When you begin the estate planning process, make sure that you plan for all of your assets and property, including antiques and other unique assets. These personal property items can make the trust or estate administration process more complex, so it is essential to...
If you are ready to get started with estate planning, the best way to begin is to call an estate-planning attorney and set up a meeting. In order to make the estate planning process go as smoothly as possible, it is helpful to do some preparation before you meet with...
If you have recently been named the trustee of a loved one’s trust, there are some essential responsibilities that you will have in order to fulfill your duties as the trustee. It can be helpful to know what to expect about the trust administration process before...
If you have been named the trustee of a trust and the creator of that trust has recently passed away, you may be wondering how to get started with your duties. An attorney can help you throughout the trust administration process, but it can be helpful to have an idea...
If you are just getting started with the process of estate planning, you are probably wondering what your options are. You may already be familiar with some of the standard estate planning tools such as wills and trusts. However, many people are unaware of how legal...
The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to get started on your New Year’s resolution to finally get around to creating or updating your estate plans. This is an ideal time to reflect on the events of the previous year, such as family weddings, divorces, and...
If you are a resident of California, the recently passed Proposition 19 could impact your estate planning. Proposition 19 includes two changes to California property tax assessments that all California residents should be aware of. Estate Planning in California The...
The SECURE Act went into effect on January 1, 2020. The SECURE Act stands for Setting Every Community Up for Retirement. This Act includes some significant changes to retirement plans—some of these are the biggest changes that the U.S. has seen in decades. Since it...
Many Americans are part of a blended family. A blended family is a family unit in which one or both parents have a child or children from a previous relationship—and have combined these families into one new family. With blended families, there are some additional...
If you are just getting started with the estate and legacy planning process, your number one focus may be how to maximize what you leave to your family and your favorite charities. You may also have some concerns about how taxes will be paid on your estate. However,...