It’s important to define the terms that we use regularly: power of attorney, trust, will, and incapacity. The power of attorney, trust, and will are part of a comprehensive estate plan that ensures your family is protected during incapacity and at the time of death.

When is the best time to start your estate plan? TLDR: As soon as you’re an adult (18 years old), you’ll need to designate someone else to make decisions for you if you are unable or unwilling to make those decisions for yourself.

If you don’t have an estate plan, then your loved ones are going to have a tough time if you are ever incapacitated and at the time that you die. In this post, we explore what would be helpful to have at different stages.

Why do I need a Living Trust — and What is a Living Trust Anyway? A living trust is like a contract you create with yourself about what is going to happen to your assets if you are incapacitated and at the time that you die. It avoids probate court, is a private document, and ensures incapacity planning.

Do you need a trust if you have a will in California? Most people do, and here’s why: it allows for incapacity planning and it avoids probate court.

Ensure your medical wishes are honored. Learn why every Californian needs a healthcare power of attorney (Advance Directive) for medical decision-making.

Protect your finances in case of incapacity. Learn why every Californian needs a durable financial power of attorney to avoid costly conservatorship.

Even with a living trust, every Californian still needs a will. Learn why a pour-over will and guardianship provisions are essential in estate planning.

Transfer on Death Deeds are generally frowned upon as best practices in California estate planning. Here are the problems with TOD deeds, and why a comprehensive estate plan is a better choice.

Learn why a living trust in California is the best way to avoid probate, protect your assets, and keep your estate private

Avoid probate and protect your family with a comprehensive estate plan in California. Learn why you need a trust, will, financial POA, and healthcare POA

California’s New Probate Relief for Primary Residences: What You Need to Know about AB 2016 and Avoiding Probate

If you’ve got kids who are under 18, you need to select a guardian; here are tips for how to choose those people.

When I die, how much are my people going to have to pay in taxes or other costs? Check out our summary of all the taxes involved when someone dies in California.

What happens if you die without putting your assets in the name of your trust? TLDR: usually probate court.

TLDR: an estate plan that includes a trust, will, financial power of attorney, healthcare power of attorney — and know what assets you have and who you want to receive them.

If you die with only a will or no will in California, your estate goes through probate court to distribute assets.

Estate planning in California should avoid probate, ensure your stuff goes where you want it to when you die, and plan for incapacity.

What are the deadlines when someone dies? Here’s a summary.

Does debt die with a person? TLDR: No, but the debt doesn’t get moved to someone else either. The debt must be paid from the deceased’s assets.