Category: Estate Planning

More people are beginning to work with a California estate-planning lawyer to develop an estate plan earlier in life. Our clients have expressed the desire to have a plan that protects their family and their property in case of their death. However, what happens if a person is diagnosed with a terminal illness...

Do your loved ones know where your will is located?

At times, even people who have taken the critical step of making an estate plan fail to provide their loved ones with the information they will need to execute that plan. Whether it is through an oversight or intentional...

One of the goals of effective estate planning is to ensure that all your assets are included in the plan. Assets may be distributed through your will, a trust agreement, jointly titled property, or a beneficiary designation. However, the key is to identify all assets and ensure those assets are accounted...

Thinking about our own mortality is not a pleasant thought for many individuals. However, our deaths are inevitable. Therefore, instead of focusing on your death, you can focus on ways you can make your passing easier for your loved ones. Our California estate-planning attorneys work with clients to prepare estate plans that protect...

What changes should be made to my estate plan if I am going through a divorce?

Filing for divorce is a stressful and complex process. With so much on your plate, it can be easy to overlook your estate plan as you go through a divorce. Failing to update...

How do I start the probate process if my loved one dies?

Following the death of a loved one, you will be faced with confronting all of the emotions surrounding the death, as well as wading through the financial issues that come with a death in the family. Dealing...

Wealthy individuals are not the only people who need an estate plan. Regardless of your financial situation, you should have a comprehensive estate plan to protect your family, your assets, and yourself. An estate plan includes much more than a will. A California estate planning lawyer utilizes a variety of tools...

In California, a guardianship applies when a court appoints an adult to care for a minor, while a conservatorship applies when a court appoints someone to manage the personal or financial affairs of an adult who cannot do so independently. Both roles involve court oversight and significant legal responsibility, but they apply...

How can an estate plan benefit my family?

Fewer than half of all Americans have an estate plan in place.  Estate planning is a topic that all too often gets pushed to the backburner until it is too late.  There are several major advantages to having an estate plan in California. Our...

A durable power of attorney gives someone you trust the legal authority to make financial and medical decisions if you cannot speak or act for yourself. It remains in place during incapacity, unlike a non-durable power of attorney that can terminate when it is needed most, making it a core part of...