Avoiding Probate -- is it for you? Avoid Probate, is that right for you? Ideally, when a loved one passes away, the administrative and financial details fade into the background. That is possible when those details are addressed long before the passing occurs. Proper...
Disinherit a Child. It’s Your Estate. Disinherit a child. Has disinheriting a child ever crossed your mind? If so, you are not alone. In California, it's absolutely possible, but there are rules that need to be followed. If you ignore them, your estate will pay a...
AI and Estate Planning Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming nearly every area of our lives, and estate planning is no exception. AI provides powerful tools for gathering, organizing, and managing information, but it cannot replace the strategic judgment and...
Trust Mill Scams. What’s Really Happening Behind the Scenes Trust Mill Scams. Estate planning scams are on the rise, especially in California. Seniors are losing an average of $34,000 per year to financial fraud schemes, according to the FBI’s 2023 elder‑fraud report....
Missing Will. A common occurrence after someone dies is that their estate documents cannot be found. The problem of the "missing will." They may have been lost, mistakenly destroyed, intentionally revoked, or simply hidden. Regardless of the reason, when someone...
How much does it cost? The cost of estate planning varies because every person and situation is different. No two individuals are the same and no two families have the same goals. There are many factors that go into how much an attorney charges for a comprehensive...
Trustee Powers. What does it mean? When you create a trust, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is what powers to give your trustee. A trustee can only act within the authority you grant — no more, no less. That means the powers you include in your trust...
Updating a Trust or Will: Can It Be Done? Clients often ask a simple but important question: “Can I change my trust?” The short answer is yes—often you can. But how, when, and to what extent depends on the type of trust and the law of your state. Key terms: revoke,...
What is a Deed and Why is it Important A deed is a legally binding document and if you own real property, it is an essential part of an estate plan. A deed transfers ownership of real property from one party (the grantor) to another (the grantee). It is the written...