Learn about the updated 2026 federal estate and gift tax exemptions, Generation-Skipping Transfer (GST) rules, and proactive planning strategies for high‑net‑worth clients.

Pleasanton estate planning attorney describes how protecting your legacy starts with being proactive. Completing Your Estate Plan is Just the Beginning Creating an estate plan is a major step toward protecting your assets, ensuring your wishes are clear, and giving your loved ones peace of mind. But it's just the beginning of a lifelong process. Most clients instinctively understand this, and one of the most common questions I receive towards the end of a consultation or si

New “permanent” $15 million exemption offers a sense of stability, but also complicates traditional estate planning strategies. With fewer automatic sunsets and more political friction required for future changes, planners and families must reevaluate their assumptions and consider a more nuanced, tax-efficient approach to lifetime giving and wealth transfer.

A new law that took effect on April 1 (Ab 2016) could make it easier to bypass the long and expensive probate process. But while this is a welcome update, there are still much smarter ways to plan your estate such as using a living trust.