Death is a topic many of us prefer to avoid, but as responsible adults, planning for the future includes considering what will happen to our assets when we’re no longer around. US Savings Bonds are a common investment choice for many Americans due to their low risk and reliability. However, what happens to these bonds after the bondholder passes away…
Many couples are choosing to wait longer to get married, or choosing to not get married at all while sharing a life and co-owning property together. Estate planning can be especially important for unmarried couples in these situations. While marriage offers certain legal protections, unmarried couples face unique challenges when it comes to estate planning, particularly with jointly owned assets…
In the realm of estate planning, a will without a trust stands as an important document, orchestrating the distribution of assets and the fulfillment of wishes after one’s passing. In California, the statutory will serve as a convenient template for many individuals seeking to outline their testamentary intentions. While there are times when a statutory will may be sufficient –…
For this four-part series, we are discussing very common scenarios that we see in our trust administrations where real estate is involved. Real estate, particularly the family home, often has emotional and sentimental components that throw a wrench in trust administrations. Beneficiaries often have different ideas of what to do with the family home. We will continue using the same…
Real property is often the most complicated trust asset for trustees to manage. Trustees often want to do their best while also pleasing the beneficiaries, who are often their siblings or family members, and still follow the terms of the trust. This four-part series will discuss common scenarios in our trust administrations involving real estate. To begin this discussion, some…