Federal estate tax law includes a provision called portability. This provision only applies to married couples. It allows the surviving spouse to use any part of their deceased spouse’s unused estate and gift tax exemption. Including portability in an estate plan protects the surviving spouse from significant estate tax bills if the deceased spouse’s estate […]

Your named beneficiaries will likely have to go through probate to receive your real property after your death if it is only in your name and not held in trust. Although transferring property into trust can ensure your family does not have to wait for a judge to validate your will before distributing your assets, […]

Some seniors don’t expect to remarry after a divorce or the death of a spouse. However, life is full of surprises. You could meet someone at any age, even during your retirement years. Many older adults bring various assets and debts into a new relationship. They might also have children from a previous marriage, one […]

When creating a trust with a Santa Clara trust lawyer, it is important to understand the specific roles involved. The grantor is the person who establishes a trust. The designated beneficiary is the person who receives or gets the benefits of the assets held in trust. Probate is unnecessary because trust property passes outside the […]