Modern Estate Planning Blog

One of the best elements of a well-planned estate is a living trust. I know what you’re thinking – trusts are only for the ultra-rich, right? Wrong again.

The first and easiest thing to do when starting to plan your estate is to take inventory of all of your assets. Step back and look at everything that you “own” in your life.

There is no better way to show your loved one that you care than to get your estate planning in order. By doing so you are essentially telling your significant other, “I want to make sure you are taken care of…. physically, financially and emotionally, no matter what life throws our way.

For most people tax time brings up images of boxes of random receipts and hours of searching for documents. Trying to get ready to do your tax return or organize for that yearly meeting with your tax preparer is a necessary evil.

Check out three of many questions that elder care experts such as myself are urging adult children to ask their parents during Alzheimer’s and Dementia Awareness Week (February 14th– 21st).

Remember, having a will is not just about where the money in your bank account would go if you were no longer here. Instead, a will covers a wide arrange of issues.

In my years of experience as an estates attorney, I’ve found that the number one reason why people don’t do their estate plan is that they can’t face their own death or the legal steps necessary to prepare for it!

With the advent of the internet it seems that more and more people want to attempt their own documents. And here is the key: Planning is not about the documents.

Contrary to popular belief, having a Sacramento estate plan does not guarantee that your wishes will be honored in a court of law following your death.

If you are over 18, choosing a health care agent is one of the most important things you can to do to make sure someone has permission to act on your behalf in a medical emergency.

Knowing where to start and learning how to prioritize things after a loved one has passed can make a huge difference in preserving your sanity during this difficult time.

With medical technology constantly improving and people living longer as a result, even the most financially-savvy individual can find their savings or retirement accounts sorely lacking in the later stages of life.

So how do you decide what to keep and what to toss? And how long should you keep the stuff you keep? A good rule of thumb is to only keep the stuff that is related to anything you deducted when you filed a tax return.

I’m often asked by clients how to best support the charities and organizations they hold near and dear to their hearts during their lifetime and perhaps after their death.

One of the most important things I help clients determine is who they want to be the beneficiaries of their estate when they pass away.

As a Gold River estate planning attorney, I regularly meet with parents who want to make sure their minor children will be cared for by the people they want, in a way they want, if something unexpectedly happens to them.

While many people focus on getting out of debt or getting organized for the New Year, estate planning is an equally important personal finance goal that should make every adult’s to-do list.

As a Sacramento probate attorney, I know that the ability to choose and document your desired beneficiaries is a major benefit of doing an estate plan. It often gives people great peace of mind and comfort knowing their assets will be handled in a way they want upon their death.

Finally, some clarity! To the relief of many estate planners, financial planners and concerned citizens across the United States, the controversial tax compromise has successfully passed through Congress and is now headed to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

Family dynamics change; babies are born, people divorce and remarry, aging and health-related issues start to surface, family relationships mend…wouldn’t you want to be sure that your estate plan reflects these changes?