If you want to ensure that you are leaving behind a strong legacy for your loved ones, there are a few key estate planning tasks that you will need to take care of. Unfortunately, far too many people neglect to put the right plans in place, which means that they risk losing the chance to enrich future generations and provide for loved ones left behind. You don't want this to be your fate, so be sure to complete these five key estate planning tasks to build the legacy that you deserve after a … [Read more...] about Doing These Tasks Can Help Cement Your Legacy

One of the most important things you might do in your lifetime is prepare for what happens after you're no longer alive. But many Americans do not have a solid estate plan in place. Trust & Will says that 55% of Americans have no estate plan at all. Meanwhile, 31% have a will, and 11% have set up a trust. It can be an emotional and difficult thing to think about estate planning. But if you're currently in the process of putting an estate plan in place, you may be considering using a … [Read more...] about Benefits of a Revocable Living Trust You Need to Know

Estate planning is very important to securing your financial future and to ensuring that you are able to provide for loved ones. Pretty much everyone should make it a priority to put an estate plan in place, as you never know when something might happen to you, and you could find yourself incapacitated or could pass away and leave your legacy uncertain. While it's a good idea for all adults to make sure they have a proper plan in place, there are three key situations where it becomes … [Read more...] about 3 Situations Where You Can’t Afford to Put Off Estate Planning

The probate process is the process by which an estate is settled and assets are transferred to heirs and beneficiaries after a death. In California, the probate process can take often take over a year due to court congestion. During this time period, unfortunately, plenty of different things can go wrong. The best way to avoid probate problems is to avoid probate in the first place. This typically involves creating a comprehensive trust-based plan which when properly established and … [Read more...] about Probate Process Problems You Should Take Steps to Avoid

Most people know that they definitely need at least some basic estate planning documents, although many people don't have any plans or tools in place. In fact, according to a CNBC report on a recent survey, around 67% of people do not have an estate plan at all. Unfortunately, failing to plan for the future can have dire consequences for you and your loved ones. And, worse yet, even if you do make a basic plan, such as creating a last will and testament, there are some other aspects of … [Read more...] about 5 Overlooked Estate Planning Tasks To Include In Your Plan

When you think about planning for your future, making sure that you can qualify for Medi-Cal someday might not be the first thing that comes to mind. Medi-Cal is California's version of the Medicaid Program. However, the reality is that LongTermCare.gov says that there's close to a 70% chance that someone who turns 65 today will need nursing home care or custodial care at home -- eventually. If you end up needing long-term care someday, being able to get Medi-Cal benefits could be … [Read more...] about 5 Things to Know About Medi-Cal Planning Now

Summer brings longer days, hotter temperatures, thoughts of vacation, and graduation parties. For those hosting graduation parties, or for those in whose honor those parties are held, it’s an opportune time to consider Estate Planning. Many high school graduates head off to college in the autumn and these newly minted adults need to have some of the most basic Estate Planning documents in place before their departure. Although some clients put off Estate Planning for themselves, sometimes it’s … [Read more...] about Graduation and Estate Planning: Is There a Connection?

When it comes to estate planning, you have a choice to make during the process. You can decide that you want to involve your family members. This could mean anything from having a discussion with them about your plans to actively asking them what kinds of property they hope to inherit. Or you could decide to keep the estate planning process a secret and not share the details with your loved ones. There are pros and cons to both approaches, and you'll need to make a choice about which of the … [Read more...] about Sharing Your Estate Plan With Family

Handling debt in your estate plan is a crucial aspect that can significantly impact the value of your estate and the inheritance your beneficiaries receive. Here are some key considerations and strategies: Understand Different Types of Debt First off, identify the types of debt you have. Mortgages, credit cards, personal loans, and medical bills are common forms. Each type of debt may be treated differently in the context of your estate. Make an Inventory of Your Debts Create a … [Read more...] about How to Handle Debt in Your Estate Plan