The Costly Consequences of Poor Estate Planning: A Case Study of James...
James Gandolfini, best known for his role as Tony Soprano on the hit TV show “The Sopranos,” passed away unexpectedly in 2013. His estate plan, which became public knowledge due to probate, raised...
View ArticleUnderstanding California's New Directed Trust Law: Simplifying Estate...
As of January 1, 2024, California has introduced a significant update to its estate planning laws with the enactment of the California Uniform Directed Trust Act, Senate Bill No. 801, joining 46 other...
View ArticleThe Importance of Power of Attorney and Health Care Documents for Your Young...
The Importance of Power of Attorney and Health Care Documents for Your Young Adult ChildrenAs many young people are preparing to graduate and leave home for the first time to attend college or are...
View ArticleWhy You Should Create or Update Your Estate Plan Before Heading on Summer...
Summer is almost here, and many of us are excitedly planning our vacations. Whether you're dreaming of a beach getaway, an adventurous road trip, or a quiet retreat, it's important to take care of some...
View ArticleUnderstanding Trustee Fiduciary Duties and Beneficiaries' Rights: A Look at...
The children of the late music icon Tony Bennett are currently embroiled in a legal dispute over the management of his estate. Bennett's daughters, Johanna and Antonia Bennett, have filed a lawsuit...
View ArticleUnderstanding Prop 19 and Maintaining Property Tax in California:...
California's property tax system has undergone significant changes due to various propositions aimed at regulating property tax assessments and transfers. To understand how to maintain your parents'...
View ArticleUnderstanding Probate Fees in California: The Importance of an Estate Plan...
Probate is a legal process that occurs after someone dies, involving the validation of their will, inventorying their property, paying debts and taxes, and distributing the remaining assets to heirs....
View ArticleHow Divorce Impacts Your Estate Planning Documents: Trusts, Powers of...
Divorce is a significant life event that can have profound effects on various aspects of your life, including your estate planning documents. In California, these documents, which include your trust,...
View ArticleHow to Handle Out-of-State Property in Your California Estate Plan
When crafting a comprehensive estate plan in California, it's essential to consider how to handle any out-of-state property you may own. Whether it's a vacation home, an investment property, or...
View ArticleHow a Pre-Nuptial Agreement Can Affect Your Estate Plan in California
When planning for the future, many couples consider a pre-nuptial agreement (often referred to as a "prenup" or a “premarital” agreement) to protect their assets and outline financial arrangements in...
View ArticleChildren off to College? Is It Time to Update Your Estate Plan as an Empty...
As summer draws to a close and the school year begins, many parents are experiencing a significant life transition—becoming empty nesters. Whether your youngest has just started college or your last...
View ArticleProtect Your Home from Title Fraud with San Diego County's Free Owner Alert...
In today's digital age, the threat of fraud is not limited to your bank accounts or credit cards. One lesser-known but equally dangerous form of fraud is title fraud, where criminals forge documents to...
View ArticleUnderstanding Spousal Lifetime Access Trusts (SLATs) for Large Estates
Imagine you have a big box of toys and you want to make sure that your friends can play with them while also keeping them safe. A Spousal Lifetime Access Trust, aka “SLAT”, is like a special toy box...
View ArticleUnderstanding the Murdoch Family Battle Over Trusts: Can an Irrevocable Trust...
The ongoing battle between Rupert Murdoch and his children over control of their family’s multibillion-dollar media empire is a complex one. It raises a fascinating question; can you change a legal...
View ArticleUnderstanding Secure Act 2.0: New Rules for Beneficiaries of Inherited...
In 2019, the original SECURE Act (Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement) significantly changed how beneficiaries inherit qualified retirement accounts, such as 401(k)s or IRAs. The...
View ArticleThe Benefits of Creating a Retirement Plan Trust for Multiple Children Where...
The SECURE Act 2.0 has brought significant changes to how retirement accounts are inherited, particularly when it comes to the payout period for beneficiaries. One of the most notable provisions under...
View ArticleWhy the Upcoming Election Makes It Important to Review Your Estate Plan
With the upcoming election, many changes could be on the horizon, particularly in tax policy, and this makes now the perfect time to review your estate plan. Many are already focusing on potential...
View ArticleDo You Need a Trust if You Already Have a Will?
Estate planning is an essential process for ensuring that your assets and legacy are protected and distributed according to your wishes. In California, many people believe that having a will alone is...
View ArticleThe Pros and Cons of Outright Distribution vs. Continuing Trusts in...
When setting up a revocable trust in California, one of the key decisions is whether to leave property to beneficiaries through outright distribution or in a continuing trust. Both options have...
View Article6 Critical Reasons Why It's Important to Establish or Update Your Estate Plan...
As the end of the year approaches, many of us focus on holiday preparations, travel plans, and spending time with loved ones. While it’s easy to get caught up in the season’s festivities, it’s also an...
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