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...
Bay Area Estate And Tax Planning Law Firm
Estate Planning
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...
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...
What you need to know about disinheriting a family member
Family relationships can be complex, and sometimes, sadly, they become strained or broken. In these difficult situations, you might consider adjusting your estate plan. Disinheriting a family member is a serious decision that often stems from deep-seated issues or...
When should you update your estate plan?
Estate planning isn’t a one-and-done deal. Your plan is something that you should revisit periodically to ensure everything remains in line with your current wishes and circumstances. Reviewing your estate plan involves more than just being sure that you have your...
3 ways to prevent family members from fighting over an estate
An individual with property that they hope to leave to others when they die want that legacy to be a positive influence on others. Unfortunately, estates have a tendency to disrupt families and cause major conflicts. The fights that erupt over inheritances can worsen...
Control irrevocable trusts provide in California
An irrevocable trust offers a robust mechanism for safeguarding your assets while simultaneously mitigating federal estate taxes. In this structure, the trust's founder, known as the grantor, designates a beneficiary to receive assets from the trust. When establishing...