In California, understanding the role of probate judges in administering an estate can help you navigate the complexities of estate planning and asset distribution. Understanding some of the judge's duties and responsibilities allows you to gain insight and make more...
Planning For A Secure Future
Month: June 2021
How divorce impacts estate planning
When California residents go through a divorce, their estate plans are usually the furthest things from their minds. Instead of thinking about wills, trusts and medical directives, most people start thinking about their immediate financial needs, child custody...
Estate accounts in California
If this is the first time that you've been an executor of the estate of someone who has recently passed, you likely have some questions about how you're supposed to settle some of the financial aspects of the process. And if you're a loved one of the deceased and a...
What are the benefits of estate planning?
Several misconceptions surround estate planning in California, including the idea that it only benefits those with significant wealth. Instead, estate planning provides many benefits for people from all walks of life, regardless of their age or the value of their...
Jumpstart retirement savings in 2023
With rising healthcare costs, the possibility of Social Security insolvency and longer life expectancy, preparing for retirement in California is more important than ever before. Here are a few tips to help you jumpstart the retirement-saving process in 2023. Ensure...
Talking with your kids about estate planning
Talking to your children about estate planning is essential if you're a parent in California. Age-appropriate conversations prepare your kids for the inevitability of death and the importance of managing finances. Keeping it simple is best When you approach the topic...
Estate planning tips for single individuals in California
Estate planning is a difficult and emotionally taxing process for anyone in California. But single individuals might have a harder time starting the process. This is partly because it can be hard to start a conversation about estate planning without someone else in...
What to keep in mind while choosing an attorney-in-fact
As a California adult, when you begin and continue the process of planning your estate, you may want to create a power of attorney to take effect in the event that you become incapacitated. The person who you choose to act as your agent in such an event is also known...
What is a California Totten trust?
A Totten trust is a bank account some California residents establish during estate planning. Any assets you place into the account are transferred to a beneficiary after death. A Totten trust goes by other names, including a tentative trust or a payable-on-death bank...
How to handle the family home in your California estate plan
California adults might have a difficult time navigating estate planning conversations. No one wants to think about what happens after their parents die. While difficult, these conversations can answer many unknowns that make it easier for adult children when the time...