We are often asked by prospective clients: “Do I need an estate plan?” This is particularly the case for folks under 40 or 50, who just can’t imagine themselves dead or incapacitated. We are also often asked about planning by our clients who have adult children with assets and children of their own. As we all know, we can't and don’t know the future. Should a premature death or disability occur due to an unexpected injury or illness, having an appropriate plan in place will reduce needless … [Read more...]
An Update On ABLE Accounts
We have previously wrote about the long-awaited arrival in California of the so-called ABLE accounts. Formally, known as an Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) account, they are a low-cost, easy-to-access plan established by federal law that began rolling out in 2016 and is now available in California. Modeled after the so-called “529 accounts”, an educational savings program offered by individual states, ABLE accounts let children or adults with disabilities incurred before age 26 … [Read more...]
What Can an Estate Plan Do for You?
Have you put off creating an estate plan? If so, have you listened to countless family members, and maybe even well-meaning friends, tell you how important it is to have an estate plan in place? While their prodding is undoubtedly well-intentioned, their time and energy might be better spent explaining to you exactly what an estate plan can do for you. Understanding the benefits of having an estate plan in place, after all, will be far more likely to prompt you to finally get started on your … [Read more...]
Do Estate Planning Lawyers Recommend Digital Estate Planning?
Having your own a customized estate plan has become more and more common. Digital estate planning has also become more common. But, what exactly is meant by digital estate planning? Nowadays, everyone has at least one digital asset, if not many. Digital assets include any property that is either based on a computer or involves the internet is some way, like online businesses and email accounts. Planning for who should inherit those assets and who should have the necessary information to access … [Read more...]
How to Avoid Intestate Succession with an Estate Plan
One of the purposes of estate planning is to prepare for your death and avoid intestate succession. The laws of intestate succession determine who gets what if you die without a will. In general terms, if you die without a will in California, your assets will go to your closest relatives. Here is what intestate succession is and how you can avoid it. California's Laws of Intestate Succession If you die with surviving children, but no spouse, parents or siblings, your children will inherit … [Read more...]
Do It Yourself Wills and Trusts are not a Quick Fix
Here's a good rule of thumb: do-it-yourself (DIY) is for remodeling and arts and crafts. Sure, there are great DIY magazines out there and DIY products online for you to try. But when it comes to drafting your will or trust, or any other estate planning tool, DIY is not the way to go. DIY wills and trusts can ultimately cause you more problems than you could imagine. Despite the low cost and simplicity of DIY wills, trusts and other online legal forms, there is still a great risk that your … [Read more...]
4 Myths About Wills and Trusts
Estate planning means preparing for possible incapacity and inevitable death. An estate plan can include many different types of documents, including wills and trusts. The variety of tools available will allow for a customized and comprehensive estate plan. There are many benefits to estate planning and there are some myths as well. Here we will dispel 4 common myths about wills and trusts. MYTH #1: Trusts are only for the rich and elderly One common misconception is that, if you are young … [Read more...]
Is a Revocable Trust Really Useful?
If you are considering whether or not to include a trust in your overall estate plan, you should first decide whether you want a revocable or irrevocable trust. Many people assume that, because a revocable trust does not provide asset protection, this type of trust is not very useful. However, that is not entirely true. As with any estate planning tool, there are advantages and disadvantages to using a revocable trust. The difference between an irrevocable and a revocable trust The major … [Read more...]
Isn’t a Trust Just a Glorified Will?
People sometimes assume that a trust is a somewhat glorified legal device that accomplishes the same thing that a will would accomplish. In fact, there are different types of trusts. Trusts can satisfy objectives that a will would not satisfy.Let's look at some of these scenarios. Estate Tax Exposure The federal estate tax is a legacy threat to high net worth families. This tax carries a 40 percent top rate, so we are talking about a very significant level of taxation.The good news is … [Read more...]
Are You Sure a Will Is the Best Choice?
If you are a golfer, club selection is very important to you. The use of the proper tool as it were can make all the difference, and this is also true when you are planning your estate.Many people assume that a Will is the best choice if you are not extremely wealthy, but there are many good reasons why you may want to use a living trust instead. Let's look at the facts. Living Trust Advantages A living trust can provide benefits that a Will would not.You have more flexibility with regard to … [Read more...]
