You named someone to make medical decisions if you cannot speak for yourself. But what happens if that person wants something different from what your advance directive says? California law requires a healthcare agent to follow your healthcare instructions and other...
A medical crisis can move fast, and hospitals may not confirm your directive is on file or followed. In California, providers typically must follow a valid advance directive when you cannot speak for yourself. If a hospital will not comply, specific steps may help you...
Creating an estate plan is an important thing to do. However, the simple creation of the plan is not where things end. For the best results, it is important for people to update their estate plans somewhat frequently. But how does a person know when to do that?...
Many people know the power of wills and why it is important to have one in place before you die. However, a will is not the only way to manage your money after your death. More and more Americans are taking advantage of revocable and irrevocable trusts. Depending on...
A power of attorney gives another person the ability to make decisions on your behalf. It is usually used as part of an estate plan to prepare for a situation in which you cannot make decisions yourself due to medical incapacity. The Superior Court of California...
After working hard for your money, you want to make sure that it stays within your family for your loved ones after you pass. When you create an estate plan, you have to make sure your money goes to the people that you want it to go to. According to the U.S. News,...
Most people assume that once they create their estate plan, they can set it and forget it. Not only is this not the case but also, “forgetting about” your estate plan can have adverse and costly consequences. New laws, life events, the accumulation or loss of wealth...
While having an estate plan is the first step in the right direction when planning how you want to distribute your assets after you die, you cannot leave the estate plan once you finish it. According to the U.S. News, you must review your estate plans regularly. Once...
If you lost a loved one, you are probably wondering what the next steps are. Probate is the legal process that take place to ultimately transfer assets and close the estate. Probate consists of many steps and is not a short process in most situations. The executor...
If you want to have a say in what medical treatments you receive in the event you are in an incapacitated state, you should prepare an advance directive. This legal document outlines procedures and treatments you want or want to avoid. You can also name an agent as...
