Modern Estate Planning Blog

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?

You may be surprised to hear this, but the greatest gift you can give to your family this holiday season can’t be purchased in department stores and certainly won’t fit under the tree. Yet I can assure you that this “ultimate gift” is one of enormous value that will last your family for generations.

As a Gold River trusts lawyer, my practice focuses primarily on helping everyday folks with their planning. These are generally professionals employed by others such as teachers, state employees, lawyers, sales reps, small business owners, etc. who are college educated, but in most cases have not amassed great wealth.

As a Sacramento Trusts and Estates Lawyer, I believe the holidays are the perfect time to make sure your will, trust or other estate planning documents are updated so your family stays protected should something unexpectedly happen to you.

For Sacramento area residents seeking to avoid probate on certain assets such as their stocks, bonds and other assets in brokerage accounts, Transfer on Death Agreements (TOD’s) can be a very useful and convenient estate planning tool.