It is easy to assume your family will step in if you are unable to make decisions concerning your health, but in reality, too few people carry on important conversations about end-of-life care. It is important to document your end-of-life wishes through an advance...
wills and trusts
How may an estate plan cover animals and pets?
Animals generally classify as property under Florida's statutes. Because you cannot leave your assets to property in a will, your pets or other animals you own cannot inherit your assets. You could, however, create a trust and provide instructions for your chosen...
What is a simple will?
Most Americans are aware that having a will in place, even at a young age, is a wise decision. However, many hesitate before doing so, mostly because the process often seems very overwhelming. However, it does not have to be that way. For persons with smaller estates,...
Creating a special needs trust can provide for your child’s future
If you have a child or loved one with special needs, you may worry about his or her future without you. As a child's caregiver, you cannot guarantee that you will be there for the course of his or her life. Likewise, your children may want to try to have some...
How can a spendthrift trust protect your child’s inheritance?
If you are someone with significant wealth, you might have concerns about how your children will spend their inheritance, particularly if they come into it shortly after becoming legal adults. You are not alone in your worries. Other families have dealt with this...
What should you consider when choosing an executor?
Naming an executor is an essential aspect of a solid estate plan. This person is responsible for carrying out numerous tasks, including paying creditors, locating assets, and dispersing inheritances. Your selection must have certain qualities to carry out these tasks...
When to make changes to a will
Many families may see estate planning as a task that they perform once. However, a family's circumstances may change over the years. People should update their will so that it always reflects their current situation. There are several reasons why families may need to...
Assets that a trust may own and that a trustee may manage
By creating a trust, grantors form a separate entity that may own the assets transferred to it. As noted by the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara’s website, real estate titles may list a trust as a property’s owner. A trust’s grantor generally...
Who may inherit my assets if I die without a will in California?
California follows community property law. Each spouse owns half of the assets a couple acquired during a marriage. If you die without a will, your surviving spouse may take ownership of half of your shared assets under the California Probate Code. Separate property...
Choosing a trust style: 3 factors to consider
Many individuals create trusts as a part of estate planning, as these documents can assist with protecting money, as well as outlining the plan for dispersal of funds, while the creator of the trust is still living. However, deciding which type of trust suits an...