Thanks for taking the time to find out about our connection to the G0ld River community. Gold River is a unique community located in Sacramento County, California. With a population or 7,812 at the last census and a median family income of over $117,000, the Gold River community has the highest-income in the County. Gold River is situated between Rancho Cordova, Folsom, and the American River.
The Community of Gold River
Gold River is basically a residential planned development that includes several subdivisions, a primary school, commercial and light industrial properties. There are various types of residential properties within the community, including single family homes, duplex and triplexes, and condominiums. There are 25 separate “villages” included in this planned development which are governed by the Gold River Community Association. Each of the separate villages also has its own sub-association.
One of the greatest benefits of this unique residential community is the fact that residents can move from one neighborhood or village to another without uprooting their families. Children are still able to attend the same schools and maintain their friendships as long as they stay within the Gold River Community. The distinct neighborhoods offer something for everyone. Another benefit is that the design of the community has been carefully created to support continued growth. Part of this planning includes strong, protective land use covenants and architectural controls which assure that the community is preserved and the property values do not decrease.
Advice from our Estate Planning Experiences
As with many legal matters, estate planning attorneys have their fair share of horror stories from years of working with clients to create an estate plan or dealing with the consequences of a missing or deficient plan. Whether its issues relating to property ownership or family disputes over a loved one’s estate, problems in passing on an estate are very common.
Unfortunately, most clients assume that their children or beneficiaries will be willing and civilized enough to work things out on their own. Consequently, many people believe they don’t need to have a formal estate plan. Or, if they do have a plan, they fail to consider all of the issues that may potentially arise. The truth is, even the most basic estate plan can be quite helpful in avoiding family conflict.
Be sure to include a Will in your estate plan
Regardless of how much property you may have, you should consider hiring an experienced and qualified attorney to draft a proper will for you. That way, you can ensure that your family, and the court, has a clear roadmap for how you want your estate handled. Always remember that the value of an asset is not always seen in terms of money. Some property will have more of a sentimental value. Discuss the value of certain assets with your family ahead of time to avoid problems in the future, if you leave that property to the “wrong” person. For many with assets over $150,000 or who own real estate, a trust-based plan will probably be a better option than a simple Will.
Your spouse may not be able to take over everything automatically
Do not assume that your spouse will simply take over and handle things for you if you become incapacitated. It is possible that your spouse won’t be available. For instance, if you are both injured in a car accident and both are incapacitated then you will need someone to handle your affairs. That can be done by way of a well constructed trust, financial powers of attorney and advance health care directive.
Why you need an estate planning attorney
When it comes to planning for your future and your family’s future, the advice of an experienced and qualified estate planning attorney can be irreplaceable. Our firm can provide you with the guidance you need to make all of the important choices that are necessary. We can describe all of your options and help you decide what tools are best for accomplishing your goals.
If you have questions regarding estate planning matters, please contact us at the Northern California Center for Estate Planning and Elder Law for a consultation. You can contact us either online or by calling us at (916) 437-3500. We are here to help!
