The holiday season is often a time of great joy and the chance to gather with loved ones.  Yet for many families, it can also be a time of loss.  In our years of practice, we’ve found that more people pass away during the holidays than at any other time of the year.  Losing a […]

The process of settling an estate can take months to years, and the length of time for probate in Santa Clara County can vary drastically, depending on factors such as whether a will is in place and the complexity of the estate. Sometimes the probate process takes only nine months or so, but some cases […]

Creating an estate plan to protect your loved ones, assets, and interests in the event of your passing is important. It can give you peace of mind to know that the people you love will be taken care of after you’re gone. However, poor planning can undermine your efforts and leave your beneficiaries struggling to […]

A revocable living trust is an integral part of many estate plans. Its main purpose is to give you more control over how your estate is handled both before and after death while allowing your estate to avoid the lengthy probate process. The idea of a revocable living trust is fairly simple: it becomes the […]

It’s not something most people want to think about, but funerals, even modest ones, can be very expensive. Many families pay more than $10,000 for services, burials or cremations, and other aspects of a loved one’s funeral. One idea that Santa Clara estate administration lawyers have seen grow in popularity over the years is paying […]

While digital assets have been around for quite some time, it seems like only very recently have people been making them an integral part of their investment portfolio. We won’t weigh in on whether that’s a good or a bad thing; however, we will explore the effect of digital assets on estate planning. Namely, what […]

When you ask someone what they know about estate planning, most people will tell you about the Last Will and Testament. In fact, very few people will mention a Pour-Over Will.  Today our Silicon Valley estate planning lawyers will explain the difference. While a Last Will and Testament is a standalone legal document that directs […]

The estate planning process is sometimes initiated by one spouse, while often being met with hesitation by the other. The reasons are totally understandable, since thinking about death or incapacity can bring many uncomfortable feelings. There is also a sense of comfort in the fact that “ignorance is bliss,” as many people don’t want to […]

Asset protection strategies help keep your money out of the hands of nursing homes, litigators, and other financial predators. Keep reading to learn about five of the best asset protection strategies to help you keep your money right where it is. Create an Irrevocable TrustExperienced Bay Area estate planning attorneys often recommend trusts for many […]

Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) are savings vehicles that allow a tax deduction to be taken when you contribute to the account. The maximum contribution in 2021 is $6,000, plus those age 50 and over may contribute an additional $1,000. The income is not taxable while the assets are held in the IRA, however, the distributions […]