A fiduciary is an individual legally bound to act in the best interests of another party, known as the principal. You probably already know that your California physician cannot disclose confidential information about your medical history without your permission....
Bay Area Estate And Tax Planning Law Firm
Bay Area Estates and Tax Law Blog
Three estate planning-related matters to handle before passing away
Over time, California residents can spend their lives building up a long list of assets. Understandably, most people want their hard-earned assets to go to family members or friends after passing away. That's where the power of estate planning comes into the picture....
How to approach estate planning as a single person
Many people begin to think about estate planning when they get married or have children. However, estate planning is also an important step for people who choose to remain single should take. If you’re a California resident who chooses to enjoy the single life, be...
Emergency financial files in estate planning
In California, and everywhere else, financial chaos can occur after the death of a loved one, even when a sound estate plan is in place. This scenario includes not knowing what financial and credit accounts were in the deceased's name, plus login and password...
IRA designated beneficiaries in community property states
Individual retirement accounts allow people to put money aside for their golden years and reduce their tax bills. When an IRA account holder dies before reaching retirement in most states, the money in the account will pass to the beneficiary they have designated even...
Tips for contesting a trust in California
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...
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...