As people live longer and accumulate more wealth, they look for additional ways to retain that wealth, which they hope will last for years to for their beneficiaries. A dynasty trust is one such estate planning tool that creates a tax-free foundation of wealth,...
When creating a trust, you want to make sure that it really addresses all of the potential future outcomes for your heir. If the trust is too specific and doesn't have any flexibility, that can create some unforeseen problems. For instance, perhaps you want to use an...
Estate planning often involves a careful analysis of your family circumstances. What you leave for each of your children will reflect not only your overall assets but your child's character and your relationship with them. Certain situations require more careful...
Probate is the court-administered process your will goes through before being distributed to the beneficiaries. On the face of it, probate may sound like the right way to handle your estate once you are gone, but it may not always be so. Here are some of the reasons...
Owning a vineyard is more than a full-time job. It may also be a passion and can be a way of life. From maintaining the right genetics for your fruit to crafting unique blends based on the harvest each year, you probably take great pride in your business. You would...
Even people who give a great deal of thought and time to their estate planning can neglect to ensure that their pets will be cared for after they die or become incapacitated. They get a “promise” from a family member or friend that they’ll give them a good home....
Most people recognize that they need a will, a financial POA and a health care directive and proxy. But many people are not sure whether or not a revocable trust is a good idea given their situation. A revocable trust is created during the lifetime of the maker of the...
Many California residents think that establishing a valid will can eliminate their concerns regarding protecting family assets in the event of their untimely death. However, this is not always the case. Even a seemingly valid will can be contested by a potential...
Putting together an estate plan requires significant time and effort. Upon signing the various documents, the planner may feel some relief about getting things done. However, it might be premature to assume California estate planning won't require any revisitation....
California families should do what they can to avoid probate because it can be a difficult and time-consuming process. One way to keep assets out of probate is to put them in a joint tenancy arrangement. This puts the property in the name of two or more owners. Joint...
