As a Silicon Valley trust lawyer, I know that it’s an unfortunate reality that people are afforded very little privacy here in California when they pass away. Under the laws of our state, and in every other state across the country, sensitive details about one’s estate and how much their loved ones stand to inherit […]

Few things in this world are as devastating as losing a partner. If you have suffered the loss of your life partner, our hearts go out to you. As Bay Area estate planning lawyers, we understand how the grief can be debilitating, and the last thing you want to think about is your “to do” […]

Will and trust lawyers in Santa Clara realize that there are many reasons why people put off estate planning. Some think that being young and healthy means they won’t need to worry about drafting up a will anytime soon. Others are just too uncomfortable thinking about what would happen to their spouse and children if […]

Earlier this year, a story about a dog in Virginia made national news. The dog was euthanized at the owner’s request. While stories of beloved pets being put to sleep aren’t usually newsworthy, this one made headlines because the dog was healthy and friendly. So why was he euthanized? Because it was in the owner’s […]

The phrase “trust fund” often brings to mind a particular type of person, namely someone who comes from a wealthy family with an excessive amount of money available to spend on luxury and frivolity. Although there are families who have that kind of generational wealth that’s passed down to them through a trust fund, it’s […]

Preparing for college can be exhausting for both the student and their parents. Between paying tuition, getting registered for classes, and setting up a dorm room or apartment, there’s a lot of time and money involved. One of the most important aspects of planning for college that’s often overlooked is setting up some basic estate […]

Every estate planning attorney in Santa Clara has, at some point in their career, heard a sad story about complications in handling a loved one’s estate. Legal language can be tricky, and sometimes a minor mistake can cause major problems. One way to prevent potential conflict among family members or a lengthy and expensive probate […]

The national news has been filled with tragedy lately, including acts of senseless violence committed against random strangers. Families and communities across the nation are mourning the loss of their loved ones and doing what they can to help the survivors. While most people are wondering if such a tragic event could ever happen in […]

Estate planning for a married couple is often pretty straightforward: you leave all of your property and money to your spouse who also takes care of the minor children. But what happens if both parents pass away unexpectedly or if you’re a single parent creating an estate plan? Parents will usually say “then the children […]

Modern technology has put research tools once only available to professionals in the hands of everyday people. With nothing more than access to the internet, we can trace our family trees back several centuries. We can now order DNA testing kits through the mail, allowing us to discover our genetic roots without leaving our homes. […]