A living will, also known as an advance healthcare directive or healthcare declaration, is a legal document that allows individuals to outline their preferences for medical treatment in the event they become unable to communicate or make decisions about their own...
Estate Planning
How does an irrevocable trust help your heirs?
Planning for the future can be a daunting task, but it’s a crucial step in ensuring that your loved ones are cared for when you're no longer here. As part of your estate planning, an irrevocable trust can provide a multitude of benefits for your heirs. Despite its...
What kinds of things can you include in an estate plan?
An estate plan is a preparation for the distribution of an estate in anticipation of the testator’s passing. Good estate plans can preserve the testator’s legacy, protect their loved ones and make it easier on their heirs as they grieve. They also make sure that...
What does a health care agent do?
One of the most important documents in your California estate plan will be your advance health care directive. In this document, you can detail your wishes for things like what kind of life-prolonging measures you do and don’t want to be taken under various...
5 estate planning misconceptions
It’s important to prepare for the future – whatever that may bring. One way you can do this is by making an estate plan. An estate plan helps ensure your assets are prepared for distribution after you pass according to your wishes and protects your family....
Who will pay your bills if you’re incapacitated?
Most people don’t sit around thinking about what will happen if they become incapacitated, but you’re missing out on a major purpose of estate planning if you don’t take the time to consider that possibility. Part of having your estate plan in order involves making...
Why do you need a special needs trust?
If you have a loved one with special needs, you need to tailor your estate plans accordingly to ensure they will be well taken care of when you are gone. It means looking beyond a traditional will. Here is why. A lot can go wrong with a will. Your loved one may lose...
It’s time to think about digital estate planning
If you’re like most Americans, you spend a considerable amount of your time online. Take a moment to think about how much of that time is spent on sites that require a login. Think about every account that is linked to your name and could potentially affect your...
3 reasons business owners may use trusts in their estate plans
If you own a successful business, the financial worth of your company may be significantly higher than any of your other personal assets. Retirement accounts and even real estate may pale in comparison to the true value of a successful business. The company that you...
The basics you need to know about revocable living trusts
Your estate plan might include a variety of documents, including a will and an advance directive. You might also create a trust. There are many different kinds of trusts that can serve different purposes, depending on your estate planning goals. A revocable living...