Estate planning isn’t just about legal documents and distribution strategies—it’s also about finding ways to transfer wealth to the next generation harmoniously. Yet, for many families, talking about money, death and the future can feel awkward or even taboo. Whether...
We’ve talked here before about the importance of putting an advance health care directive in place and naming a health care agent as part of your estate planning. This can help ensure that your wishes for end-of-life care are known and followed if you suffer a...
Family businesses are very common. According to some reports, there are more than 24 million of them in the United States. Many of these are small, just run by the original founder and their family members. However, as often as you see family businesses, they do face...
Death is inevitable, and you want to ensure that your heirs and beneficiaries are taken care of once you are gone. But not all people are equipped with the financial savvy to handle access to large sums of money. In some cases, heirs blow through their inheritances...
Running a successful business takes foresight, hard work and planning. For example, putting a business succession plan in place can make the difference between short-term and long-term success for a particular enterprise. Whether you operate a family-owned enterprise,...
Have you ever wondered what happens to someone’s estate if they die before they make an estate plan? Something still has to be done with all of their assets, and state law is responsible for determining exactly what procedures should be followed. If someone passes...
People who are creating an estate plan have a variety of options for getting their beneficiaries the assets they want them to have. One option is to use an irrevocable trust, which is a legal arrangement that’s set up while the creator is living for the purpose of...
Incorporating charitable giving into your estate plan is a powerful way to leave a legacy that reflects your values, supports causes you care about and makes a lasting impact on the world. For many people in California, the process of estate planning offers an...
If you own a business in California, including it in your estate plan is vital. Planning ahead protects your hard work, avoids costly delays and gives your loved ones peace of mind. Here are three popular options for handling your business in your estate plan. 1. Set...
You drafted your estate plan years ago, but now you are doing an update and reviewing your decisions. Specifically, there is one child you initially included who has developed problematic spending habits. You are worried that they are just going to waste the...