A living trust can help provide for both you and your children. Married couples often establish a joint trust to manage their assets during their lifetimes, and when one spouse dies, the other spouse may continue to benefit from the trust. A trust may also make provisions for children or…
California is a “community property” state. This means any property acquired during a marriage belongs to the spouses equally. In the event of divorce, any community property must be divided between the spouses. Of course, a divorced couple can still own property together, but they would do so as joint…
Many elderly persons wish to remain in their own homes, but lack the financial means to do so. One option for such individuals is to take out what is known as a “home equity conversion mortgage,” commonly referred to as a “reverse mortgage.” Whereas a conventional mortgage requires the borrower…
When you create a trust as part of your estate plan, you can effectively control the disposition of your property for years, even decades, into the future. This can prove useful if you want to limit the distribution of an inheritance until your chosen beneficiaries reach a certain age. But…
During your lifetime, it may be necessary for a court to appoint a conservator to oversee your affairs when you are no longer able to do so. A conservatorship can apply to both a person-i.e., someone to make healthcare decisions for you-and to the property contained within your estate. While…
On September 3, a California appeals court issued a landmark decision on the subject of financial abuse of the elderly. California maintains strict laws designed to protect persons aged 65 and above, who are more susceptible to fraud. In this case, the appeals court found the law could apply to…
The administration of an estate includes not just distributing a person’s property, but collecting any debts owed to the deceased. This is why it is important to make a will naming an executor who can act in your name after you are gone. The executor stands in your place and…
It is common practice in estate planning for an individual to make specific gifts of property. Perhaps you wish to leave your house to your children or a particular family heirloom to a sibling. But what happens if the property described in your will is no longer part of your…
A comprehensive estate plan can address the disposal of your personal assets, such as your home or retirement accounts, and any business interests you may hold. Many Americans are self-employed or participate in a business partnership. Winding down these business arrangements is a critical component of the estate planning process.…
In making a will or trust, you should consider the possibility your chosen beneficiaries will not outlive you. It is therefore common practice to include a survivorship clause, specifying that a gift will lapse unless the recipient survives you. Some survivorship clauses require the recipient survive you by a specific…