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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Individuals often set up trusts so that their heirs will not need to go through the probate court to receive their assets. As noted by NerdWallet, by creating a trust, you become its grantor and can transfer your assets into it. If you own real estate, for example,...
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...
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...
