Category Archives: Estate Planning
How Good Estate Planning Can Deter Challenges To Your Will Or Estate
We often discuss the many benefits of good estate planning. One benefit that is often overlooked, is how good estate planning can avoid probate, and thus, any challenges to your estate plan that could potentially be filed in the probate court. Challenges to Estates A challenge to an estate once it is probated, generally… Read More »
Why You May Want To Avoid California’s 120-Hour Rule
When we think of leaving property to others, we just assume that they will predecease us. But what if they don’t? Or, what if they live longer than we do—but only slightly longer? This kind of situation can create problems that can potentially be avoided by good, solid estate planning. The 120 Hour Rule… Read More »
Changing Or Amending A Will In California
Once you make your will, you aren’t stuck with it–you can alter, amend or change it at any time. In fact, you should do it–life and your life situation changes, and if your life changes and your will doesn’t, your will may not reflect what you want to happen. Amending a will is not… Read More »
What Is A Payable On Death Account?
A payable on death (POD) account is an easy tool that, while it doesn’t solve every kind of estate planning need, can certainly make things easier when it comes to certain kinds of assets. What is a Payable on Death Account? A POD account (which is sometimes called a Totten trust, even though it… Read More »
Trusts: What Kinds Are There?
We’ve often discussed the benefits of trusts, and how a trust can help you administer an estate. But what kinds of trusts are there? There are actually a large number of trusts, and the trust that’s right for you is an individual choice based on your specific situation. Still, it may be helpful for… Read More »
Can A No-Contest Clause Avoid A Will Contest?
None of us want to imagine family members fighting over what they are left in our estate, when we are gone. There are a number of ways to avoid this kind of fighting, some which are legal, and some of which are just plain common sense, but regardless of any of these methods, there… Read More »
Things To Do Now To Avoid Disputed Estates Later On
When thinking about what will happen when we are gone, the last thing we can imagine is our loved ones, friends or family, fighting with each other over who will get what. The idea of one family member getting a lawyer, and all of them spending thousands of dollars to fight over what you… Read More »
Should You Use A Pour Over Will?
Let’s say that you were smart, and you made sure that you transferred pretty much everything that you own into trusts. By doing that, you ensure that there will be no probate, and thus, no court action, and thus, hopefully, no infighting between your family over who gets what when you are gone. But… Read More »
Some Basic Questions And Answers About Estate Planning
Although many people have a general knowledge about wills and trusts, many may also have a lot of questions. Wills and trusts can be complex, but the basics of estate planning are not complex. Here are some commonly asked questions, to give you some basic knowledge about wills, trusts, and how they work. Q:… Read More »
Don’t Forget About Medicaid Estate Planning Strategies
For many people who are in need of long term care in the later stages of their lives, Medicaid is a lifesaver. Medicaid often provides the care needed for people to get necessary medical care, or for people to get care at a medical or nursing home facility. Medicaid and Need But Medicaid is… Read More »