A financial power of attorney may be a useful estate planning tool. In California, a person called the principal can designate financial decision-making authority to another person, called an agent. The document gives the agent the power to manage, dispose of and sell...
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How are conservators chosen?
People in California are willing to help out their loved ones when they are in need of help. Some people are more in need of help than others though. Sometimes loved ones may have mental or physical disabilities since birth that they will be living with for their...
California’s homestead exemption is now more generous
When this blog writes about estate planning, we often talk about trusts and various estate planning instruments. However, part of solid estate plan includes what to do with one’s home, and here in California, our state’s new generous homestead exemption must be...
Ensuring loved ones’ access to your bank account after your death
It is often one’s hope that their loved ones have their affairs in order. Assuming that everything will pass onto an heir following their passing may be an incorrect presumption to make. It is very possible that a loved one will not be able to carry out the deceased’s...
Transferring property after a person dies
When a resident of California dies without leaving a will, transferring that person’s property can be very complex. An overview of these complexities can often provide a convincing argument for drafting a will and preparing an estate plan directing the manner in which...
Estate planning for blended families
Looking into the future is difficult for many who live in California and elsewhere who have put off estate planning or have not updated existing estate documents. But overseeing present and future financial responsibilities in family matters can get much more...
Two ways to pay for nursing home care in California
As your parents grow old, they may start relying on you to help them with small daily tasks. Perhaps you are mowing their lawn or helping them grocery shop. However, a person’s mental and physical health can always take an unexpected turn for the worse. Soon, you may...
What are the four basic estate planning documents?
Estate planning has been a hot topic over the last year or two, which is not that surprising considering the pervasive uncertainty within the economy. But, as our readers have seen in our posts on the subject, estate planning can become complicated, quickly. This is...
Key legal facts about revoking a will in California
In California, creating an estate plan is a fundamental aspect of being fully prepared for the future. A will is the most basic part of an estate plan and can be relatively simple. However, it is imperative that the document is specifically tailored to the person’s...
What type of trust should I choose?
The estate planning process can be complicated for the average person who has never had any experience navigating the world of wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and other estate planning documents. Choosing the trust that best suits your needs can be one of the most...
