When creating or updating your estate plan, there are options that could help your beneficiaries reduce taxes and court expenses. With fewer fees and lower taxes, more of your wealth can pass down to your heirs. Furthermore, you can save your loved ones from the...
San Jose Estate Law Blog
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...
Can you avoid these commonly litigated estate issues?
Creating a plan for your family's future after your death is the primary goal of your estate plan. However, sometimes issues crop up during probate that may open your estate up for a legal fight. Someone may initiate estate litigation for a variety of issues. Take a...
Is a funeral trust right for you?
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...
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...
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...
Litigating against a power of attorney
Powers of attorney give people the power to make various types of decisions on another's behalf. However, these documents also come with responsibility. This article will examine two ways one might litigate against those who misuse that responsibility. The first...
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,...

