Posts Tagged ‘Trusts’
What to Do When a Trustee is Untrustworthy
A trustee is legally required to administer a trust solely in the interests of the beneficiaries. So, what can you do as the beneficiary if you feel the trustee has breached his or her fiduciary duty? As an Irvine estate attorney, I would like to share some remedies to consider when you find yourself dealing…
Read More5 Legal and Financial Moves to Make Before the Year-End
As 2019 draws to a close, it may be time to take a fresh look at your financial and legal documents to ensure that your affairs are in order and that you are ending the year on a solid foundation before the estate planning year-end. This is especially important if you’ve experienced any notable life…
Read MoreOrange County Will and Trust Lawyer: 5 Things to Consider When Choosing a Guardian for Your Child
No parent likes to think about the possibility of dying while their children are still young. Regardless of how uncomfortable the issue may be, it’s important to name someone to care for your minor children if you pass away. As an Orange County will and trust lawyer, I can tell you that choosing a guardian…
Read MoreHow to “Marie Kondo” Your Financial Life and Streamline Your Estate Planning Process
Listen to the Audio Version If you’re not familiar with Marie Kondo, take some time this week to watch one of her videos on YouTube or check out her new Netflix series, Tidying Up with Marie Kondo. It’s incredible to watch the relief and joy that people experience just by implementing her simple strategies to…
Read MoreEstate Planning for Military Families and Veterans in California
Although Memorial Day just passed, it is important to honor those that have served our country. This time is also a good opportunity for members of the military and their loved ones to consider setting up an – or revising an existing – estate plan. Military families need to consider special estate-planning issues that others…
Read MoreNew Baby? Time to Create Your Estate Plan
Estate planning is often one item that gets pushed back on nearly everyone’s to-do list. That’s especially the case when you are so focused on loving and caring for your new bundle of joy. The other reasons you might be delaying vary: lack of time, not thinking you have enough assets, not knowing how to…
Read MoreWhy You Should Sweat the Small Stuff in Your Estate Plan
When planning their estates, most people focus on major assets, such as business interests, real estate, investments and retirement plans. But it’s also important to “sweat the small stuff” — tangible personal property. Examples include automobiles, jewelry, clothing, antiques, furniture, artwork, photographs, music collections, personal papers, collectibles (such as stamps, coins or baseball cards) and…
Read MoreSweat the Small Stuff in Your Estate Plan
When planning their estates, most people focus on major assets, such as business interests, real estate, investments and retirement plans. But it’s also important to “sweat the small stuff” — tangible personal property. Examples include automobiles, jewelry, clothing, antiques, furniture, artwork, photographs, music collections, personal papers, collectibles (such as stamps, coins or baseball cards) and…
Read MoreThree Legal Things to Do After a Scary Health Diagnosis
A scary health diagnosis can be emotionally and logistically challenging for many reasons. For instance, how can you take care of your family if you’re physically incapacitated? In addition to working closely with your medical providers, consider these three legal tips: Check your estate plan with your attorney to make sure it is up to…
Read MoreHow to Get Your Estate Planning Done in Just 10 Minutes
Research tells us that the majority of Americans today still do not have estate planning in place and only a third of parents have properly named legal guardians for their minor children. That’s problematic because life happens to all of us and gives none of us a heads up. But our message this week is not about…
Read MoreChecking Your Estate Plan: Is It a Trick or a Treat?
When was the last time you reviewed your estate plan? Do you know if it will work when you need it to and be a treat for your loved ones to manage? Or is there a nasty trick lying in wait? Get our Estate Plan Checklist to give your plan a quick audit. It’s no…
Read MoreThe Estate Planning and Conversations You and Your Spouse Need to Have
When was the last time you and your spouse discussed your estate planning? We know it is probably not on your list of “date night” conversations. In fact, many of our friends, family, and even professionals we work with tell us that once they create their estate plan, they consider it finalized and do not…
Read MoreHow to Plan for a Loved One Who Has Autism
If you have the responsibility of a loved one with autism, the fate of this person’s future is in your hands. Planning for this person’s future is not a task to take lightly, or to begin without careful planning. Although the specific needs of an autistic individual can vary greatly depending on the severity of…
Read MoreHow to Plan for Your Client’s Growing Family
If your clients are having a child, adopting, or marrying a spouse with children, you may already be meeting with them to discuss the family’s finances—everything from managing current costs to providing for the children’s future. But in those discussions, give them a huge gift: Let them know an estate plan is essential for any…
Read MoreInheriting Your Parents’ Home? Do These 3 Things First.
Recently we have been encountering a number of adult children who are are having difficulty administering their parents’ estates after they pass away. One problem area has been with property tax reassessments. While a property tax reassessment can be avoided when a child inherits a parent’s’ home under California law, this parent-child exemption is not automatic! Instead, a Claim for…
Read MoreDoes a New President Mean a New Estate Plan?
The inauguration of President Donald Trump has come and gone and a new administration begins. But what does it mean for you in regards to your estate plan and protecting what matters most? A frequent topic of conversation throughout the election was tax reform, specifically the repeal of the estate tax and how income and…
Read MoreHelpful Gifting Strategies for Beneficiaries
Everyone loves giving gifts at the holidays and the exchange of joy it brings. But have you considered how gifting to your loved ones can be part of your estate plan and the legacy you leave? Gifting strategies are for everyone, not just for the wealthy. If you have amassed any kind of assets in…
Read MoreTalking Turkey About Estate Planning This Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving offers times to reflect on what we are most grateful for in life. For many of us this includes our relationships with family. While they are not far from our hearts, we are often separated by hectic schedules or distance. Having a set time to get together to celebrate allows us to be present with each other and…
Read MoreThe Pitfalls of a Do-It-Yourself Estate Plan and How to Avoid Them
When the term “Do-It-Yourself” or “DIY” comes to mind, what do you think of? A weekend spent working hard on a home improvement project? An evening putting together your kid’s new bicycle? DIT projects can bring a lot of joy and pride from realizing you’ve accomplished something great on your own. On the other hand, doing…
Read MoreAn Easy Guide to Start Your Digital Assets Estate Plan
In our last blog post (click here) we discussed the reasons why it is important to include digital assets in your estate plan. Now let’s talk about how you take action and begin that process! Make A List To start, make a list of all of your online accounts, technological devices, and other digital assets. …
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