Category: Blog Post

1) We are married and reside in a state that recognizes our marriage. Do we have to file state income tax returns jointly as married? Do we have to file our federal income tax returns jointly as married? If you were married in 2013 and continue to live in...

Minors in California (those under 18) may not directly own assets. However, they can own them through a guardian. For example, a minor’s name can be on a bank account so long as it is also opened in the joint name of their adult guardian. Another way in which...

Divorce and remarriage are common and can certainly be for the best. However, blended families can make estate planning a bit more difficult. That’s why it’s so important to talk to your loved ones if you are thinking about getting married again. Here are the top tips for estate planning among blended families.

There are a lot of things to consider when it comes to estate planning. While many people consider creating a will or a trust, they don’t often know of the possibility to create a Letter of Last Instruction. A will and a trust are legal documents that discuss how...

While sometimes a bit tough to think about, it’s really important to understand Advance Health Care Directives and end-of-life decisions. After all, everyone should be entitled to live their life as they choose, right down to the very end. There are two options when it comes to end-of-life decisions: to prolong life...

When a loved one has special needs, it's important to ensure that they are protected even after you are gone. Many parents, wanting to care for their children with special needs, will leave their children with disabilities a large inheritance. However, while ensuring that a loved one who has...

When a loved one passes away and you find that you are a beneficiary of his or her estate, you may not know whether you need an attorney or not. While there may already be an attorney involved, he or she is likely acting in the interest of either the executor (if...

While it’s always in your best interest to begin estate planning sooner rather than later, sometimes it doesn’t always happen. So what happens if you have a loved one who lacks a Will or a Trust but is currently diagnosed with dementia? In order to create an estate-planning document of...

There are many things that go into owning a business. One such thing is a business succession plan. A business succession plan is a legal document that provides what is to happen should there be a change in ownership of the business. By having a business succession plan you can move forward...

While we generally create trusts to hold assets for our heirs to receive at a certain point, sometimes we want the opportunity to change the trust during our lifetime. Many things can change in life and sometimes these changes are enough to want to alter your trust. You can do so, but...