Creating an estate plan generally requires you to consider how you want your loved ones to receive their inheritance, any special considerations you have and what type of protections you want for them. One option you may consider is a revocable trust. There are...
Estate Planning
Should you make an estate plan when your child is born?
There are certain life events that tend to make people think about drafting an estate plan. One of them is when they have their first child. This changes their life dramatically. If you’re in this position, you may be wondering if it is time for you to make a plan. On...
Tips for naming a guardian for minor children when estate planning
Naming a guardian for minor children is one of the most critical decisions parents can make during the estate planning process. This decision helps to ensure that, in the event of both parents' untimely death or incapacitation, their children will be cared for by...
What should you know about powers of attorney?
Powers of attorney are legal instruments that grant someone the authority to act on your behalf in specific matters. These documents are essential for planning and managing affairs if you become incapacitated. Choosing a trusted individual as your agent is crucial...
3 kinds of trusts to consider making
It’s often important for people to know how their assets are handled after they pass away. If an estate is mismanaged, then it can seem like all their investments and decisions during their life are wasted. One way that an estate can be protected from being put in the...
Have you drafted your digital estate plan yet?
As more and more of Americans’ time is spent on electronic communication devices, each individual’s online presence has become increasingly significant over time. From social media accounts to digital assets like cryptocurrency, your digital footprint is likely vast...
3 things to know about trusts
Getting your estate plan together requires you to consider the best option to get assets from you to your loved ones. There are different ways to do this. While some people may name the assets in the will and pass them down that way, it’s not always the best option. ...
Do all estates need formal probate in California?
When someone dies, their estate usually passes through a probate court. The court determines the existence and validity of any will, the estate's beneficiaries and the value of the estate. Under the supervision of the court, an executor will take care of the...
How can you make changes to your will?
A will is not effective until it's submitted to probate. This means you can make changes when you want to. You can change your executor/child's guardian, add/omit an asset after a purchase or sale, add/remove a beneficiary and so on. But how can you make these...
What happens if you die without a will?
Even though we don’t like to think about it, death is an inevitable part of life. Therefore, it’s imperative to have plans in place for when you die, such as creating a will. How does dying without a will negatively impact your loved ones? The complications of dying...