Thinking about planning for your death is difficult, but it’s made much simpler with a few myths about estate planning cleared up.
First Myth: Estate planning is only for the wealthy
This is a common misconception. Regardless of the total value of your estate, if there is anything in your estate it is worth planning. Just because […]
While you may have prepared your will and set out your estate plan long ago, your life has not stood still, so neither should your estate planning documents. Regularly reviewing and updating your estate plan will help ensure parts will not become obsolete.
When you should update your estate plan:
Every few years as needed.
After major life […]
With every new estate planning client, the most important we ask question is: What are your estate planning goals? Every client is different. Every Estate Plan is therefore different.
A few common estate planning goals are:
Planning and Providing for Loved Ones.
This is probably the most common estate planning goal. Most people elect to plan their estate […]
The holiday season reminds us of why it is important to prepare an estate plan. It is a season to reflect on family relations and friendships. It is also a season of stress. Here are just a few ways this holiday season might inspire you to prepare or update your estate plan:
1. Loved Ones.
Spending time with […]
Planning an estate may seem simple, or may seem unnecessary for those with average or modest assets. Planning an estate is necessary for anyone who owns assets. But, planning an estate properly is the key.
Here are 3 pitfalls to avoid to make sure your estate is planned properly:
1. Don’t use a template.
Templates oversimplify the complexities of […]
Whether your estate is extensive or modest, it is worth the preparation of an estate plan. Here are five main reasons to have an estate plan prepared:
1. Your Kids
Whether your kids are young or grown, an estate plan will protect their interests. If something were to happen to you or your spouse without a plan […]
Family was once a simply defined concept, but the modern concept of family is anything but simple. Planning an estate especially for your specific family structure, dynamic, and needs is important.
The traditional idea of what a family looks like is fading in America today. More divorces, more remarriages, more step and half siblings, and blurred […]
If you live in California, there are three types of wills, and one estate planning tool with benefits beyond a will:
1. A Statutory Will
This is a very simple form-style will. California provides a fill-in-the-blank type of will that can be useful for some people with very limited and simple estates. As simple as this seems, […]
8 Forget-Me-Nots and Don’ts of Estate Planning
Planning your estate is essential, but when you do it yourself or sometimes when you have an attorney do it for you, things can get left out or go wrong. Here is a brief list of what to look out for when you plan your estate:
1. Don’t use non-expert […]
