If you have had to plan a loved one's funeral, you might already know just how expensive end-of-life expenses and final arrangements can be. In fact, according to World Population Review, the average funeral in California costs almost $12,000. You can spend...
Estate Planning
Lonely seniors might be more vulnerable to undue influence
Watching parents age can be difficult for anyone. This is especially true if your parents must move into a nursing home or another long-term care facility. After all, these places can be isolating, causing residents to experience extreme loneliness. According to the...
How can you maintain control over your own funeral?
Most individuals eventually are going to have a funeral. Still, no two funerals are exactly alike, with family and religious traditions often determining how they unfold. It is not uncommon for individuals to pay a small fortune for funerals, though. In fact,...
Can I stop someone from abusing power of attorney?
Part of estate planning involves establishing a power of attorney (POA). A POA allows designated persons to make decisions on someone’s behalf, usually in times of disability or illness. If you suspect someone is abusing their power as an agent, take action as soon as...
Durable and regular powers of attorney
Powers of attorney are important legal instruments that allow others to act on your behalf. In the context of estate planning, you might use them to let other people make important financial decisions for you if you become incapacitated. If this is one of your goals,...
What if I want to divide assets unevenly?
Most Americans would like their heirs to experience asset division without an undue amount of stress. However, it is not always possible to partition an estate evenly, and there is also the reality of different adult heirs having different levels of aptitude and...
3 tips for creating advance directives
When people become ill and discover the diseases they developed have no cure, the discussion of advance directives may arise as families gather to help decide which end-of-life care a loved one desires. These conversations are often difficult; however, discussing a...
What are the duties of an agent under a power of attorney?
A power of attorney is a good tool to have in your estate plan. It can be beneficial if you cannot act on your own behalf because it allows someone you appoint to do so. The person you appoint is the agent. This person has a lot of power, but it is not unlimited....
What are revocable and irrevocable trusts?
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...
How to avoid favoritism in your estate plan
When crafting your estate plan in California, it is important to avoid favoritism. Biased asset division can wreak havoc on an already-struggling family after your death. Here are some guidelines to help ensure family peace after your passing. How to avoid favoritism...