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Northern California: Applegate, Auburn, Cameron Park, Carmichael, Citrus Heights, Colfax, Coloma, Cool, Christian Valley, Davis, Elk Grove, El Dorado Hills, Fair Oaks, Folsom, Foresthill, Granite Bay, Georgetown, Grass Valley, Lake of The Pines, Lincoln, Loomis, Nevada City, Penryn, Pilot Hill, Placerville, Rancho Cordova, Rocklin, Roseville, Sacramento
Southern California: Agoura Hills, Altadena, Arcadia, Calabasas, Camarillo, Canoga Park, Eagle Rock, Encino, Fillmore, Glendale, Granada Hills, Highland Park, La Canada Flintridge, Los Angeles, Malibu, Moorpark, Ojai, Oxnard, Newbury Park, Northridge, Pasadena, Port Hueneme, Sierra Madre, Simi Valley, San Gabriel, San Marino, Santa Paula, Santa Barbara, Sherman Oaks, Somis, South Pasadena, Tarzana, Temple City, Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, West Hills, Woodland Hills
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In Most States, “Title Controls” – Probate Court Continued
Without a complete estate plan, even surviving spouses often have to go through long or short versions of probate to get full control of their family’s assets. In the meantime, terrible hardships can ensue. Wait! If your spouse dies—don’t you automatically get control of his or her assets, even if no will was signed? The […]
Letting Your Family Go to Probate
When your kids were little, you wouldn’t let them run in the street. When they were teens, you wouldn’t let them stay out until dawn. When they became adults, you wouldn’t let them send money to Nigerian princes soliciting them by e-mail. And when you die, believe me, you should not let them go to […]
How Much Should a Living Trust Cost?
A living trust is an alternative to a Will when planning how and who will handle your affairs following your incapacity and death. Wills require probate court involvement, living trusts do not require probate court. The price of a Will is generally less than then price of a living trust. However, the overall cost of […]
Consider A Trust Bank
Last week we covered choosing a trustee. However if you can’t find the right individual family member or friend to take on the job of trustee, and you don’t like the idea of an independent professional fiduciary, you might want to consider a “trust bank” to administer your living trust. Trust banks are institutions or […]
Choosing A Trustee
How do most people choose a trustee? What process will they follow to pick a candidate for a job which involves the proper handling of attorneys, bank officers, gun collections, and possibly millions of dollars? Usually, mom and dad sit around the kitchen table filling out estate documents. They come to the blank for filling […]
When a Loved One Dies: A Successor Trustee’s Checklist
When a loved one dies, it is an emotional time accompanied by confusion on what happens next. If you are named as the successor trustee, you likely haven’t had any experience dealing with the steps you need to take in settling your loved one’s Living Trust. If you are the Successor Trustee – or need […]
The Living Trust, Durable Power of Attorney, and the Living Will
THE LIVING TRUST For most of my clients, at the center of their estate plan sits a document known as a “living trust.” Sometimes, attorneys will create separate living trusts for spouses, and sometimes joint trusts, depending on their circumstances and state of residence. This type of trust is called “living,” because it goes […]
Not All Attorneys are Created Equal
You probably aren’t surprised to learn that all attorneys are not created equal, which makes trying to find the right one an important, yet hard, decision. There are two kinds of lawyers in this country: general purpose and special purpose. If you live in a big city or urban area, you won’t have any trouble […]
Understanding Long-Term Care
Understanding Long-Term Care Addressing the potential threat of long-term care expenses may be one of the biggest financial challenges for individuals who are developing a retirement strategy.The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates that 70% of people over age 65 can expect to need long-term care services at some point in their lives.1 So […]
Leaving a Legacy for Your Disabled Child
Your Children with Disabilities Will Become Ineligible for Benefits… Unless You Act! Parents of children with mental or physical disabilities face a variety of challenges in ensuring their children can successfully navigate life with and without them. Because people with disabilities are living longer due to advances in healthcare and other enabling strategies, they are […]