Setting up a charitable remainder trust (CRT) sounds like a generous act. You are pledging to give what is left of your assets to charity, all while receiving income during your lifetime. It feels like a win-win. But for some, the biggest motivation is not always...
An estate executor is the person who is named in an estate plan (or who is appointed by a court) to ensure the final wishes of the decedent are complied with. There are also other duties that this individual must perform. The duties of an estate executor can be...
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...