Estate planning is crucial in securing your family’s future and managing your assets. More importantly, it involves more than just a will. Trusts are another core component of estate planning. They play a key role in managing your assets and providing your loved ones...
Bay Area Estate And Tax Planning Law Firm
Bay Area Estates and Tax Law Blog
How to prepare yourself for fiduciary duties in California
Taking on fiduciary duties in California requires careful preparation and a clear understanding of your responsibilities. Whether you are a trustee, executor or corporate officer, you must act in the best interests of those you serve. Here is how to get ready for this...
What if a beneficiary passes away unexpectedly?
Getting started on your estate planning journey can be a terrific way to preserve your assets and provide for your loved ones after you're gone. However, life can be unpredictable. What happens if a beneficiary suddenly dies before the person who made the will or...
Crafting an estate plan? Avoid these 5 mistakes when naming beneficiaries
Selecting your beneficiaries is a crucial step in estate planning. It determines who receives your assets after you're gone. But this process can be tricky, and mistakes may sneak up on you. These errors might cause your assets to end up in the wrong hands or create...
When do estate taxes apply to California estates?
The assets that belong to someone at the time of their passing become their estate. Most of the time, the people closest to the person who passed expect to receive all of those assets. Outside parties may actually secure payment from the estate before beneficiaries or...
Estate executors cannot do whatever they want
When a loved one passes away, the executor of their estate takes care of the assets, pays off debts and distributes property according to their wishes. While executors have important responsibilities, they do not possess unlimited authority. Most probate laws require...
What assets should you include in a California trust?
A trust is a crucial component of any estate plan, helping you ensure the proper distribution of your assets even if you become incapacitated or pass away. However, establishing a trust is only the beginning of a comprehensive process. Once you have created your...
Make sure to update your will after major health changes
When experiencing a major health change, people are more likely to focus on their treatment, recovery and adjustment to their new normal. While it is natural to prioritize health, updating your will is equally important. In general, a will remains valid until you...
Estate Planning 101: Your first steps
Creating an estate plan is a vital step in securing your family's future and safeguarding your assets. Many people in California put off this important task, finding it too complex or uncomfortable to think about end-of-life matters. However, understanding your...
6 steps in creating your advanced health care directive
Making medical decisions for a loved one who can’t express their wishes any longer is incredibly difficult. It can cause conflicts among family members with differing opinions about your care and who should decide for you. Specifying your medical care preferences in...