One of the biggest misconceptions about estate planning is that you need a lot of money or assets in order to make it worthwhile. Not true. In fact, every person in California – rich or poor – already has an estate plan provided by the State of California. It is called “intestate succession.” Now, if you are fine with the State directing your assets and controlling how and when, and whether [...]
Most estate planners recommend having a living-based estate plan. The cornerstone of that plan is – you guessed it – the living trust. This post is going to cover everything you need to know about living trusts so you can do two things. Decide whether a trust-based estate plan is right for you. If you have already decided that a trust-based plan is right for you, or already have a living [...]
Yesterday day, August 23, would have been Kobe Bryant’s 42nd birthday. But tragically, as almost everyone knows, Kobe died suddenly and unexpectedly in a helicopter accident. Kobe’s death underscores why proper estate planning is important. You never know the time and hour when you will pass from this world. If you have young children it is exceedingly important to have a proper plan in place. Even if you already have a [...]
Time seems to be the one thing we just can’t get enough of. This is especially true if you are one of our nurses or frontline healthcare workers. You work tirelessly caring for others and may not have a lot of free time to work on your estate planning. If you are able to answer the following questions or at least think them through, you can get a jump start on [...]
Many people love to spend part of their summer vacation at the beach, enjoying the ocean and sunshine. But there may be unseen dangers that are crucial for beachgoers to keep in mind: For example, the undertow is a current of water, often quite powerful, below the surface, that is moving away from shore when waves are approaching it. It can easily knock a smaller person off balance and could be [...]
To all front-line and “essential” workers: Thank you for all of your hard work—day in and day out (and often evenings, nights, and weekends). You tirelessly give of yourself to care for some of the most vulnerable people in our society. Whether you are caring for them in a hospital, therapy room, or patient’s home, you are there to protect and help the patient gain a better tomorrow. However, one [...]
