Estate planning for LGBTQ individuals and couples can involve added legal considerations, even after marriage equality. The goal is to make sure your wishes are followed, the right people have decision-making authority, and your relationships are recognized under California law. Although many protections now exist, gaps can still arise based on marital...
Life Insurance & Estate Planning: How They Work Together
Why is life insurance such an important part of an estate plan for many families?
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Life insurance is crucial for families because it provides a way to replace lost income if the primary wage earner passes away. It helps cover expenses like mortgage payments, children's education, and daily...
Protecting Retirement Accounts in Your Estate Plan
Why do retirement accounts like IRAs and 401Ks need special attention in an estate plan?
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Retirement accounts like IRAs and 401Ks require special attention in an estate plan because they have not been taxed yet, unlike other assets like savings accounts or regular investments. This means that taxes...
Estate Planning for College Students: What Parents Need to Know
Once your child turns 18, the law treats them as an adult, even if they are still living at home or heading off to college. Parents no longer have automatic authority to make medical, financial, or educational decisions on their behalf. For most college students, a few basic estate planning documents can...
7 Estate Planning Myths
Estate planning is not just for the wealthy or older adults, and waiting too long often creates more problems than it solves. Many people delay planning because of common myths that do not reflect how California estate law actually works. Clearing up these misunderstandings can help you make informed decisions and put...
Digital Assets in Estate Planning: Protecting Cryptocurrency, Online Accounts, and Family Memories
What qualifies as a digital asset in modern estate planning?
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Digital assets encompass any electronically stored property requiring username, password, or multi-factor authentication for access. This includes cryptocurrency, NFTs, digital music or media collections, cloud-stored photos and videos, online banking accounts, PayPal, Venmo balances, and reward programs—valuable items...
How Can Estate Planning Help You Pass Down the Family Business?
https://youtu.be/nzm2Tqh3ZWg
How Can Estate Planning Help You Pass Down the Family Business? Continue reading…
Passing down a family business takes more than naming a successor; it requires a plan that transfers ownership smoothly and protects the company’s future. Estate planning gives you tools to control how your business is valued, managed, and passed...
Incapacity & Estate Planning Urgency
Losing capacity can leave your family without the authority to manage your finances or make health decisions. Early estate planning allows you to choose who will step in, how decisions will be made, and what protections you want in place before anything changes. Acting now gives you control while you still have...
Incapacity Planning Essentials: Protecting Your Medical and Financial Decisions Before Crisis Strikes
What constitutes legal incapacity and why does it matter even for young adults?
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Legal incapacity occurs when an individual lacks sufficient mental capacity to make informed financial or medical decisions, rendering them unable to sign documents, manage accounts, or consent to treatment. This applies automatically to anyone under...
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...