When people start thinking about the future of their assets and their loved ones, two terms come up often: probate and estate planning. These concepts are related, but they serve different purposes. Understanding the distinction can help you make informed choices and avoid stress for your family later on.
What LGBTQ+ Parents Need to Know About Guardianship Laws in California
As parents, we spend our days focused on raising, teaching, and protecting our children. But few of us want to imagine what would happen if we were no longer able to care for them. For LGBTQ+ parents in California, the question of guardianship carries added layers, especially in families formed through adoption,...
The Hidden Risks of Putting Your Kids on the Title of Your Home
Why do some parents add their children to the title of their home?
The Hidden Risks of Putting Your Kids on the Title of Your Home Continue reading…
Brian Chew explained that many parents consider adding their children to the title as a way to avoid probate. The thought process is that when a parent passes away, the child already listed as a co-owner...
When and Why You Should Update Your Estate Plan
What life events should trigger an estate plan review?
When and Why You Should Update Your Estate Plan Continue reading…
Brian Chew explained that the most common reason to update an estate plan is changing relationships, not just changing assets. Events such as marriage, divorce, the birth of children or grandchildren, or the passing of a loved one often require revisiting the...
Protecting Family Wealth with Dynasty Trusts in California
Effective estate planning ensures family wealth is preserved across generations, and dynasty trusts offer a robust solution for achieving this goal. This episode of Estate Planning Beyond the Binder examines dynasty trusts in California, detailing their role in providing lifetime asset protection for children against creditors, divorce, and poor financial decisions. It highlights the...
What Happens After Your Estate Plan is Complete? Understanding Post-Planning Steps and Requirements
What exactly happens after you receive your estate planning binder?
What Happens After Your Estate Plan is Complete? Understanding Post-Planning Steps and Requirements Continue reading…
Estate planning is a process, not just a product. While receiving your binder with signed documents is important, it’s only the beginning. The binder contains your estate plan – a series of documents that need proper implementation....
Estate Planning 101 — The Binder & Child Protection Planning
What exactly is an estate planning binder and why is it just the beginning?
Estate Planning 101 — The Binder & Child Protection Planning Continue reading…
The estate planning binder is the foundation of protecating your family’s future, containing essential legal documents. However, it’s merely the first step in ensuring your family’s protection. While the binder houses crucial documents,...
Divorce and Estate Planning: Why Updating Your Documents Protects Your Future
Divorce changes more than your personal life—it reshapes your entire estate plan. From wills and trusts to beneficiary designations and healthcare directives, every document that once reflected trust between spouses must be reevaluated. Brian Chew, Managing Partner at OC Wills and Trusts, explains why failing to update these documents can leave you...
Planning for a Loved One with Special Needs: How Trusts Protect Benefits and Secure Their Future
Families with children or loved ones who have special needs face unique estate planning challenges. Without the right plan in place, an inheritance or financial gift could unintentionally disqualify a loved one from essential government benefits such as SSI or Medi-Cal. Brian Chew, Managing Partner at OC Wills and Trusts, shares how...
What Happens If You Die Without an Estate Plan in California?
Many California families assume that if they pass away without a will or trust, their loved ones will automatically “figure things out.” In reality, dying without an estate plan—known legally as dying intestate—triggers a costly and time-consuming process that often leaves families frustrated and financially strained.
In this episode...
