Wills are the cornerstones of most estate plans because they are inexpensive and simple ways to address the vast majority of people’s estate planning needs. However, a will cannot help you accomplish everything in the estate planning process and there are some things that you should consult with an experienced estate planning lawyer about to… Read More »
Blog Posts
Three Art Collection Considerations for Estate Planning
Many people have personal collections about which they are very passionate. These could include stamps, coins, art, or even other items that have a significant sentimental or monetary value. Regardless of the total overall dollar value of the collection, it should be thoughtfully incorporated into your estate plan. Making these arrangements well in advance can… Read More »
Should I Move My Business Interests into a Living Trust?
If you own a business, it must be thought of as a unique aspect of your estate plan. With the help of our Pasadena business succession planning lawyer, we can help you see how the company impacts your individual plan. Tying up the matters of an open small business during probate can be catastrophic. This… Read More »
Should I Choose a Successor Trustee?
When creating a living trust for the purposes of avoiding probate, it’s a good idea to name someone as a successor trustee. You are the primary trustee, meaning that you have the ability to make changes to the trust, dissolve the trust, and move assets in and out of the trust. A successor trustee, however,… Read More »
How Do I Revoke a Will in California?
There are many different things to think about in the context of updating your estate plan, but one of the most important is to consider what to do if you need to revoke a previous California will. If the need ever arises, it can be helpful to have a relationship with an experienced Pasadena estate… Read More »
Can I Include a Letter to My Survivors in My Will?
Your will is a formal legal document that is read and accepted to probate when you pass away. It details important instructions about what you want to happen with your estate, such as who will receive assets you have left behind and who should be appointed as executor of your estate or guardian of your… Read More »
Study Finds that Millennials Spurred to Create Wills During Pandemic
The pandemic made many people take a hard look at their career path, personal residence, financial savings, and estate plans. Many people who had no plan in place before took steps forward to protect their interests in the event of sudden incapacity or death. No matter your age, you could benefit from a will. That… Read More »
Family Businesses Can Be Exposed Without Succession Planning
One of the most significant drivers of economic growth in the United States is the strength of family businesses. Unfortunately, however, the number of family businesses that are survived by second or third-generation owners decline significantly. One contribution to this is the fact that many family businesses don’t have a succession plan. At its most… Read More »
Defining Testamentary Capacity in California
One of the most common reasons for a will contest are claims about testamentary capacity. These are usually brought by heirs who allege that the person who created the will did not have testamentary capacity to create that document. If this challenge is successful in court, the will is deemed invalid. Capacity is a general… Read More »
It’s Time to Take Stock of Your Estate Plan
Heading into the second quarter of 2021, you may have more questions than you do assurances. A new presidential administration is raising questions about how estate taxes will be impacted. The world is still being rocked by a pandemic and no one is sure of their immediate future. This is an appropriate opportunity to step… Read More »
What Is a Conditional Inheritance in California?
One of the best things about creating a comprehensive estate plan is that you get to decide what it looks like and what is passed on to beneficiaries. You can also use more advanced estate planning techniques like trusts to exert more control over the conditions in which your loved ones can inherit those assets…. Read More »
Downsizing into a Smaller Home? Now Is the Right Time to Think About Your Estate Plan
Are you and your spouse in a place to think about moving into a home with smaller square footage? You’re not alone- this is a common question for many people who are looking at what’s the best fit for their upcoming lifestyle needs. There are many different milestones in your life that might prompt you… Read More »
Is Your Estate Plan Disordered?
If your estate plan is created but disorganized, the fallout could affect the beneficiaries you intended to support with your assets. When you’re working directly with an estate planning attorney, you will not only be able to answer many of the most common questions you have around planning for your estate and the possibilities associated… Read More »
Have You Updated Your Estate Plan in the Past Year?
The pandemic prompted more people than ever to think about whether or not their legal and financial affairs were in a place such that another party could take over if you were to become incapacitated or pass away. Many people are now interested in thinking pragmatically about how their life would be handled in the… Read More »
It’s Time to Take Stock of Your Estate Plan
Heading into 2021 you may have more questions than you do assurances. A new presidential administration is raising questions about how estate taxes will be impacted. The world is still being rocked by a pandemic and no one is sure of their immediate future. This is an appropriate opportunity to step back, review and take… Read More »
Are You Falling for This Myth About Your Workplace Life Insurance Policy?
A life insurance policy is an important component of your overall financial plan, but it also represents a key aspect of your estate planning. Because of the fact that funds tied up in your life insurance policy can be transferred relatively easy to your beneficiaries after you pass away and on a tax-free basis, this… Read More »
Leaving Behind an Unequal Inheritance? Here’s What to Know
It might be simpler for the vast majority of older parents to leave the exact same inheritance or asset value to each adult child. However, equality is not always the best fit. Many more people are confronting this question in light of the pandemic. You may be concerned about protecting a child who needs it… Read More »
Larry King’s Estate Could Be in Question
All too often, celebrity estate planning mistakes end up in the news cycle. The recent passing of interviewer Larry King is no exception as it appears that his estate could be headed for court disputes. When interviewer Larry King passed away recently, information emerged that because he was in the middle of a divorce from… Read More »
Five Things to Consider When Creating Your Estate Plan
For the vast majority of people, estate planning does not need to be complex but the prospect of it makes it all too easy to put it off and avoid taking care of this important prospect altogether. Remember that an estate plan is not a one and done activity. It’s a set of strategies and… Read More »
Three Options for Gifting Assets to a Charity
Passing on assets to a charity has many different components and reasons behind it but the underlying goal is the same: to be able to support a charitable cause or organization that you care about. There are many different estate planning tools that can be used to accomplish this and in this blog we will… Read More »
