If your mom (or dad) has a revocable living trust and has now been diagnosed with dementia or another condition affecting mental capacity, the successor trustee is going to have to step. If that is you, you need to understand your responsibilities and take them seriously. Many people in this situation feel overwhelmed, scared of making a mistake, and unsure…
You have heard the common estate planner saying, “make sure your beneficiary designation forms are filled out!” Yet, one of the most critical and often overlooked aspects of the estate planning process is properly filling out a beneficiary designation form after creating an estate plan. Beneficiary designation forms are filled out for retirement accounts like 401(k)s, IRAs, and even pensions…
As young adults embark on the journey toward independence, many significant milestones exist to celebrate. From securing your first job to getting married or purchasing a home, each milestone presents new opportunities and responsibilities. While estate planning might seem reserved for older individuals, it is a crucial step to take as soon as you reach certain key milestones. Below are…
One of the noteworthy pieces of legislation passed in 2024 was Assembly Bill 2016 (AB 2016), which aims to address accessibility, efficiency, and fairness within California’s probate procedures. Probate is the court process through which a deceased person’s assets are administered and distributed to beneficiaries and heirs. It can be a complex, time-consuming, and expensive process. AB 2016 seeks to…
As the cooler weather dawns upon us, we cannot help but feel the nostalgia of the Holiday season looming in the distance. The Holidays inevitably bring together loved ones from all over to share in the celebration of family, gratitude, and the togetherness of people from near and far. Because having all your loved ones under the same roof is…
How to Protect Separate Property in Estate Planning Estate planning in California can be complex, significantly when differentiating between separate and community property. This distinction is crucial for ensuring your assets are distributed according to your wishes. In this blog post, we’ll focus on individual property, what it entails, how it is handled in California estate planning, and the steps…
