One of the main advantages of a trust is that it avoids probate. A trust can be seen as an investment for the benefit of its beneficiaries. A trust is created during a client’s lifetime so that [...]
Understanding Your Domicile for Estate Planning Purposes As our society becomes more mobile and flexible, it is not uncommon for individuals to work in one state while maintaining a home in [...]
What Happens When You Can’t Find a Beneficiary During Probate? Probate is the judicial court process in which a deceased person’s will or estate is distributed. In a typical probate, the court [...]
Like any field in the practice of law, the realm of estate planning is filled with terms that many would consider “legalese.” Often times clients use the terms “trust” or “will” interchangeably [...]
The goal of estate planning is to ensure that a person’s wishes are effectuated at the time of their passing. Most people drafting an estate plan wish for their belongings to pass to those people [...]
Can I Handwrite My Own Will? California is one of 26 states which allows the creation of holographic wills. “Holographic” simply means a document wholly written by the hand of its author. A [...]
There are many methods of avoiding a formal probate. Once you have a good idea of the assets of the estate, you may take the following initial steps in order to determine what assets may require [...]
When? How often should your Estate Plan be Reviewed? Generally, you should review your estate plan at minimum every three to five years and anytime you have a major life change. This isn’t just [...]
What is a Living Trust? First and foremost, a Living Trust is a written legal document which is generally the core of your Estate Plan. Think of your Living Trust like a wall safe, a place where [...]
The purpose of probate is to make sure that, after a person dies, their assets are distributed according to their wishes, and to make sure that outstanding debts are paid.
