Estate planning involves many more steps than drawing up a will or devising power of attorney forms although such things are often essential. California residents might wish to look outside the box and think about property, assets, and digital accounts. People with...
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What is incapacity planning?
When you write your will in California, you're not just planning for your death. You're also planning for the time leading up to your death. If you ever end up incapacitated, it's important to make decisions ahead of time before someone else makes them for you. What...
Should you try to avoid probate?
If you die without a will in California, your estate will go through probate. Even if you leave a will behind, your estate might go through probate anyway to give people the chance to contest your will. Probate can be useful in certain situations, but you might want...
What are benefits to estate planning?
Individuals with significant assets, including multiple properties and vast brokerage accounts, may see estate planning's value. Others might not, which is unfortunate. Estate planning could be for everyone in California since writing a will or drawing up other...
How to get started with estate planning
If you are an adult, live in California and do not have an estate plan, you should create one even if you do not have many assets. There are several key elements you ought to include. Roles in your estate plan There are a few different things to consider based on your...
Keeping your estate plan private
Many California residents may want to keep their estate plans private so that information relating to their assets and debts does not become public. Wills go through probate, which is a public process, so people might want to consider various alternatives. Trusts...
Should you talk to your children about your estate plan?
When you start planning your estate in California, you might be wondering if you should inform your adult children. On one hand, it might be a good idea to keep your children informed so they know how to handle your estate after your death. But on the other hand, you...
The documents necessary in an estate plan
If a person in California dies without an estate plan, the state will decide what happens to that person's assets. The outcome could be very different from the person's wishes, and for this reason, all adults should consider having an estate plan. A last will and...
When to make changes to a will
Californians with any assets or property to their name should consider drafting a will regardless of their age. Wills can help ensure that assets are allocated to beneficiaries as intended. It is also important to revise wills when needed to add beneficiaries, such as...
Estate planning: wills vs. trusts
In California and across the U.S., it is important to have an estate plan. This plan can be guided by a will, one or more trusts, or a combination of both. Usually, either the will or the trust will have primary importance in an estate plan. When individuals use a...
