Estate Planning

The advantages of remote work and increased wealth have offered many Californians the opportunity to maintain multiple residences across different states.

While this may seem like an enviable luxury, it carries with it the complications of distinguishing between one’s residences and one’s domicile. Why is this important? And what does domicile mean in California?

Many individuals attempt to escape high California taxation by establishing permanent residency in a different, low-tax state. Unfortunately, as Read more . . .

The sudden death or incapacitation of a loved one can be overwhelming. It can also create a financial crisis for the family. Without a comprehensive estate plan, a spouse may be unable to access accounts and funds the family needs to pay bills and living expenses. There could be confusion about who has the authority to make crucial decisions. The crisis can be avoided by working with a Read more . . .

Probate in California is extremely expensive. By categorizing estate assets in California carefully, it can be possible to avoid probate or minimize the assets that have to pass through the courts. A Read more . . .

A DIY movement has swept the nation, with internet tutorials and documents available for almost any need. But when it comes to matters as important as financial and legal affairs, is adopting

a standardized web-based approach the best idea? The convenience and minimal upfront investment of do-it-yourself wills and estate plans are attractive lures. However, using standardized documents to establish a personalized and comprehensive estate plan could be challenging, and may lead to costly problems in the future.

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Transferring assets of a deceased person’s estate do not have to be onerous. California provides a simplified procedure that allows the transfer of estate assets in some situations without having to go to probate court. Also, there are ways that a living person can arrange for specific assets to transfer to their beneficiaries automatically when the current owner dies.

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Special powers of attorney grant the agent limited authority to person a specific task or category of actions. The agent is the person the power of attorney names to take action on behalf of the principal. The principal is the person who makes and signs the power of attorney. Another term for special power of attorney is “limited power of attorney” or “specific power of attorney.”

Special powers of attorney can be an essential part of your estate plan as well as deal with unique situations throughout your lifetime.
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Choosing a legal guardian for your child is one of the most important decisions you must make during estate planning. It is not a decision your California estate planning lawyer can make for you.
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So, you got your estate-planning documents completed, and now you want to know where to store them. Many people are surprised to hear that one of the worst places to keep your will, trust, power of attorney, and other estate-planning documents is in your safe-deposit box. A Read more . . .

When you decide to protect your future and provide for your loved ones, a lawyer can help you formulate your plans and draft the documents you need. A California estate planning lawyer can do much more for you than merely write a will or living trust.
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Although this situation could change at any time, California law does not currently (as of April 15, 2020), allow remote online notarization (RON) of documents. More than 20 other states allow RON, but California has not passed previously proposed attempts to allow RON. A Read more . . .

If someone challenges your trust, the judge could modify the trust, terminate the entire trust, or deny the challenge. The person disputing your trust would have to file a lawsuit in the probate court. A Read more . . .