A: Absolutely! This is a very common scenario, and most attorneys have a specific workflow and process designed for that exact situation. In fact, even if a particular attorney is still practicing, an client always has the right to switch attorneys at any time if they...
A: For people who die in 2024, the net worth of their estate must be greater than $13.61 million dollars for their estate to owe any federal estate taxes. The married couple exclusion amount, therefore, will be $27.22 million dollars!
A: Because he wanted to ensure his assets were as well-managed as his list of who's naughty and nice! Santa, known for his meticulous record-keeping and generous gift-giving, understands the importance of planning for the future. Setting up a trust can be crucial for...
A: Business interests, whether a sole proprietorship, an LLC, a corporation, or a different type, are quickly and easily transferred into a trust by signing and notarizing a legal document titled "Assignment of Business Interest". We prepare these "Assignments"...
A: Yes, it is! I recently got a call from someone whose mother died in 1974 and their small house in South Napa was probated way back then. It turns out the mother had 5 daughters who inherited the home. Therefore, each daughter inherited a 20% interest in the house....
A: We would only recommend the use of the revocable transfer on death (TOD Deed) if you would like to leave your house in equal shares to all of your children, and none of your children have any spendthrift issues and/or special needs considerations (remember, title...
A: Setting up a trust is key—it's like the "mash" in your estate planning potatoes, it blends everything together smoothly, and will leave your beneficiaries "giving thanks" that you were so thoughtful in your preparation!
A: At a minimum, you would need to do SOME type of estate planning or else your estate would be distributed according to intestacy laws, namely, your three children would all inherit equally. Moreover, a trust (versus a simple will) would be essential in order to...
A: Unfortunately, your aunt now owns that duplex. By operation of law, when your father died, the surviving joint tenant automatically owned the entire duplex, which meant that the will had no legal effect over the disposition of your father's interest in the duplex....
A: No, you don't. Because SSDI is not a needs-based benefit, receiving an inheritance would not disqualify someone from receiving SSDI. However, if a loved one is receiving SSI or Medi-Cal, you should talk to an estate planning attorney about creating a special needs...
