You have a lot of ground to cover while assembling your estate plan. Not only must you plan to take care of your loved ones after your death, but you must also take care of yourself while still alive. Does your end-of-life strategy include a health care directive? The...
Year: 2021
Beneficiary designations are a key part of your estate plan
Many people in California forget the importance of beneficiary designations when they are planning their estate. Beneficiary designations can actually take precedence over other documents in your estate plan, so it is crucial to ensure that they are up-to-date. Check...
Who can serve as a witness to a will?
In California, the law requires a standard will to have at least two witness signatures. These people must also meet legal requirements. If you fail to have the proper witness, your will may not be valid. The court could throw it out in probate, which means your...
How can you make sure your money remains with your family?
If you are ready to start the estate planning process, you probably want to know how you can make sure that your money remains in the family and with those you love. According to U.S. News, the best way to ensure that the money goes where you want it to, you need a...
What is the difference between a revocable and irrevocable trust?
Despite popular misconceptions, trusts are an essential estate planning tool for many people. You do not need to be ultra-wealthy or have numerous assets to make use of a trust. When used in conjunction with a will, the right trust can safeguard your estate even...
What are some essential estate planning documents?
You probably already know that having an estate plan is vital to protect your family after you are gone. However, you might not know all the documents required to make up a valid and legally binding plan. According to AARP, there are five essential documents all...
Tips on discussing wills and trusts with elderly relatives
An elderly relative may express an intent to leave his or her assets and property to a specific individual. As noted on the Judicial Council of California website, without a signed will the estate passes on to the deceased's lawful heirs instead. The probate court may...
Holographic wills are valid in California
A holographic will is a last will and testament that is written in the testator's own handwriting. A will bearing the testator's handwriting in the blank spaces of a pre-printed form is also a holographic will. This kind of document is valid in California, and the...
How may I include my values and philanthropy in an estate plan?
Your legacy includes non-financial assets such as personal values, beliefs and skills developed during your lifetime. If you wish for your estate to continue carrying out your mission, you may include philanthropy in your will or trust. As noted by Kiplinger's...
Where should your focus be during estate plan reviews?
Reviewing your estate plan may feel like an enormous task. Unfortunately, many people put it off for this exact reason. But there are ways you can make the review process easier on you while simultaneously checking everything essential. You can do this by...