When it comes to planning for the future, many people think about writing a will. A will is a legal document that specifies how you want to distribute your assets after you die. In California, specific laws govern the process of creating a will, and understanding the...
Wills
What does not belong in a will?
A will is the legal document that travels through probate court after your death. It sets out how you want personal property handled and, ultimately, disbursed after your death. While it acts as a master key, of sorts, to your estate, there are exceptions to what it...
How do you reduce arguments over wills?
No one wants their will to lead to an argument among loved ones. However, these arguments are unfortunately common. Are there any ways to help reduce these potential arguments? Fortunately, the answer is yes. Communicate openly Forbes takes a look at arguments that...
How may I choose a personal representative?
California's probate laws require naming an individual in your will to serve as your personal representative or estate's executor. If you do not name anyone or the person you name is unavailable, the probate court may appoint someone to settle your affairs. As noted...
What can you do in the case of a no-contest will?
When writing a will, many people want to prevent their children, beneficiaries and other loved ones from fighting over an inheritance. A parent or grandparent's desire to stop in-fighting may result in him or her writing in a no-contest clause. What happens if you...
Tips for will asset division to children
The details of a will often involve the dividing up of the property to two or more children. In many cases, the writer of the will decides to equally divide these assets, but this might not always provide the best results. A variety of circumstances could change this...
Plan ahead for medical care with a living will
If you are young and healthy, or even at an advanced age and healthy, you may not be spending too much time thinking about medical care in the future. However, unexpected things happen, and it is always good to prepare for them. If it is important to be in charge of...
What should you know about DIY wills?
It is crucial to have an estate plan ready in the event of your death, and a will plays an important role in it. But despite this, statistics show that the majority of Americans do not have any will or advanced directive. Instead, more people turn to the modern...
How can I avoid common will mistakes?
You probably already know that a last will and testament should play a significant role in your estate plan. Equally important is avoiding common mistakes when creating this essential document. According to AARP, it is easy to overlook certain things during will...
3 things you should not include in your will
A will is an important document that outlines how you want to distribute property upon your death. For most people, the will is the foundation of their estate plan. According to the American Bar Association, the laws of distribution and descent determine who...