It is not unusual for a person in Torrance to remarry later in life after a divorce or the death of a spouse. These unions can be emotionally fulfilling but they do present issues when it comes to estate planning, specifically if one or both spouses has adult children...
Blog
The basics of durable powers of attorney in California
Estate planning often focuses on the creation of wills and the execution of trusts. However, most California residents can benefit from executing another form of important estate planning device: a durable power of attorney. This informational post will introduce...
There’s more to conservatorship than you might think
California's conservatorship law has been in the news all over the world lately due to developments in the ongoing saga of Britney Spears. The pop singer's case case is fascinating, and raises many profound issues, but it is also highly unusual in many aspects. There...
Understanding special needs trusts
Many families in southern California have members who suffer from one or more disabilities, and their ability to undertake gainful employment is severely limited. Anyone who is making an estate plan that will contain provisions for the care of persons with special...
What are some steps to navigating a loved one’s estate plan
If one has watched the news at any point for the last year, they have likely heard about the importance of estate planning. Indeed, with all the craziness that pervaded every second of the past 12 to 16 months, one of the few things we had control over is planning,...
What happens during probate?
Probate is a legal term that many California residents have heard and probably associate with something negative. It is often said that probate should be avoided whenever possible, but not everyone takes the proactive steps of preparing an estate plan to accomplish...
Family dynamics can affect the distribution of your assets
If you’ve put off estate planning for quite a while, you’re not alone. Most people find it hard to come to terms with their own mortality, and a lot of those individuals feel like they don’t need a complicated estate plan. But foregoing estate planning altogether is a...
Revoking a will: an overview
While it would be preferable to only ever have to make one will, significant life changes often require us to regularly change or amend our wills. There are a range of different reasons you might need to revoke or amend a will in order for it to accurately reflect how...
The importance of testamentary capacity in drafting a will
A will is a useful testamentary tool that can help convey a California resident’s intentions for the disposition of their end-of-life estate to both their loved ones and the legal system. A will can provide instructions for the care of the decedent’s minor children,...
Two tips that can help you avoid the estate tax
Those in the Torrance area with significant wealth may have been very strategic in the investment and growth of their wealth. However, despite their careful planning, if they are nearing the tax-exemption limit, they may owe estate taxes upon their death. The current...
