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Estate Planning Documents for Children Over 18
Recommended steps to get a basic estate planning foundation in place for a child over 18, so parents can still be involved and help them.
3 min read


Who Should Have a Copy of My Trust?
Here are four simple and practical tips to lay a proper foundation for future accessibility and use of your living trust based estate plan.
4 min read


The Shift to Virtual Estate Planning
A successful virtual estate planning experience starts with a shift in mindset that in-person service is somehow superior (it isn't).
8 min read


Signing Estate Planning Documents During COVID-19
There are several ways to execute estate planning documents when notarization is not an option due to COVID-19.
5 min read


Thinking About Estate Planning Lately? You're Not Alone
Estate planning is top of mind lately. This post explains what the fuss is about and how to get your estate planning crossed off your list.
4 min read


Discussing Estate Planning Over Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving offers a unique opportunity to discuss estate planning with family. Here are some tips for starting a successful conversation.
3 min read


No-Contest Clauses in California
We may enjoy watching courtroom drama in movies, TV and on stage, but when it comes to our own lives, most people will do just about...
3 min read


Differences Between a Will and a Living Trust
There are many differences between a Will and a Living Trust. When clients begin the estate planning process, an initial decision to be...
3 min read


Estate Planning for Second Marriages (and Beyond)
There are a number of issues in that arise for estate planning in second marriages, as discussed in the article “Estate planning...
3 min read


Estate Planning with Transfer on Death Accounts
Estate planning with a will (as opposed to a living trust) often carries with it the need to involve a court process called probate to...
3 min read


Estate Planning – Why We All Need It
Putting off estate planning is never a good idea. Life happens, and before you know it, “someday” arrives. Everyone can benefit from...
2 min read


How to Choose a Guardian for your Kids
I’ll admit, deciding how to choose a guardian for your kids isn’t a lot of fun. Who wants to think about a situation where their young...
2 min read


Tom Petty’s Daughters Block Unreleased Tracks
Tom Petty’s widow, Dana York Petty, planned to include unreleased tracks from her late husband’s celebrated 1994 solo album as part of a...
1 min read


Do I Need to Update My Will if I Move to a New State?
As an estate planning attorney, I am often asked (either by existing clients who are considering moving out of California, or by new...
3 min read


Do You Really Need a Lawyer to Make a Will or Trust?
With the variety of options available today, it’s natural to wonder whether you really need a lawyer to make a will or create a living...
3 min read


Providing Children with an Unequal Inheritance
When it comes to estate planning with wills and trusts, fair does not always mean equal. Sometimes parents have good reasons for wanting...
3 min read


Will or Trust? Which is better?
You have likely heard the words “will” and “trust” as part of estate planning. What are the differences between the two, and how do you...
3 min read


Avoiding Probate in California
Avoiding probate is a major estate planning objective of many California individuals and families. Probate is the legal court process...
3 min read


Estate Planning if You’re Childless
Estate planning is a very personal process. If you’re childless, it’s actually much more important to have an estate plan than you might...
3 min read


What are the 3 “Must Have” Estate Planning Documents?
What important estate planning documents does a person need? Estate planning attorneys (such as the author) are the best qualified to...
3 min read
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