As long as your parents are still legally competent, they can execute a power of attorney. However, if you want to avoid a claim that you, as their child, have improperly procured the document for your own benefit, you should have your parents contact a California estate planning attorney directly to assist them. A California […]
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4 Estate Planning Tips for Blended Families
Estate planning is essential and beneficial for all families. Through estate planning, individuals can ensure their loved ones are taken care of after their death. However, estate planning for blended families can be challenging. There may be questions about dividing assets among children from a previous relationship and the children of the marriage. A spouse […]
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The SECURE Act Special Report
The SECURE Act, which got made into law in 2019 and became effective on January 1, 2020, changed the rules about contributions to Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs). As with other changes to federal law, the SECURE Act is complicated. You might want to talk to a California estate planning attorney about how the SECURE Act […]
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What Makes a Great Estate Plan
It is a common misconception that a person who has a will has an estate plan. While it is better to have a will than to die intestate (without a will), a thorough estate plan can do much more than merely state who gets your things after your death. A California estate planning attorney can […]
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Can Adopted-Out Children Still Inherit From Their Biological Parents?
In California, specific laws govern the inheritance rights of adopted children. Generally, adopted children are entitled to the same inheritance rights as their adoptive parents’ biological children. But can legally adopted children still inherit from their biological parents? California estate planning attorneys regularly help clients understand the inheritance rights of adopted children under California law. […]
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What’s the Difference Between a Power of Attorney and Conservatorship?
As you consider your estate plan, it’s important you work with an experienced California estate planning attorney. A holistic approach to estate planning includes provisions for what will happen after you die, as well as for the management of your affairs if you become mentally or physically incapacitated. Talk to your estate planning attorney about […]
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Who Inherits When There Is No Will in California?
When a person dies without leaving a valid will or trust, that person has died “intestate.” Failing to ever make a will or create a trust document could cause intestacy, but many other events could also invalidate a will or make a will impossible to probate. A California estate planning attorney can help you protect […]
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What Happens to Unpaid Bills and Creditors in a Probate Matter?
The California Probate Code sets out the rules about the payment of debts of decedents in Sections 11420 – 11429. If your close relative died recently, you might be wondering what happens to unpaid bills and creditors in a probate matter. A California probate attorney could handle the administration of the estate so that you […]
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Signs of Undue Influence in Elderly Estate Planning
It sounds like the plot of a movie – someone tricks, pressures, or forces an older adult to change their will or trust, cutting out everyone else from the inheritance and leaving all or most of the assets to the person who exerted undue influence. California law is intended to protect people from this financial […]
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What Documents Should be Included in Your Estate Planning?
Some people think they do not need an estate plan unless they are married, own a home, have children, and own significant assets. But that is not always the case. A young, single person could have a devastating accident or illness. Without a power of attorney for healthcare decisions, the family might have to go […]
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