Guest Post: What is an end of life doula? Do I need one for myself or a loved one?
Guest post: An end-of-life doula can help someone who is dying and the family members of the person dying; learn more about what it means to be an end of life doula.
How should I choose my lawyer?
Finding an attorney can be intimidating; but the right attorney shouldn’t intimidate you! Especially not when it comes to estate planning.
Do I need an estate plan in California?
Every adult in California needs some kind of estate plan!
What is Estate Planning?
Estate planning is about planning for your family — and for making sure that you, and they, are cared for at a time of incapacity or at the time of death. Estate planning can involve a will, trust, power of attorney, healthcare directive, or other documents.
Upcoming Presentations: Planning with Minor Children
Estate Planning With Minor Children is currently being offered several times in January and February 2024 via Zoom. RSVP for the zoom link.
Upcoming Presentations: Estate Planning 101 & Planning with Minor Children
Estate Planning 101 is currently being offered several times in January and February 2024 via Zoom. RSVP for the zoom link.
Can I update or revise my estate plan in California, and how often should I do so?
You can update your estate plan as much or as little as you want while you’re alive; generally, you should review your estate plan every 3-5 years to make sure it still does what you want it to do.
How can I minimize estate taxes in California?
How to minimize taxes in California generally involves planning for several types of taxes, including estate taxes, gift taxes, capital gains taxes, and property taxes.
What happens if I die without a will?
If you die without a will in California, then the state decides who gets your stuff and things. There’s an order of preference depending on who survives you, but it can take a long time to get there!
What’s the difference between a healthcare power of attorney and an advance healthcare directive?
The advance healthcare directive has two parts: the healthcare power of attorney and the instructions for wishes regarding treatment and care.
What taxes apply when selling the house of someone who died?
When a house is sold after someone dies, there can be capital gains taxes and/or property taxes depending on the circumstances.
Thanksgiving Topics for Your Family
Some questions and answers you should discuss about your wishes and your estate planning when you’re together for Thanksgiving. Hey, it’s better than politics!
5 Things to Know About Retirement Accounts
Some of the laws relating to retirement accounts have changed. It’s important to know these five updates.
What are my options for my body when I die?
What should happen with your body when you die? Although previously this included only burial or cremation, composting is now an option in California.
Secure 2.0 Act — Retirement Updates
The Secure 2.0 Act has made a few significant changes that could impact your retirement plan beneficiaries.
How long does it take to create an estate plan?
Creating an estate plan can take weeks or months — but a lot of that is based on how long it takes you, the client, to make decisions.
What is a trust administration?
Trust administration is when you follow the terms of the trust, usually at the time someone dies or becomes incapacitated
What is an executor, administrator, and a successor trustee?
An Executor is when there’s a will; an Administrator is when there’s no will; a Successor Trustee is when there’s a trust. Executors and Administrators are subject to Probate Court; the Successor trustee is not.
What’s the difference between estate tax and gift tax?
California does not have an estate & gift tax, but the federal government does. What’s the difference? How do they work together?
Where should I keep my estate plan?
The key is: tell someone where your estate plan is located.