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,...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
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....
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...
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...
An advance healthcare directive is a legal document that outlines your wishes related to healthcare. Although having one is not a requirement, there are numerous benefits to having one on file. There are four parts to an advance directive, and you can complete all or...
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...
