When a parent, grandparent, or spouse passes away, it can be a stressful and emotional time. What can make it more painful is learning that their will either leaves you out entirely or doesn’t give you what you thought you were going to receive. You don’t want to seem...
lauren.king@thomsonreuters.com
3 surprising items you shouldn’t forget in your will
Most people know that a will or trust outlines your wishes to distribute your assets to loved ones and others when you die, hopefully, many years from now. While many understand that these essential estate planning documents focus on money, property and kids, there...
Don’t forget your online accounts when creating an estate plan
You, like most other California residents, likely conduct at least a portion of your life online. These days, it seems like you can get an online account for just about anything, from grocery shopping to your retirement account. You may not feel the need to have...
Have you considered the benefits of having an estate plan?
Beginning an estate plan is often easier said than done. Though you and many other California residents understand the importance of having an estate plan in place, you may feel uneasy about thinking about your demise or feel uncertain about how to begin getting such...
The fate of a small business after its owner dies
If your parent was passionate about the California business he or she built from the ground up, you likely spent many dinners and holidays hearing stories about clients or jobs that made your loved one particularly proud of the work he or she did. Your parent had a...
5 Estate Planning Questions to Ask Yourself
Depending on your circumstances in life, you may be among the many people who feel that you do not need to create an estate plan. You may think that your loved ones will automatically know what to do with your belongings after your passing and to generally settle your...
Do beneficiaries wait on information from an estate executor?
If you have recently lost a loved one, you likely feel somewhat lost. The person may have been a major facet in your life, and now, you wonder how you will get on without him or her. Of course, you likely also have concerns about how the remaining estate will be...
Are you sure you can handle the role of executor?
A loved one's passing can take a significant toll on any California resident. Everyone deals with grief in his or her own way, and it can prove challenging to work through such an experience. Of course, some parties may have more to address during this time if they...
Federal Estate Taxes: What You Should Know
Estimates indicate that no more than 1% of Americans will even need to consider whether estate taxes will be an issue upon their deaths, and some of them could live right here in California. If you are among those with an estate valued at greater than $11.4 million as...
A parent’s dementia diagnosis may spark need for estate planning
Parents love having the ability to watch their children grow. Over the years, however, the tables often turn, and adult children watch their parents age and sometimes struggle with illness and mental decline. While facing this type of situation, you may have many...
