Many elderly people in San Diego are cared for at the end of their lives by caregivers and friends rather than family members. Sometimes they want to provide for those caregivers or friends in their will or trust. Such bequests however can be challenged by family members and other beneficiaries…
Those of us who live here in San Diego know what a great place San Diego is to live and work. Besides the wonderful weather and the proximity to the beautiful beaches of La Jolla, Del Mar, and other coastal areas, there is another benefit you might not realize. California…
Are you following in the footsteps of past Americans utilizing trusts? If you have a revocable living trust, you are in good company. Many famous people from the past utilized trusts as part of their estate plan. When the 13 colonies declared independence in 1776, the richest man was a…
Many people in San Diego are in the position of choosing a successor trustee for their living trust or they may be beneficiaries of a trust and wonder if the trustee is managing or distributing their inheritances properly. Generally the trustee must administer the trust according to the terms of…
Last year we posted a blog about cats living it up in a retirement home in Spring Valley thanks to a pet trust. Wherever you are in San Diego County, do you consider your pets part of the family? You are not alone if you do. 87% of Americans consider…
When people give particular assets to someone upon their death, what happens when that asset is no longer in the estate at the time of death? “Ademption” is the term used in the area of wills and trusts to describe a situation where property left to a beneficiary is no…
People with little assets other than their home many times need a living trust more than individuals with more assets. Why? Picture this scenario: With the high cost of housing in the San Diego area, many couples both work to pay the mortgage on their home. They don’t have a…
Living trusts save beneficiaries thousands of dollars in probate fees, however, upon the death of the Trustor, there are still steps that need to be taken by the Successor Trustee. These steps are called trust administration and often require some assistance from an experienced attorney. If these actions are not…
You would think that people who have practiced law would know the benefits of a well drafted estate plan. I guess it is like the old adage that “the cobbler’s son has no shoes.” Who knows how many lawyers in this country do not have a will or a trust.…
If you create a will or a trust, you can make any kind of gift you want to whomever you want. You can also make stipulations that a certain event must occur for the beneficiary to receive the inheritance. Some people, for example, provide for distributions to children or grandchildren…