A: Although probate code section 6122 largely disinherits a former spouse automatically upon entry of a divorce judgement, the same is not true while the divorce is still in process. Therefore, as soon as possible after the divorce proceedings have been initiated, you...
A: No, and here's why: If something were to happen you, your life insurance proceeds won't pay out until they are 18 years old.
A: Given that the amount is pegged to inflation, the amount has recently been announced: $13,990,000 per decedent dying in 2025.
A: A health care directive is a legal document that spells out your medical preferences in the event that you are unexpectedly unable to make or express these decisions in the moment. With a health care directive, you can make a number of decisions in advance — for...
A: A testamentary trust is a trust established upon the testator's death, as specified in their will, unlike a living trust, which is created during their lifetime. Testamentary trusts are often used to manage a minor beneficiary's inheritance, allowing a trustee to...
A: You can choose either option! There may be valid reasons to pick multiple people to act as the trustee, just as there may be valid reasons to only have one person acting at a time. An experienced estate planning attorney can usually advise as to what would make the...
A: If you forget to name a beneficiary on your retirement account, the assets in the account typically do not avoid probate and may end up being distributed according to your will (if you have one) or based on state intestacy laws if you don’t. In some cases, the...
A: The Revocable “TOD” (“Transfer on Death”) Deed, introduced into law in 2016, was created as a new probate-avoidance strategy available to Californians. Specifically, the Revocable TOD Deed allows individuals to transfer, effective only upon death and outside of...
A: You sure can, but it's not advisable! The worst part of a DIY trust is that by the time problems start sprouting up, there is nothing that can be done to fix them (because they typically aren't discovered until AFTER you're gone). Creating a trust on your own my...
A: Absolutely! Your estate plan gives you the opportunity to communicate to your loved ones how you would like belongings that have special meaning to you handled. Whether it be a family heirloom, a box of albums, or an important personal keepsake, your estate plan...
