Estate planning is a crucial aspect of securing your assets and ensuring your loved ones are taken care of after you're gone. However, for individuals in second marriages or blended families, the estate planning process can be more complicated. Balancing the needs of current and previous spouses, children from different relationships,...
What Are the Grounds for Contesting a Will in California?
Creating a will is an important step in securing one's assets and ensuring a smooth transition of wealth to heirs. However, the process is not immune to disputes, and contesting a will is not uncommon. In California, as in many other jurisdictions, there are specific grounds upon which a will can be...
A Guide to Choosing a Successor Trustee for Your Living Trust
Establishing a living trust is a prudent step in managing and safeguarding your assets during your lifetime and ensuring a smooth transition for your beneficiaries after your passing. An integral component of this process is selecting a successor trustee, someone who will step in to manage the trust when you are no...
The Impact of California Proposition 19 on Estate Planning
In a state known for its rapidly-evolving legal landscape, California Proposition 19 has brought significant changes that carry over into estate planning. Here’s what to know about the implications of Proposition 19 on estate planning strategies and key considerations for California residents navigating this new legal terrain.
What Is a Spousal Lifetime Access Trust?
Estate planning can be intimidating, particularly when it comes to ensuring the financial security and well-being of your loved ones. Among the various tools available to protect your assets and provide for your family, the Spousal Lifetime Access Trust is a powerful strategy with unique advantages. Here’s what to know about the...
Ensuring a Smooth Transition of Vacation Properties to Heirs in California
With its beautiful variety of landscapes, California is a popular destination for vacation homes. If you own a vacation property in California it's important to plan for the future in order to ensure your heirs can enjoy your property. Having a well-thought-out estate plan can make all the difference. Here’s are some...
What to Know About Asset Protection Against Creditors
While planning for the future involves ensuring your loved ones are provided for, protecting your assets from potential creditors is equally important. In this blog post, we'll delve into the key considerations surrounding asset protection against creditors in California.
Asset protection consists of arranging and managing your assets legally...
Who Needs a Will in California?
Many people are under the impression that only those who are old or very wealthy need a will. However, this isn’t the case. Although many people wait until they are older to establish a will or comprehensive estate plan, those who are younger may also benefit from having a will. Anyone...
What is Undue Influence in CA?
One of the major points of establishing a comprehensive estate plan is to ensure that your property and assets are given to the people and causes you desire after you pass away. Still, there are times when those whom we expect to inherit most of one’s property do not. When the recipient(s)...
What Happens if a Beneficiary in Your Estate Plan Dies?
The creation of an estate plan is important because it allows you to decide several things, including who you wish to receive your assets when you pass away. However, sometimes those whom you plan to leave property to may pass away before you. When this occurs, what does that mean for...