How do you do an estate plan for blended families?
It’s vital that blended families have an estate plan to ensure that BOTH spouses and ALL kids are cared for in a way that the couple imagines.
Can I give to a charity AND my family?
Charitable gifts are very common in estate plans; there are several ways to structure these gifts depending on your goals.
How do I disinherit someone?
How you disinherit someone depends on who it is and what documents you have in place/are drafting.
Who should be my trustee?
Your trustee has to make decisions during your incapacity and at the time you die; make sure it’s someone you trust! (No pun intended)
Why should I use an attorney to create my will and trust?
Why should you use an attorney to create your estate plan? Because your family are people; don’t let a machine tell you what’s best for your family!
Why do I need a trust if I have a will?
If you only have a will - or do not have a will at all - your estate goes through probate court: a lengthy, costly, public court proceeding. The trust helps avoid that!
If I signed my trust, am I done?
If you have signed your trust, you must be sure to put your assets into the trust before you are actually “done.”
Can I name my trust anything I want?
In theory you can name your trust anything you want; however, there are practical considerations that you should discuss with your lawyer.
Who makes decisions for my minor child if I die?
When creating an estate plan, you get to decide who takes care of your child on a daily basis AND who manages money for your child. It doesn’t have to be the same person.
How do I file taxes if I have a living trust?
If you have a living trust, then it’s likely that your trust uses your social security number as your TAX ID number and you file taxes just as you always have done so.
How much does an estate plan cost?
How much does an estate plan cost? It depends on the attorney and what you actually need in your plan. Contact me for a free consultation and to discuss costs.
What are the rules for Common Law marriage in California?
What are the rules for common law marriage in California?
3 Reasons to Avoid Probate in California
3 reasons to avoid probate in California: cost, time, and publicity.
Retirement plan vs estate plan: do you need both?
Retirement plans and estate plans are often conflated; please join this presentation via Zoom to learn the what, when, and why of both!
What is the difference between a power of attorney a will and a trust?
A power of attorney does something different than a trust does something different than a will. Here’s a summary of the most frequently used terms and their definitions.
What happens if you die without a will?
What happens if you die without a will? The state gets to decide where your stuff goes.
Guest Post: Are you holding on to resentment?
What is resentment? Follow these steps to do the work to get through the resentment to the other side of peace. (Guest post)
What bills do I pay first when someone dies?
When someone dies, there are bills (debts) and assets (money or property). What bills to pay will depend on various factors: but please consult an attorney before you pay anything.
3 Reasons to Estate Plan NOW
Three reasons to estate plan now: you have more than $184,500 in assets; you have kids; or you want to make life easier for your loved ones if you’re incapacitated or deceased.
2023 Estate Tax, Gift Tax, and Avoiding Probate
2023 brings us updates to the federal gift tax exclusion and the federal estate tax exemption! California still doesn’t have either.