A last will and testament can be composed in different forms. It may be created as a printed form. Some wills, if spoken orally, can be recognized by a California court as legal. There are also wills that are completely handwritten by the testor. These handwritten...
Having an estate plan is crucial if you are a Californian resident with an estate to manage, but writing an estate plan is not enough. Your estate plan must reflect your current life circumstances. For that reason, there are several points throughout your life that...
When residents in California create an estate plan, it should not be left untouched indefinitely. Estate plans should constantly be evolving along with the individual to whom it belongs. In fact, there are many different points in life when modifying an estate plan...
Much of the work you are likely to encounter when setting up your estate is collecting information and making decisions. The planning may, of course, have many technical elements both unique to California, such as probate concerns, and national, such as tax issues....
Being removed from a will is not uncommon. However, it can be a devastating experience when a loved one cuts you out of their will, despite the reason. Along with financial considerations, there is also a sense of betrayal and rejection, especially when a parent cuts...
Proper estate planning involves many different considerations. Along with wills and trusts, which stipulate how a person's assets should be handled after they're gone, implementing a power of attorney is also crucial. These legal documents appoint authority to another...
Living wills are legally binding documents that stipulate the kinds of medical procedures you'd like when faced with a life-threatening injury or illness. These documents are a crucial part of the estate planning process, and without one in place, your friends and...
The probate process involves gathering and distributing the assets of an estate under court supervision. Because of its lengthy, costly reputation, many individuals take steps to avoid the probate process with careful estate planning. These strategies can help you...
While studies have shown that less than half of American adults (in general) do not have a will, that does not mean that statistic holds true across all demographics. Indeed, older Americans seem to be more apt to take the advice of estate planning experts to heart....
When you think of estate planning, you might think of writing a will to determine who gets someone’s house or vacation property. However, it is important to remember the intangible aspects of your life that may be overlooked in your estate plan.What to do with...
