Estate Planning

The winter holidays represent a time when families in California come together to celebrate good times together. Because of the amount of time you spend with loved ones, winter holidays also represent a prime time to review your estate documents and discuss whether...

Some people in California who are creating an estate plan might want to consider using a spendthrift trust. This is a type of trust that can help protect a beneficiary's inheritance if the person is likely to be irresponsible with their money or might be taken...

The person who carries out the last wishes named in a California will or estate plan is an executor. It’s common for adult children to serve as the executor of their parents’ estate plan. This doesn’t mean the task is any less daunting though. There are a lot of legal...

A qualified terminable interest property trust, more commonly called a QTIP trust, gives one the ability to decide how their assets will be distributed in the event that their significant other lives longer. This might be something to consider adding to your estate...

Mediation is a popular method for solving estate planning disputes that has gained traction in recent years. However, like any other conflict resolution method, mediation has pros and cons. Advantages Mediation has many advantages. It is a highly effective way for...

When developing an estate plan in the state of Texas, you may have many different beneficiaries you are considering leaving assets for in your will. However, you may also be curious about giving part of your estate to a charity you care about. This is a noble thing to...

For the most part, children within a family in California follow a fairly tight age spread, no more than 48 months separating each child. However, sometimes an unexpected child can enter the picture, often much younger than their siblings and while you as parents are...

Developing an estate plan in California becomes more complicated as you accumulate assets. Living trusts are frequently an essential part of an estate, yet selecting a trustee for your plans can get overlooked. Before you name someone, consider the following important...

To account for unforeseen circumstances, California residents should consider preparing a durable power of attorney (POA). A durable POA is a legal document that grants an individual, known as the "principal," the authority to appoint someone else, the "agent" or...

If you are approaching retirement in California, you may want to find ways to draw a steady income after you stop working. Having sufficient money to live on is especially important if you plan on delaying Social Security payments. Establishing an income trust can...