Estate Planning

Estate planning sees to it that the assets in your will are distributed and managed according to your wishes while also protecting your family from unnecessary stress. Many people delay this process, but planning ahead provides clarity and peace of mind. Whether you...

Movies have left many people with the impression that beneficiaries receive their inheritance as soon as the will is read. However, that is rarely the case because, when someone dies, their estate typically has to first go through probate. What is probate, how long...

If you have already made an estate plan, then set a reminder for every couple of years to review it. Making sure your estate plan reflects your current reality leaves you and others better prepared if something were to happen to you, such as a serious accident or the...

Wills must meet various legal standards to be enforceable in California. They need to include appropriate testamentary language. They also require the signature of the testator, although an agent can sign on an individual's behalf in cases where medical issues may...

When you add a power of attorney to your estate plan, you can make it unique by determining exactly what powers you’re turning over to your agent. Maybe you want them to be able to make medical decisions, or perhaps you want to give them the ability to access your...

In most states, to receive long-term care that is funded by Medicaid, there is a five-year look-back period in which patients may not transfer or gift any of their assets. If they do, they will then be subjected to the penalty phase and become responsible for paying...

If you have a safe deposit box at a local financial institution, it’s crucial not to forget about it as you create your estate plan. That’s particularly true if it contains valuable jewelry, a coin collection or other items you plan to leave to loved ones or other...

Creating your estate plan means that you have to think about things like who you want to get your assets after you pass away, but you can’t neglect others like who will make decisions about your medical care if you’re incapacitated. The healthcare power of attorney is...

Children initiate estate planning conversations with their parents for various reasons. It might be triggered by an event, for example, witnessing another family go through a difficult time due to a lack of a will, or it may stem from concern or a desire for clarity...

You may think that you only have to consider your assets when you’re creating an estate plan, but that’s not the case. One major part of an estate plan is setting up what should happen if you become incapacitated, which means you’re unable to make decisions about your...