A will is the foundation of your estate plan. This document outlines what you want to happen to your assets after you die. According to the CDC Foundation, your will is also where you nominate the executor for your estate and the legal guardian for your dependents....
Helping You Through Times of Change
Estate Planning
Does the probate court follow the exact terms of a will?
When a loved one passes away, their beneficiaries attend probate court to witness the validation of the deceased's will and oversee the distribution of the estate. Probate can be a lengthy or even burdensome affair, creating the perception that the process is...
The benefits and drawbacks of revocable and irrevocable trusts
There are many reasons for considering a trust as part of your estate plan. Depending on the amount of control you need, you could choose either a revocable or irrevocable trust. Here are the benefits and drawbacks of each. Revocable trust A revocable trust acts as a...
What is a funeral trust?
Even if you have never planned one yourself, you probably understand that putting together a funeral can be a time-consuming and expensive proposition. Indeed, according to the Zebra, Californians spend an average of almost $7,300 for funerals that include burials. If...
Information about limited conservatorships
A limited conservatorship refers to a legal proceeding in which a judge appoints an individual to care, and make decisions, for a developmentally disabled adult. The appointed individual is the conservator, and the adult with the disability is the conservatee. There...
Avoid these 3 errors when making beneficiary designations
When you open certain types of retirement, life insurance or other financial accounts in California, you typically have to name someone as a beneficiary of those accounts. That way, the party you designate receives the contents from the accounts when you die. However,...
Why you need an estate plan if you do not have children
Many California residents neglect to create estate plans, citing similar reasons for failing to do so. Some say they do not create estate plans because they feel they do not have enough assets to warrant one. Others neglect to put plans in place because they do not...
What are essential parts of an estate plan?
When creating your estate plan, it is important that you ensure you include everything needed to leave behind clear and detailed instructions for how you want your assets handled after your death. The New York Times explains there are a few items you will need to put...
Can you file for a conservatorship?
When you have a loved one who is either aging and unable to properly take care of him or herself or is experiencing mental illness that prevents him or her from handling daily needs, you likely want to do whatever you can to help. But many times, it is difficult...
3 common misconceptions about probate
When forming an estate plan, everyone hopes to avoid unnecessary complications for their executor, family and heirs. One thing many people worry about is probate. Most estates undergo the probate process, but there are numerous misconceptions about how it actually...