Estate Planning

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.
Read more . . .

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.
Read more . . .

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.
Read more . . .

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 . . .

One of the very best things that you can do for your family when it comes to planning ahead, is executing a comprehensive estate plan for when you become incapacitated or pass away. This ensures that your family need not stress about decisions regarding your assets, as you have already made such decisions for them.
Read more . . .

The SECURE Act was part of the spending bill President Trump signed on December 20, 2019. Proponents have praised the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act as giving individuals the ability to plan more effectively for their retirement. Contacting your California elder law attorney to discuss your current estate plan is advised because some of the provisions of the SECURE Act could impact your current estate and retirement plans.
Read more . . .

When someone passes away without a will, the state will distribute that individual’s assets in a specific order, with property first going to any children equally. But what about children who are adopted? If a child is adopted should he or she inherit from the biological parents or the adoptive parents? Do adopted individuals get to reap the benefits of two sets of parents? As nice as that might be, the answer is no. Here is what every adopted child should know about adoption and inheritance rights in California.

Luckily, the rights of adopted children in California are pretty easily understood. Adopted children are entitled to the same rights as biological children when it comes to inheritance.
Read more . . .

Estate planning for the elderly involves many decisions. One important decision elderly individuals make when developing an estate plan is the choice of an executor for their estate. An executor has the task of administering a person’s estate. Choosing the right individual for this task is essential to reduce family conflict and ensure that the person’s final wishes are carried out. Our Read more . . .

Estate planning can be challenging for some families who have unique situations that require special estate planning tools or comprehensive estate planning to address certain issues. A blended or merged family can sometimes create estate planning difficulties. Parents with minor children from previous marriages and couples who marry later in life with adult children from prior relationships may struggle with estate planning decisions that protect and provide for all family members. A
Read more . . .