Writing a will represents an important part of estate planning. Once signed, the legal document remains in effect until the testator decides to change it. And yes, someone can change a will under California law. Changes in either someone's life or relationships affect...
Estate Planning
Creating an advance directive in California is essential
Preparing for the end of your life is an essential task you may want to consider if you reside in California and want to help ensure your needs and wishes are met. Creating an advance directive is one of the elements associated with this endeavor. It's a legal...
The privacy of your estate plan
Estate planning assigns your personal assets to certain beneficiaries and inheritors. Your privacy in California, however, isn’t established solely by having an estate. Holding high-worth assets in your portfolio often calls for privacy. Keeping the exact worth of...
Retirement and estate planning
Some California residents write a will, stick it in a drawer and forget about it, but the truth is that estate planning is a process. Whenever you have a major life event, it's a good time to revisit your estate plan. The birth of a child, marriage or divorce will all...
The basics of holographic wills
A holographic will is one that the testator writes themselves by hand. California residents should understand that while it's legal to write a will this way, it's not like other wills. For example, California state law requires that wills be signed in the presence of...
Protect your health care with a living will
A living will is a document that provides guidance on how to manage someone's health care. This is necessary when an incident, such as a stroke or brain damage, results in a person's severe physical and mental incapacitation. The reasons to create a living will in...
Does a will require witnesses in California?
Writing a will seems like an easy task. Several legal document resources provide templates for would-be testators. While such resources may be convenient, they might not always provide clarity regarding California laws. A last will and testament remains subject to...
Why you need to plan your estate at any age
There is an unfortunate myth about estate planning: It is only appropriate for seniors or the elderly. While estate planning is unquestionably important for this age group, the truth is that all of us need to plan our estates and get our affairs in order regardless of...
More millennials are doing estate planning — here’s why
It's a common myth in Fremont and around the East Bay that estate planning is only for older people. A lot of people wrongly assume that having an estate plan only makes a difference when you are over 45 years old with several children and have financially established...
Benefits of creating an estate plan and succession plan
California is known for having complicated tax and business laws. This is all the more reason why individuals with assets in California should look into creating an estate plan. Proper estate planning can potentially reduce the amount of taxes you pay during your life...