Many spouses who have been married for decades and own all of their assets together believe they only need one joint will. That’s especially true if they have relatively uncomplicated assets and their plan is for whichever spouse outlives the other to inherit...
Year: 2026
How digital assets fit into modern estate planning
When most people think of their estate plan, they tend to focus on physical assets such as their homes, bank accounts, vehicles and family heirlooms. But in today’s world, many of your most valuable assets and personal information exist online. From online banking...
Is a trust too restrictive?
One way to set up your estate plan is by using a trust. You can give instructions to the trustee about how they should distribute those assets to your intended beneficiary. This can give you more control. For instance, perhaps you want to make sure that the money is...
How pet trusts can help to protect companion animals
People with pets or companion animals usually want them to live long and happy lives. For older adults, those with serious medical challenges and those who own particularly long-lived animals, adding them to an estate plan may be necessary. Some people include their...
Advance health care directives provide important instructions
People who are setting up an estate plan often focus heavily on handing their assets down to their beneficiaries, but that’s not the only consideration. When crafting yours, you will also have to think about what will happen if you become incapacitated. One of the...
Updating your estate plan after a cancer diagnosis
It is important to update your estate plan periodically. One time when you may want to do so is after a serious medical diagnosis, like a cancer diagnosis. One way to address your future medical concerns is to use an advance health care directive. This is essentially...
When does a power of attorney take effect in California?
A power of attorney is a legal document that allows you to choose an agent to handle your financial or legal matters on your behalf. It is designed to provide structure and control over how decision-making authority is transferred. The scope and function of a power of...
Don’t forget record access when drafting advance directives
Advance health care directives provide instructions about medical priorities and can authorize a trustworthy person to make medical decisions on behalf of someone who is too ill or injured to advocate for themselves. Living wills, physician orders and powers of...
How Californians can limit the risk of conservatorship
Conservatorship in California is similar to adult guardianship in other states. When individuals become incapacitated and incapable of managing their own affairs, other adults can request authority from the courts to support that individual. Most people do not want to...
Is an out-of-state advance directive effective in California?
An advance health care directive, also known as a living will in some locations, is a very valuable estate planning document. It helps protect individuals from scenarios in which they might receive medical care that contradicts their personal wishes if they’re...

