Trust distributions can be set up in a variety of ways, and you get to decide in advance how you want to do this. If you’re using a trust as part of your estate plan, you get control over what happens to the assets in the fund. Even though you have already passed...
Most young adults in the U.S. go online daily. They are statistically likely to store intellectual property in the Cloud, engage with others on social media, send email and manage their finances online. Many young adults have never even owned a physical checkbook. And...
Making an estate plan is one of the most important tasks to accomplish as an adult. Yet, it is not something to make and forget about for the rest of your life. Rather, it is something you should revisit regularly to ensure it reflects your current circumstances and...
Estate planning is an important process. It can greatly benefit friends and families if done right. However, estate planning is a complicated process, which may lead to some common mistakes. If you are planning your estate, you may want to learn about some common...
It’s not uncommon for older people to grow very fond of in-home caregivers. If they don’t have family living nearby or their relatives simply aren’t able to provide the kind of help they need on a daily basis, these caregivers can become almost like family. It’s not...
Undue influence can wreak havoc on an estate plan. An elderly person may have crafted an excellent plan that should provide for all of their family members and limit disputes. But if they suffer this type of undue influence near the end of their life, it could change...
If you were chosen by a loved one, friend or colleague to be the executor (known as the “personal representative” under California law) of their estate, they likely trusted you to be able to handle this responsibility and help carry out their final wishes for their...
A durable power of attorney for health care (DPAHC) is a legal document that allows you to appoint someone you trust to make health care decisions on your behalf if you are incapacitated due to age, injury or illness. In California, this document should be considered...
As part of your estate plan, you want to pass your main bank account on to a specific beneficiary. You may be giving other financial or tangible assets to other beneficiaries, but now you’re looking to incorporate this bank account into the plan. That being said, you...
A will is the starting point of any estate plan. This document outlines the testator’s intentions in terms of how their assets should be divided upon their death. On top of that, a will can also name guardians who look after minor children in the event of the parent’s...