Estate planning has long focused on financial matters – who inherits what, how much goes to whom and under what restrictions. But beginning in the 1960s, estate planning expanded to include personal choices, such as medical treatment preferences and funeral wishes....
While California lawmakers have struggled to pass comprehensive legislation around psychiatric advance directives (PADs), six counties are moving forward with their own solutions. These counties – Contra Costa, Fresno, Mariposa, Monterey, Orange and Shasta along with...
If you’ve been putting off estate planning, you’re not alone. Many people delay because it feels overwhelming, time-consuming or emotionally difficult. But the cost of not planning – both financially and emotionally – can be significant for the people you care about...
Last week, we discussed the most common ways to leave assets to beneficiaries through a living trust – including outright distributions, ages and stages, and ongoing discretionary trusts. Each approach offers different levels of protection, control and complexity,...
Creating a living trust is a powerful way to avoid probate, maintain privacy and simplify the distribution of your estate. But once the trust is established, one of the most important decisions you’ll face is how to leave assets to your beneficiaries. There’s no...
Yes, you can disinherit your child and leave your assets directly to your grandchildren. California law allows individuals to freely distribute their estate as they wish, provided their intentions are clearly stated in a valid will or trust. This concept is called...
