An estate plan often begins with clear intentions. Over time, careers may shift, assets could grow and family needs might change. If you already have a will or trust in place, it helps to know what events signal the need for updates. Small details that once made sense...
Estate planning
4 ways to protect generational wealth through estate planning
Building wealth takes years of hard work, smart choices and careful planning. Protecting it for the next generation can feel just as complex. Heavy taxes, family disputes or outdated plans can undo what you worked so hard to create. But estate planning gives you tools...
Revocable or irrevocable: Which trust suits your California estate?
When planning your estate, selecting the right trust can help protect your property and make transferring it to your heirs smoother. In California, the two main types of trusts are revocable living trusts and irrevocable trusts. Understanding how they differ can help...
Why you should consider staggered inheritances
When it comes to estate planning, most people focus on how much to leave to their heirs – but how that money is distributed can make an even bigger difference in the long run to the stability of a beneficiary’s future. Many testators find the use of staggered...
3 ways parents protect their children through estate planning
Estate planning is a process that addresses death and personal vulnerability. People in a variety of different circumstances may need to address their own mortality. Business owners and those with substantial personal resources may feel compelled to establish estate...
Safeguarding generational wealth when estate planning
Building generational wealth is a significant achievement. Understandably, preserving it for future generations requires careful estate planning. Without a solid plan, wealth accumulated over a lifetime can quickly diminish due to taxes, legal disputes, mismanagement...
What should you think about when creating an estate plan?
Estate planning is something that many adults know they should handle, but that they often put off as long as possible. The fact is that if you need to create an estate plan, you should get it done as soon as possible. If you’re embarking on the estate planning...
3 common reasons people add trusts to their estate plans
Some people have very basic estate planning needs. They may only require a will to allocate their property to others and name people they trust to handle certain tasks after their passing. Other times, people have more complex financial and family situations that make...
How California fights undue influence on estate planning
Property rights don't instantly end when someone dies. Technically, individuals retain certain property rights even after their death, as they can leave behind documents describing what they believe should happen with their most valuable property. The decision to...
What happens if someone dies in California without a will?
Most adults, especially those with children, readily acknowledge the importance of estate planning. However, the vast majority of those adults have likely procrastinated thus far. Only about one out of three adults has an estate plan on record. The other two-thirds...
