Estate planning is something that you know you should do, but probably is not something that you want to do. It’s not exactly fun to think about because, after all, no one wants to think about getting sick or passing away. However, if something unexpected does happen, having a solid plan in place can make life a lot easier for you and your loved ones. The good news is, estate planning doesn’t have to be complicated. You also don't need to be wealthy to benefit from making an estate plan. … [Read more...] about Do You Have These Estate Planning Documents That Experts Recommend?
Estate Planning
5 Tasks Not To Forget When Making an Estate Plan
Creating an estate plan is one of the most important things you might ever do in your lifetime. But very surprisingly, a lot of people aren't doing it. Caring.com says that in 2025, only 24% of people have a will. That's somewhat shocking given how important estate planning is. If you're going to create an estate plan, though, then it's very important to do it correctly. With that in mind, here are a few tasks you should not overlook in the course of putting your estate plan in place. 1. … [Read more...] about 5 Tasks Not To Forget When Making an Estate Plan
How to Decide Who Will be The Best Guardian for Your Kids
Choosing a guardian for your children is one of the most important parts of your estate planning process. It's not fun to think about what would happen if you weren’t around to raise your kids, but it's also essential to be prepared because you will put your kids in a very difficult spot -- and make life much harder for everyone -- if you don't plan for what could happen if you aren't here to raise your kids into adulthood. There's a lot to think about as you decide who would be a good … [Read more...] about How to Decide Who Will be The Best Guardian for Your Kids
No More Cheeseburgers in Paradise
Jimmy Buffett’s brand of music inspired a way of life dedicated to relaxing. A trip to Key West, Florida embodies everything Jimmy held dear and serves as the backdrop to many of his songs. More than one city hosts a restaurant titled after his hit song, “Margaritaville.” While Buffett appeared to live a carefree lifestyle full of fun, his 2023 death alerted us that his passing left some issues unresolved. My friend and colleague Tereina Stidd, an estate planning expert, has looked into the … [Read more...] about No More Cheeseburgers in Paradise
Estate Planning: There’s Something Here for Everyone – Part II
In Part 1 of this blog, we examined the benefits of creating an Estate Plan and made the point that while many individuals mistakenly think that they need only a “simple plan” because they don’t have significant assets or have few beneficiaries, that’s simply not true. This second part of the series will examine the most common mistakes that occur in an Estate Plan and how to avoid them. Of course, any individual who fails to create an Estate Plan makes the biggest mistake of all. Failing to … [Read more...] about Estate Planning: There’s Something Here for Everyone – Part II
Proper Estate Planning Brings Peace of Mind During a Disaster
California is no stranger to natural calamaties. From wild fires, like the recent inferno in Los Angeles, to the ever-present possibility of an earthquake, we must be vigilant in our preparations for such events. While it is commonly thought that estate planning isn’t just about securing your legacy, it is also about protecting your assets and loved ones when disaster strikes. Updating an outdated Estate Plan or creating a new one provides a set of instructions for your family regarding what … [Read more...] about Proper Estate Planning Brings Peace of Mind During a Disaster
Estate Planning and Baseball
Every state that recognizes trusts as legal entities, such as California, imposes fiduciary duties upon the Trustee of such trusts. These duties may have different names in different jurisdictions, but ultimately a breach of fiduciary duties means that the Trustee failed to fulfill their duties as expressed in the trust instrument and under local law. This article examines a case ripped from the headlines that demonstrates the importance of choosing the right individuals to serve as … [Read more...] about Estate Planning and Baseball
Are Irrevocable Trusts Really Irrevocable? – Part III
In this third and final installment in the series, we review the use of a Trust Protector to modify an otherwise irrevocable trust. While judicial and nonjudicial modification and decanting derive from state law, Trust Protector provisions originate from the trust instrument itself and by extension, from the grantor. Unlike many states, California has not enacted specific Trust Protector legislation. However, many trusts prepared in California include Trust Protector provisions. Commonly, … [Read more...] about Are Irrevocable Trusts Really Irrevocable? – Part III
Are Irrevocable Trusts Really Irrevocable? – Part I
For many years Estate Planning attorneys touted irrevocable trusts as an immutable way to set an estate plan in stone. As more and more states (not including California) have adopted the Uniform Trust Code that has changed. Provisions of the Uniform Trust Code allow for modification of an otherwise irrevocable trust which has altered the landscape of Estate Planning. California has passed its own legislation in recent years to address some of these issues. Background Irrevocable Trusts … [Read more...] about Are Irrevocable Trusts Really Irrevocable? – Part I
Estate Planning Mistakes to Avoid if You Want a Secure Legacy
If leaving a legacy for loved ones matters to you, it's important that you avoid certain key estate planning mistakes. In particular, there are four key errors that you don't want to make because they could cost you the chance to leave the assets that you have worked so hard for to the people that you love and care about. Here are the errors that you will want to make sure to avoid. 1. Delaying your estate planning for too long One of the biggest mistakes that you could end up making is … [Read more...] about Estate Planning Mistakes to Avoid if You Want a Secure Legacy
