Wills & Trusts

No one likes to think about the unexpected, but as a parent, preparing for it is one of the most loving and responsible things you can do. If something were to happen to you, would your children be financially protected? Would your assets be managed responsibly on their behalf?

A trust can provide clear answers to those questions. While a will is an essential part of any estate plan, it may not go far enough when it comes to protecting minor children. That’s where trusts come in. With the right trust in place, you can make sure your kids are cared for and your wishes are honored—even when you’re not there to carry them out yourself.
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Why Power of Attorney Is Essential If You Work in a Dangerous Job

A serious fall on the job. A car accident during a delivery route. A wildfire response that turns dangerous in seconds. For thousands of California workers in high-risk industries, these aren’t far-fetched scenarios — they’re real possibilities. And when something unexpected happens, not having the proper legal documents in place can leave families scrambling.

Providing for a child or loved one with special needs can be challenging. If you leave them a large inheritance, it could make them ineligible for government benefits. A Special Needs Trust can solve the problem.
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When you die, all property titled in your name or that you have an interest in becomes part of your probate estate. TheRead more . . .

Unfortunately, many people end up dying or becoming incapacitated without legal wills to guide their families through a difficult time. Besides the emotional difficulty of estate planning, having a lack of resources to allocate is also a factor that stops many people from creating a will.

However, estate planning isn’t only for wealthy people.
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Though they are often lumped in with the things handled in an estate plan, you do not need an estate plan to prepare healthcare proxies. Where an estate plan addresses how you want your financial affairs handled after your death, a healthcare proxy (also known as an advance healthcare directive) provides instructions for medical providers while you are still alive.

Regardless of your age or current well-being, advance healthcare directives help your family and doctors provide you with the medical care you would prefer; moreover, they provide your loved ones with a sense of guidance, relieving them of the many pressures and conflicts that arise after a traumatic event.

The Purpose of Advance Healthcare Directives

In the state of California, advance healthcare directives serve several key purposes:

Appointing a Healthcare Agent

Advance healthcare directives include power of attorney, a grant of authority that gives your agent the power to make medical decisions on your behalf. That said, select your healthcare agent carefully, as doctors must act on their instructions.
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Medical emergencies are usually the last thing that people want to think about in everyday life. But having a plan for any situation can provide you with invaluable protection and peace of mind. Writing out your wishes also makes it easier for your loved ones to care for you, even if you are unable to make decisions on your own. 

When it comes to Read more . . .

Family and community are among life’s greatest joys, and everyone wants to ensure that the people they care about are protected after their death. While it can be intimidating and even painful to think of your loved ones’ lives without you, drafting a will that includes them is the best way to guarantee their future well-being.

Life can be unpredictable.

When you think about putting property in a trust, you may not think about placing your house in a trust. However, your personal situation and circumstances will help you to determine whether it is the best decision for you. Here are the top three reasons to consider doing so.

1. You Can Avoid Probate

One of the biggest reasons that anyone puts assets into a trust is that it helps you to avoid the probate process.
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Creating a trust is a great way to find peace of mind for both you and your loved ones, ensuring that they are taken care of. However, in order for the trust that you’ve established to be able to help in the way you’ve intended, it’s really important that it’s funded.

When a trust isn’t funded it often requires probate court if you become incapacitated or pass away.
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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 minors can indirectly own assets is by being the beneficiary of a Trust. In fact, most people create Read more . . .