When Does Someone Need a Guardian or Conservator In California?
Seeking a guardianship for a loved one is a decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Here’s how the process works.
Does the Executor Control Bank Accounts?
Administration of a decedent’s estate may involve investment accounts (with stocks and bonds) held in the decedent’s name or trust.
What Assets Should Be Considered when Planning Estate?
From digital assets to financial accounts to sentimental items, here’s what to think about to make sure your loved ones have access to everything they need when you pass away.
Do You Have to Go through Probate When Someone Dies?
The law requires probate for a good reason. If a person dies, probate ensures that the property goes to the people who are supposed to inherit it.
What’s the Difference between Probate Assets and Non-Probate Assets?
Non-probate assets are those assets which do not go into an estate when the owner dies.
What Power Does an Executor Have?
If a loved one asks you to be the executor of their estate, think carefully before you take on this responsibility.
What Estate Planning Documents Should Everyone Have?
This is a great time to get organized with estate planning—it will make things a lot easier for yourself and your loved ones.
How Does a Charitable Trust Help with Estate Planning?
In general, the best reason to establish a charitable trust, is if you would like to create a long-standing form of charitable giving.
What Happens to IRAs and 401(k) when Spouse Dies?
The rise in the stock market over the past several years, teamed with the passage of the SECURE Act two years ago and the scheduled 50% reduction in the size of the federal estate tax exemption four years from now, has resulted in a renewed interest in estate planning for IRA and 401k accounts owned by married couples.
Update on Transfer Taxes for 2022
Despite the various proposals to lower federal transfer tax (estate, gift and GST taxes) exemptions and increase the tax rates, none of them were enacted in 2021.