Common Mistakes in Asset Protection Planning and How to Avoid Them
When considering asset protection, you may think about lawsuits, judgments, liens, taxes, creditors, and seizures. However, how do you protect your estate and assets from medical costs and long-term care? The chances you will need long-term care are high. It is estimated that 70% of people over 65 years old will need some...
The Consequences of Failing to Plan: When Conservatorship Becomes Necessary
Imagine for a moment that suddenly a complete stranger was in charge of your financial and healthcare decisions. How do you think that would feel?
That is what happens when a conservator is appointed to you by the courts.
If it doesn’t sit well, you may...
Using Special Needs Trusts to Avoid Conservatorship for Disabled Beneficiaries
Planning for the long-term care of a disabled loved one is a complex process, and one of the most important considerations is ensuring they have the resources they need without sacrificing their independence.
A Special Needs Trust (SNT) is a powerful tool that can help disabled beneficiaries maintain their...
How to Prepare for Incapacity Without Resorting to Conservatorship
Incapacity can occur at any time in life. If you have not started estate planning, now is the time to do so. In particular, it is in your interest to begin preparing for incapacity with tools that empower you to avoid a conservatorship.
Our California estate planning attorney is...
How to Handle Out-of-State Assets in Your California Estate Plan
Handling out-of-state assets in your California estate plan can complicate matters if you do not work with a California estate planning lawyer. Many people overlook out-of-state assets when they create a simple Will. They leave everything to their heirs without considering how properties in other states will be transferred. An attorney ensures...
How to Include Pet Care in Your California Estate Plan
Your pet provides you with unconditional love on a daily basis. Don't you want to do the same for them? Leaving your pet's welfare to chance isn't the way to go. That's why, as a pet owner, it’s essential to consider your pet’s well-being in your estate plan. In this post, our
Real-Life Stories: How Effective Estate Planning Helped California Families
Effective estate planning accomplishes many goals. It protects assets, provides for loved ones, and ensures a smooth transition. Without a comprehensive estate plan, your family may face challenging and costly problems after your death. Our California estate planning lawyer shares real-life examples of situations that estate planning can address.
What is Intestate Probate?
Intestate probate is the process that an estate has to go through when a person dies without leaving a valid will or living trust behind. After gathering the assets and paying the debts of the estate, the administrator will distribute the remaining assets according to the rules of intestate succession in California.
Often, the assets...
Is a Handwritten Trust Legal in California?
A handwritten will can be a valid document as long as the paperwork meets California’s requirements for validity, but you might wonder whether you can handwrite a living trust and whether it would hold up in court. You could technically create an oral trust, but that would create more problems than it is...
Do All Wills Go Through Probate in California?
No, not all wills have to go through probate in California, but all wills of individuals who lived in our state at the time of their death have to get filed with the court. The court in the county where the decedent lived will then decide whether the estate has to go...