Although many Estate Plans have a Revocable Trust as the foundation for the plan, Wills play an important role in a comprehensive Estate Plan. Alarmingly, most Americans don’t have a Will even though they know it’s important. As National Make a Will month comes to a close, let’s explore the often overlooked and neglected Estate Planning document, the Will. Continue reading to learn more. … [Read more...] about National Make-a-Will Month
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How Do Estate Planning Techniques Support Long Term Goals
Many California families ask how estate planning techniques support long-term goals. Estate planning involves more than drafting a will or creating a simple trust. It may also include strategies that align financial decisions with your family priorities, personal values, and future plans. Your long-term goals may include protecting children, supporting charitable causes, preparing for incapacity, minimizing disputes, or preserving wealth across generations. Estate planning techniques … [Read more...] about How Do Estate Planning Techniques Support Long Term Goals
The Seedier Side of the Holiday Season
Scammers will use any leverage possible to separate you from your money. This includes preying upon a grandparent’s love and concern for their grandchildren. The so-called grandparent scams are among the most popular scams targeting the elderly and rely upon details gleaned from social media sites to make the call seem realistic. It’s important to recognize the signs of potential scams and understand how to guard against them. My friend and colleague Tereina Stidd, an estate planning expert, has … [Read more...] about The Seedier Side of the Holiday Season
New Year’s Estate Planning Tasks
New Year's estate planning tasks will help you and your family as you make changes in your lives. According to CBS News, around half of Americans make resolutions, yet many people don't follow through. Only around 25% of people who created a New Year's resolution were still working on it after a month. Only ten percent of people end up accomplishing the objective they set for themselves. Creating or updating your estate plan should be at the top of your list of goals for 2026. This is … [Read more...] about New Year’s Estate Planning Tasks
Why Making an Estate Plan for Your Pets is Essential
When you have pets, you already know that those pets become a part of the family. That's why it is so important to include your animals and to make an estate plan for your pets that ensures they are protected if you become incapacitated or pass away. The sad reality is that the ASPCA reports that 5.8 million dogs and cats entered shelters and rescues in 2024, and, in recent years, there has been a substantial increase in the amount of time that large dogs end up staying in shelters prior … [Read more...] about Why Making an Estate Plan for Your Pets is Essential
Doing These Tasks Can Help Cement Your Legacy
If you want to ensure that you are leaving behind a strong legacy for your loved ones, there are a few key estate planning tasks that you will need to take care of. Unfortunately, far too many people neglect to put the right plans in place, which means that they risk losing the chance to enrich future generations and provide for loved ones left behind. You don't want this to be your fate, so be sure to complete these five key estate planning tasks to build the legacy that you deserve after a … [Read more...] about Doing These Tasks Can Help Cement Your Legacy
Benefits of a Revocable Living Trust You Need to Know
One of the most important things you might do in your lifetime is prepare for what happens after you're no longer alive. But many Americans do not have a solid estate plan in place. Trust & Will says that 55% of Americans have no estate plan at all. Meanwhile, 31% have a will, and 11% have set up a trust. It can be an emotional and difficult thing to think about estate planning. But if you're currently in the process of putting an estate plan in place, you may be considering using a … [Read more...] about Benefits of a Revocable Living Trust You Need to Know
How Specific Devises Impact Inheritance
Parents often decide to leave one child a specific asset and provide an equalizing cash bequest to the other. This article by my friend and colleague Tereina Stidd, an estate planning expert, explores how specific bequests may provide unintended results. Continue reading to learn more. … [Read more...] about How Specific Devises Impact Inheritance
Hulk Hogan and Disclaimers…?
When Terry Bollea, aka “Hulk Hogan,” died on July 24 at age 71 in Florida, something different but important for Estate Planning practitioners came into play: disclaimers. My friend and colleague Tereina Stidd, an estate planning expert, explains this interesting concept. Continue reading to learn more. … [Read more...] about Hulk Hogan and Disclaimers…?
“Let’s Go Crazy” … Over Prince’s Estate
When Prince died over nine (9) years ago, he shocked his fans one last time. Turns out, his unexpected death wasn’t the last surprise. Prince died without an Estate Plan causing his siblings to spend the next six years fighting over his Estate. My friend and colleague Tereina Stidd, an estate planning expert, looked into this situation,. Continue reading to learn more. … [Read more...] about “Let’s Go Crazy” … Over Prince’s Estate
