Estate Planning for People With Dementia in California
Writing your own estate plan may seem like a smart and affordable decision. Online services and pre-made trust templates promise simplicity and control. In practice, these plans often create confusion, conflict, and expensive legal problems after someone passes away…
Don’t DIY Your Estate Plan in California
Writing your own estate plan may seem like a smart and affordable decision. Online services and pre-made trust templates promise simplicity and control. In practice, these plans often create confusion, conflict, and expensive legal problems after someone passes away…
Do I Really Need an Estate Plan If I’m Not Wealthy in California?
One of the most common questions I hear as a California estate planning attorney is simple and honest. Do I really need an estate plan if I am not wealthy?…
When Should You Update Your Estate Plan in California?
One of the most common questions I hear as a California estate planning lawyer is whether a living trust can be changed after it is created. The short answer is yes, in most cases, you can change a revocable living trust whenever you want…
Transfer on Death Deeds in California: What You Should Know
California homeowners are often told there is a simple way to avoid probate using a transfer on death deed. On the surface, this sounds appealing. Probate in California is expensive, slow, and public, and most families want to avoid it if possible…
Should Your Lawyer Control Your Money After You Pass Away
When creating an estate plan, most people focus on who will inherit their assets. An equally important question is often overlooked. Who should be in charge of managing and distributing your money after you pass away…
How To Find A Good Estate Planning Lawyer
Choosing the right estate planning lawyer can make the difference between a plan that protects your family and one that causes confusion, delays, or future legal problems. Estate planning is not something most families think about every day…
Debunking the Debt Myth: What Every California Family Should Know About Inheriting a Home
When parents pass away, their children are often left wondering what happens to any debts left behind especially if there’s a mortgage on the family home. It’s a stressful moment, and misinformation can make it worse…
Blended Family Estate Planning Horror Story: How One Couple Lost Everything
As you may know, over half of all first marriages end in divorce. About 60% of second marriages end in divorce, 70% of third marriages, and well the pattern continues. With remarriages come new relationships, new children, stepchildren, and new financial dynamics. That’s what we call a blended family and while these families can be full of love and connection, they also come with unique estate planning challenges.
How to Keep Your Estate Plan Safe
You’ve spent time, thought, and resources creating an estate plan that protects your family and assets, but have you thought about how to keep that plan safe?