I hear the same excuses over and over…. I don’t have an “estate.” I have more debt than assets. The only thing I have is my home. As you may have guessed, these are excuses that people make for not preparing an estate plan. These people are sadly misinformed. They think estate planning is only […]

In some circles, “probate” almost feels like a dirty word.  There are plenty of reasons that a person may prefer to skip the probate process, when possible, but it is a fact of wills and estate administration.  The details of probate can vary somewhat from place to place.  For example, probate in California will likely be […]

Couples who choose to marry later in life have different concerns than those marrying earlier, and a good Menlo Park estate planning lawyer can help you make the right decisions for your circumstances.  Each situation is a little different, but there are some fairly common topics that should be considered: Do the husband and wife […]

As a business attorney in Menlo Park, I know that everyone is concerned with potential exposure to liability, and this is especially true when you own and operate a business. There are many ways to shelter your personal assets from business-related liabilities, one of which is to incorporate your business. This means forming a corporation […]

Many clients who seek out estate planning in the Bay Area have concerns when it comes to caring for their pets.  After all, our pets rely on us for everything – although we all know that we gain so much in return.  When engaging in estate planning with an attorney, you likely want to ensure […]

As a wills lawyer in the Bay Area, it is always gratifying to see clients who are both able and willing to use their assets to support their favorite cause or charity through a will or trust.  Even small gifts can have a large impact, and many people are taking this into consideration during their […]

Have you ever wondered what would happen to all of the pictures and precious memories stored on your Twitter or Facebook pages after you die? It’s certainly different than having loved ones sort through your old keepsake boxes in the attic and taking what they want after you are gone.  When it comes to social […]

Individuals engaged in estate planning often get panicky when they hear the word “probate.”  When the term hasn’t been fully explained by a probate lawyer (and sometimes even when it has), it conjures visions of long waits, loss of inheritance, and many other hassles for heirs of an estate. To calm these fears (and to […]

It is clear to Menlo Park estate planning attorneys that the modern American family comes in all shapes, sizes, colors, and configurations. This creates unique circumstances when creating wills and trusts, writing prenuptial agreements, and putting long-term care plans in place. There is always potential for conflict when it comes to estate planning in general, […]

There are a variety of reasons that people in Silicon Valley seek out a qualified estate planning lawyer. There’s the need to provide for your heirs or to protect them from tax penalties, for example. But many people are discovering that an estate planning lawyer can also help them develop the legacy they wish to […]