Deciding what to do about your estate can feel stressful, especially if you feel intimidated by the whole process. There can be lots of different things to think about, and you might not be sure whether or not it is right for you. The upside is that you do not need to...
Estate Planning
How to avoid probate court
Probate court is often a tedious and expensive process that can take a long time to complete. Thankfully, you can avoid probate court with proper estate planning. Transfer-on-death deeds and registration A transfer-on-death form names a specific beneficiary who...
4 common estate planning mistakes that are easy to avoid
There are several estate planning tools to consider and you can tailor their use to your particular circumstances. You want to be as thorough as possible when you put your estate plan together. Here are four common mistakes for you to avoid. 1. Lacking liquidity If...
How do trusts improve the lives of adults with Down Syndrome?
If you have a child who has Down Syndrome, you may have some valid concerns about his or her ability to work in the future. Not being able to find gainful employment, of course, may make it virtually impossible for the young one in your family to pay living expenses...
Is it time to update your estate plan?
Too often, people fall into the trap of crafting a comprehensive estate plan and then leaving it locked away in their safe deposit boxes for years and decades to come. In fact, individuals should review and revise this set of documents at regular intervals to ensure...
Understanding estate tax portability
The deeper people in California get into the estate planning process, the more they recognize that there are a number of opportunities available to them to avoid certain expenses and retain assets for their beneficiaries. Examples of this include making plans to avoid...
When should you change or review your advance directive?
As part of estate planning, you created an advance medical directive so your loved ones know your desires regarding health care if you cannot make or voice your desires. Do you expect to change this legal document? Mayo Clinic describes circumstances that may...
What documents should you include in your estate plan?
Creating an estate plan is one of the most important things you will ever do, as well as one of the most personal. Your estate plan should reflect your values, wishes and needs. Therefore, there is no one estate plan that is ideal for everyone. Each should be unique...
How a trust can improve a life insurance policy
Many parents who do not have wealth or assets to spare purchase life insurance policies to prepare for the worst-case scenario where they do not live to raise their children. This proactive step along with a will is a good start, but it does have its downsides due to...
Who are the key figures in your plan?
When creating your estate plan, you will likely have several notable figures within it. It is important to understand who these are and what role they play in your overall estate plan. For example, some figures will have an active role. Others play a passive role. But...