Bay Area Estate And Tax Planning Law Firm
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
One of the most crucial decisions in California estate planning is designating a Power of Attorney (POA) to handle your medical, legal and financial affairs. You’ll want to choose someone with experience in these fields or the necessary qualities to handle...
Californians use a variety of financial advisors in an effort to leverage their money and limit their liabilities. Resources range from online and print publications to accountants and estate planning attorneys. However, not all financial advisors are looking out for...
When you're caring for someone who has special needs in California, it's rarely easy to form a financial plan that extends too far into the future. Most of the time, just keeping up with the day-to-day expenses is a significant accomplishment. But if you're able to...
Fiduciary duty refers to the duty of one party to act in the best interests of another. The main fiduciary duty is the duty of care, which requires fiduciaries to exercise reasonable care and skill when making decisions on behalf of others. There are other fiduciary...