Estate Planning

A living will, also known as an advance healthcare directive, is a legal document that outlines your preferences for medical treatment and end-of-life care when you cannot communicate them due to mental or physical incapacitation. It allows you to express your wishes...

Leaving your house to your loved ones in California can be an important and thoughtful decision.  However, the process of transferring ownership can be complicated and confusing. Here are some important steps to take when leaving your house to loved ones in...

It’s often perceived that estate planning is only for the elderly and people with money. Because of this, many young adults don’t consider having an estate plan. However, there are many advantages to developing an estate plan at any age. Here are some things you...

People have been planning their estates for centuries. Like many things that aren’t commonly known or taught, it's very likely you’ve heard a myth or two about the estate planning process.  To ensure you’re making the right decisions when planning your estate, you...

One of the first steps that many people take when they decide to do estate planning is simply that they go through and make an inventory of everything that they own. You probably have a general idea of your assets, but it can be helpful to see if there’s anything that...

Most people understand the importance of creating a will. Better still, most people know the process of creating a will. However, it is not uncommon to ask what you should include in your will and what you shouldn’t.  Well, you might be surprised to learn that not all...

Probate is a legal process your estate undergoes after you pass on. During this procedure, a court will validate your will and authorize your executor to distribute your estate to the right heirs and pay any debt or taxes your estate might owe. That being said, the...

Many people make a trust to ensure responsible parties handle their assets. Per California law, a trust is valid if the settlor establishes it and if said trust involves property and a beneficiary. Though you can establish a trust alone, you could consider sharing it...

Your estate plan tells your loved ones what you want to happen with your assets when you pass away. It also sets up the plan for what happens if you become incapacitated. Many adults don’t realize that creating an estate plan isn’t a one-time deal. If you’re one of...

When you create a trust as part of your estate plan, you get to decide how much discretion the trustee is actually going to get. In some cases, they get almost none at all. For instance, you may set up an educational trust fund with instructions that the money is only...