When crafting an estate plan, many Californians think a will is all they need to leave assets to their heirs. Designating beneficiaries and periodically reviewing them is a more accurate way to ensure that you will leave your assets to the proper people after your...
An estate plan is a collection of documents that detail how you want your estate to get managed in the event of your death or incapacity. It's important to keep these documents updated as your life changes, since it can have a significant impact on you and your loved...
As a new parent in California, you want to make sure that your child lives a comfortable and secure life today and in the future. You want to offer them a good education and a stable home even if something happens to you, which is why you should create an estate plan....
Estate planning in California is helpful but can create conflicts with those who are named as beneficiaries. A charitable organization that you list as a beneficiary doesn't have the same intrinsic interest in your estate as do your children. It is easy to leave the...
Avoiding estate taxes when estate planning in California can seem complicated. The last thing you want to do is leave your family and loved ones with thousands of dollars in tax liabilities. There are some ways that people can avoid or reduce estate taxes upon their...
When properly structured, a California judge will likely recognize the validity of an irrevocable trust. Generally speaking, this type of document is used to protect assets from being seized by creditors or from being lost in a divorce settlement. It's also common for...
Many people fail to draw up an estate plan, which could leave heirs in a difficult position. Those that take the necessary steps to write a will or devise a trust embrace the planning required to make California estate management potentially less challenging for...
Writing an estate plan is a task that many Californians tend to put off for later, but planning early can help protect their families in case the unexpected occurs. If you have already created an estate plan, however, it is not something that you should simply set...
If you have reason to suspect that a will should be partially or fully invalidated, it may be possible to challenge its terms in a California court. However, it is important to realize that taking legal action may come with significant financial and emotional...
Estate planning in California involves much more than ensuring that you leave enough money for your beneficiaries upon your death as well as minimizing your tax burden now and for your beneficiaries when they receive their inheritance. Protecting your estate from...