As a parent, you may consider estate planning something that you should do alone. These are your decisions about your money and your assets. No one gets to make those choices for you. Strictly speaking, of course, you’re right. These are decisions that you get to...
Many people think about their assets and children when they’re coming up with an estate plan. This leaves a very important member of the family out of the equation: Your pets. Making sure that your pets are taken care of if something happens to you has to be a...
Physicians have demanding jobs that require absolute precision, careful attention to detail and years of intensive education. They can command competitive wages, especially if they have a skilled or in-demand specialization, like cardiac surgery. The average person...
Trusts are useful tools for those planning legacies in part because they give people control over their property even after they die. In a standard inheritance, the beneficiaries assume control over an asset as soon as the estate transfers it to them. When you use a...
Women in California and elsewhere, regardless of their marital or parental status, should have an estate plan. It allows you to make your wishes clear and in accordance with the law regarding, for example, who gets your assets when you die or if you become...
There is no doubt that all adults should have at least a rudimentary estate plan in place. But that becomes even more important when you have children — especially if they are still minors. Your first concern is likely who will assume guardianship of your minor...
The biggest of all estate planning mistakes is failing to have one. The second biggest is to start planning too late. Merril Lynch Wealth Management found that a staggering 72% of Americans aged 55 or older did not have all the recommended estate planning documents in...
When you make your estate plan, it is important to remember that life can be unpredictable. You cannot rely on the fact that you will live to a ripe old age. Consider if your children would be mature enough to handle their inheritance if you died within the next few...
Creating an estate plan is one of the most responsible things you can do to take care of your loved ones. However, estate plans are about much more than deciding who gets your life insurance money and savings accounts. Deciding what to do with your California home is...
“Estate planning? That’s only for when I’m older or have more stuff.” If you’ve thought some version of this, you may be in for a surprise. Estate planning is important for all adults over the age of 18 in the state of California. A comprehensive estate plan protects...
