California residents preparing to start their estate plans might hear a lot about the best way to avoid probate. One of the most popular ways to avoid probate is an irrevocable life insurance trust. An irrevocable life insurance trust is funded with at least one life...
Picking someone to serve as your power of attorney is an important decision because of all the duties your POA will have to perform. In the event you become incapacitated and have to stay in a hospital or a nursing home, your POA will probably have to take steps to...
The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act become law on January 1, 2020. No matter what stage of life you belong to, the Secure Act made changes that can help your retirement savings grow. Provisions of the Act can also help you avoid costly fees...
If you already have a start on your will or trust, you are on the right track. One of the biggest decisions you have to make is to assign an executor or trustee. AARP warns that choosing the wrong executor for the job could have serious consequences. Avoid these three...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
