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...
Most people have heard their whole life of the importance of creating an estate plan. Some people, for whatever reason, put off creating a will until it’s too late – perhaps because an accident or unforeseen circumstances took them from this world before they were in...
If you have an elder living in California, you may benefit from learning more about planning for incapacity. Unlike retirement or estate planning, incapacity planning is preparing for the possibility, rather than the inevitable. Incapacity is defined as the inability...
Estate planning for wealthy individuals can be a complicated process. Individuals with wealth need to consider taxes, confidentially, and other matters more than people with less assets. Individuals in California and other states should keep have considerations in...
If you are creating an estate plan in California, there are a few common mistakes that you can avoid. One of them is not being an active participant when you prepare it with the help of a professional. You should understand all the elements of your estate plan and ask...
When someone dies in California, their will decides how their physical assets will be distributed. But what about their digital assets? An increasing number of people are neglecting to include digital assets in their wills, ranging from social media profiles to money...
Ideally, a will gives your loved ones the chance to divide up their assets according to their last wishes. Unfortunately, this isn't always the case. If someone close to the individual has an agenda, they might influence the individual to write their will in a certain...
California is one of the world’s largest economies and has many wealthy individuals with plentiful assets to protect. The Golden State also has many hard-working individuals and families who live a mostly middle-class existence throughout their careers. Whether you...
As a part of your estate plan, something you may be interested in is giving gifts to those you love. If you do so correctly, you can prevent taxation and even reduce the value of your estate to prevent estate taxes in the future. Taxpayers are supposed to keep track...
Deciding to make a last will or estate plan isn't just about having control over your belongings and you die. It's also about making sure the people that depend on have what they need to get by in your absence. Your family will likely never need the protections that...
