on estate planning
Many remarrying California individuals fail to timely consider and update existing estate plans to reflect new realities.Don't be one of them. Many remarrying California individuals fail to timely consider and update existing estate plans to reflect new...
How family dynamics affect estate conflicts
An old joke is that wherever there's a will . . . there are greedy relatives. While there is indeed truth in that adage, that's by far not the sole dynamic at play in most estate battles.The truth is that each of the decedent's heirs and family members brings a...
Some planning considerations with election clock ticking
It's been quite a year thus far, hasn't it? And a certain political event is looming larger by the moment.Maybe you've already got November 3 circled on your calendar. That spells the first Tuesday of that month, which of course marks the day when scores of millions...
IRS focusing on taxes allegedly due re offshore company accounts
Estate planning can entail special complexities and challenges in almost any given case. Some California residents know that to be especially true when a portion of family assets reside in one or more offshore accounts. In such a case, a prominent third party...
Power of attorney selection not a casual decision
Readers will likely be venturing some immediate and varied responses to one estate planning article's spotlighting of "one of the most important decisions you'll make when you're planning your estate."Is it the crafting of a will? Trust creation? Making determinations...
Spotlighting estate plans containing foreign assets
Arguably, you've got - and perhaps in a literal sense - the best of all worlds if your estate plan contains both U.S.-based assets and foreign accounts/property.You might also have a bit of a challenge and a few attendant headaches keeping up with your diverse...
Understanding the role of an executor
If you have been assigned the role of executor of an estate, you have certain responsibilities relating to this. You are likely committed to fulfilling all of the associated duties, but you may be worried that you are not fully informed of the responsibilities.This is...
Loving and caring for a cherished companion via a pet trust
The current health pandemic has obviously upended the lives of millions of American families in material ways.Ironically, though, it has also been the catalyst for home improvement on at least one front for legions of families spanning the country. Since the inception...
Recent Blog Post
Even a fortune can disappear without sound estate planning
Some figures baffle.Like the speed of light. Like the age and size of the universe. And like estimates pegging the personal fortunes of America's richest families.Consider this imagery relevant to the storied Vanderbilt family for a moment: a pile of money equaling...
Broad, measured thinking out of the box promotes sound estate planning
"You own this." Those words might sound frightening to a would-be California estate planner, but they are actually meant to promote a feeling of empowerment rather than intimidation. It is no secret that legions of...
Remarrying couples unquestionably need to focus on estate planning
Many remarrying California individuals fail to timely consider and update existing estate plans to reflect new realities.Don't be one of them. Many remarrying California individuals fail to timely consider and update existing estate plans to reflect new...
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