You always meant to get around to writing a will, but you never did. Now, in the aftermath of your death, your family is learning that not having a will can cause trouble. When you die without a will, the laws of intestate succession determine who inherits your estate, and it may not be whom you expect. […]

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If you’re drafting your estate plan with the intention of leaving some or all of your assets to your adult children, it’s essential to talk to them about their inheritances once you’ve determined what you are going to leave them. For many families, this may be the first time that parents and kids have discussed […]

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If you’re a Californian doing your estate planning, it’s essential to understand that it can, and maybe should, involve more than a will and other documents that detail how you want your assets disbursed after your death. For example, you can designate your wishes for your health care ahead of time in case you are […]

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One of the areas covered in many Californians’ estate plans is what actions they want and don’t want taken to extend their lives if they are unable to speak for themselves. These can be spelled out in detail in an Advance Health Care Directive and overseen by a health care power of attorney. In California, the […]

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There’s something to be said for the value of transparency in all human relationships. Generally, even if the truth hurts, knowing the truth will help you and everyone else in the long run. This is especially true when it comes to estate planning. Let’s say you’re like most Americans, and you have the kind of […]

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It used to be that estate planning largely involved deciding how much money each of your children would get when you died, and who would inherit the good silverware and vacation home in La Jolla. For many Californians, it still is. However, increasingly, it’s about what kind of legacy you want to leave by giving all or […]

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It’s often a wise idea for Californians to set up a living trust when they do their estate planning. This type of trust (also called an “inter vivos” trust) can make matters considerably easier on heirs after you pass away, and prevent them from having to go through probate proceedings, which can be lengthy and […]

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Most people think of estate planning as designating how assets will be handled after they die or if they are no longer able to speak for themselves. However, certain aspects of estate planning, like living trusts, are important for protecting your assets while you’re still alive and well. There is something called a “life estate” […]

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Everyone wants their heirs and beneficiaries to get as much money as possible when they pass away. They’ve worked hard for that money and assets that they’ve accumulated, and they want to see it continue to be used for good and for the benefit of their family. President Trump has said that he’ll repeal the […]

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Some Californians live on top of gas and oil. If these valuable resources are in the ground under your property, you may be getting some nice royalty income on a regular basis. Even if you sell your home, you can retain the rights to what is underneath it. The disposition of those royalties should be […]

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