No one likes to think about their own mortality or that of their loved ones. However, many an estate has languished in probate for much longer than necessary because adult children of aging parents were not clear on their parents’ wishes. Having an uncomfortable conversation now can save everyone a lot of unneeded stress, which […]

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You’ve spent a good chunk of time and probably no small amount of money executing a detailed estate plan. Then you move to another state. Will you have to do the whole thing over again? Likely, you won’t. As long as it was a valid will under the laws of the state in which it […]

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Some people are fortunate to stay physically and mentally sharp as a tack until their very last days, but many people just aren’t that lucky. As they get older, they may become more forgetful, disorganized, and physically weak. All the details that go into managing their every day lives may start to get overwhelming, and […]

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If you’re approaching retirement age, chances are, you’re taking steps to secure your financial future and your legacy. Although not everyone enjoys making end-of-life plans, creating a will is an important part of protecting the assets you’ve worked a lifetime to earn It is not always an easy task either. You may be struggling with […]

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Did you know that Los Angeles County holds a monthly auction to sell unclaimed possessions of people who have died? These people either had no will (at least none that could be located) or had a will, but none of the heirs could be found or were alive. Further, no friends or family members claimed […]

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Increasingly, couples are choosing to postpone marriage until later in life or not marry at all. While cohabitating partners may feel married, in the eyes of the law, they aren’t. Here in California, common law marriage isn’t recognized. That means that no matter how long you and your significant other have lived together, the two […]

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Trusts are an important part of many Californians’ estate plans. However, drafting a trust or other estate planning documents is rarely a “one and done” situation. Assuming that you haven’t waited until you’re very old and/or ill to do this important planning for your legacy and your family’s future, you’ll likely need to make some […]

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Being named the executor of someone’s estate is a bit of a mixed blessing. You may wonder if you should feel honored to be chosen, but there still may be some part of you that wonders why you were the one “lucky” enough to get the job. In either case, this mission, if you choose […]

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When you think about estate planning, it is common to think about planning for funerals and distributing wealth; including homes and investment accounts. This mode of thinking may lead people to believe that estate planning is only for the well-of, middle aged and elderly. However, estate planning can be beneficial for young people as well; […]

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For many of us, our pets are beloved members of our family. However, too often they are not considered when people are developing their estate plans. People just assume that a family member will take them when they die, or that they will outlive their pets. Unfortunately, however, companion animals often end up in shelters […]

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