For most people, a Last Will and Testament serve as the foundation upon which their comprehensive estate plan is built. Giving the importance of your Will, it should be error-free, particularly in light of the fact that any errors or problems with your Will won’t be uncovered until after you are gone, meaning it will be too late for you to fix errors or explain ambiguities. With that in mind, it may help to learn more about some of the most common mistakes people make when creating a Will so … [Read more...] about Common Mistakes When Creating a Will
USES OF LIFE INSURANCE IN ESTATE PLANNING AND ELDER LAW
Life insurance serves many very important purposes in planning throughout a person’s lifetime, and with the right life insurance strategy, you can safeguard who and what you care about while creating opportunities for your wealth to go further. Continue reading or Click here to download a copy of our eBook outlining a few of the very important reasons life insurance can help during the estate planning process. ESTATE / FINANCIAL PLANNING Income Replacement When a couple is first … [Read more...] about USES OF LIFE INSURANCE IN ESTATE PLANNING AND ELDER LAW
Voters Increase Taxes for Transfers of Property to Children With Passage of Proposition 19
With the passage of Proposition 19 Californians have eliminated many of the property tax exemptions they have enjoyed for decades. This exemption was for transfers between parents and children and in some cases, grandparents and grandchildren. THE OLD LAW Prior to the passage of Proposition 19, a parent could transfer a personal residence of unlimited value to children without an increase in the property taxes that the parents paid on the home. So for parents, like mine, who had owned … [Read more...] about Voters Increase Taxes for Transfers of Property to Children With Passage of Proposition 19
Getting a Divorce? Time to Update Your Estate Plan
Going through a divorce can be a very rough time in life. Battling over income, assets and child custody can be quite exhausting. All of these distractions may cause you to miss many important tasks you must undertake. And very often the family law attorney who handles your divorce may not follow through to give you the vital information we discuss here. Your Will California law provides that any bequests to a former spouse under a Will is automatically revoked. While … [Read more...] about Getting a Divorce? Time to Update Your Estate Plan
How will Kim Kardashian West and Kanye West divide up their real estate empire?
How will Kim Kardashian West and Kanye West divide up their real estate empire? But what inquiring minds really want to know is this: How will their massive real estate holdings be divided? According to the People, the couple are in agreement over joint legal and physical custody, neither is contesting the prenup in place, negotiations have progressed and they are nearing a settlement. For example, one billionaire couple that Lenz’s firm worked with had a $10 million prenup, but the … [Read more...] about How will Kim Kardashian West and Kanye West divide up their real estate empire?
True Love Lasts a Lifetime. So Does an Estate Plan.
There are many different ways to express how much we care and say, “I love you.” Red roses, a date night, a spa day, or planning a trip are all great ways to celebrate Valentine's Day. However, what says "I love you" more than assuring them that you will do anything you can to minimize their stress should something happen to you? This Valentine’s Day, consider giving your loved one an unconventional gift… an estate plan. Don't forget the flowers and chocolates too! While a … [Read more...] about True Love Lasts a Lifetime. So Does an Estate Plan.
The Importance of Talking To Your Family About Your Final Wishes
Benjamin Franklin is credited with saying, “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Despite the certainty of death, many put off estate planning. Death and finances are two of the most uncomfortable subjects, they are both emotionally charged, and nobody wants to talk about either one of them. One of the hardest decisions people make in the estate planning process is how much (and when) to tell their children about their plan. It is no surprise that most people … [Read more...] about The Importance of Talking To Your Family About Your Final Wishes
Questions to Ask an Elder Care Attorney
The number of older adults in the United States has grown significantly in recent years and experts tell us that growth will not slow down in the decades to come. In fact, by the year 2050 those same experts predict that for the first time in history, the older population (age 65 and older) will outnumber their younger counterparts (age 21 and younger). The growth in the senior population has caused an increased interest in elder care issues and concerns. While seniors face many of the same … [Read more...] about Questions to Ask an Elder Care Attorney
“Omitted Children” Fall Flat in Challenge to the Hugh O’Brian Estate
Hugh O’Brian, the actor and humanitarian best known for his starring role in The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, died in September 2016. In his estate plan, O’Brian named his wife Virginia as trustee of the estate, and beneficiaries included other family members and friends, and a charitable foundation. O’Brian died childless—however, after his death, at least two individuals brought a lawsuit claiming to be O’Brian’s children and seeking a share of his estate. Each alleged child was born from … [Read more...] about “Omitted Children” Fall Flat in Challenge to the Hugh O’Brian Estate
Telehealth is problematic for many older adults
We’ve seen how the COVID-19 response has created problems with social isolation among the elderly. The pandemic is posing serious problems for geriatric care as well. Interruption of health care is especially problematic for older adults over age 65, who are likely to live with at least one chronic condition and who account for the vast majority of hospitalizations. Healthcare providers looking to decrease physical traffic at care facilities have turned to telehealth services to connect … [Read more...] about Telehealth is problematic for many older adults
How Might Estate Plans Be Challenged? A Complete Guide
An estate plan is designed to give clear instructions about how someone’s assets shall be distributed to his or her beneficiaries upon death. Not every estate plan is created equitably or in good faith, and the law provides recourse for individuals to challenge the legality of the document and its provisions. In this guide we'll discuss in detail four broad reasons an estate plan might be challenged in probate litigation. Part One: Formal requirements of an estate plan Part Two: Undue … [Read more...] about How Might Estate Plans Be Challenged? A Complete Guide
