Estate planning allows you to state your wishes should you become incapacitated or die. These include how to distribute assets, how to and who will raise your kids and who should make decisions on your behalf. Anyone above 18 years and of sound mind in California has...
Estate Planning
Are there any disadvantages to creating a spendthrift trust?
Do you have an irresponsible spender among your loved ones? You’re not alone. Nearly every family has at least one member who has trouble holding on to money. You probably have concerns about what will happen to the monetary gifts you leave behind for these loved...
Why talk to your loved ones about your estate plan?
Your estate plan is your business. From your choice of who you want to serve as your power of attorney in the event of a debilitating accident to how you wish your assets to be distributed upon your death, the details of your estate plan are yours to determine. With...
Do your loved ones know your wishes about an anatomical gift?
What happens to someone's body after their death can have profound implications for their family members. Burials are often expensive, but they at least provide a location for those struggling with their grief to visit and remember someone. Cremation can also give...
Do you need a financial power of attorney?
Many people think estate planning only has to do with passing assets down to your beneficiaries. This isn’t the case. You can also set up your plan for what will happen if you’re incapacitated. One component of this is designating a power of attorney for your...
2 questions to ask when appointing a Power of Attorney
A power of attorney is an extremely crucial part of the estate planning process. This legal document plans for your incapacity or inability to make vital decisions on your own. If you were to become gravely ill, lose consciousness following a car wreck or slide into a...
Understanding probate and how to avoid it
When you die, your estate will go through probate. This court-controlled process is used to validate your will and ensure it is executed based on your wishes. When described in this way, probate seems simple. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, and there are...
Estate planning: What is a Power of Attorney?
You might think that your family will automatically manage your affairs and make financial or health decisions on your behalf when you become incapacitated. However, it is not the case. For instance, a bank won’t let your kin withdraw funds from your account without...
What a will can do for you
If you’re young then you may not have thought about estate planning yet. If you’re an elderly individual then you may feel intimidated by the process. The truth is that estate planning can benefit anyone and drafting a will is something that you should certainly think...
What you need to know about disinheriting family members
Creating an estate plan is the responsible thing to do. This is true for everyone, even if you have limited assets and no children. However, when you create your estate plan, you should remember – it’s not a “set-it-and-forget-it” legal document (documents). As your...