Have you ever wondered what is the worst that can happen if you become incapacitated or pass away without an estate plan in place? If you have, you’re not alone. This is actually a common question our Silicon Valley estate lawyers receive, especially from those in close-knit families who believe that their kids (or other […]

Bay Area Trust attorneys know that Trusts are an excellent tool for estate planning and asset protection purposes. The most common type of trust is a Revocable Living Trust, which holds your assets and helps avoid the probate process when you pass away. However, Revocable Living Trusts do not help much when it comes to […]

It is well known that probate in California is not only costly but has the potential to be very time-consuming. Many look for loopholes in the system as an attempt to shorten or eliminate the probate process. Some believe that adding their child’s name to their bank accounts or even placing their child’s name on […]

If you plan on leaving money to minor children in your Last Will and Testament, you’ll have an important issue to consider: Who will be in charge of managing the inheritance and keeping the child’s money safe from being lost or squandered if the parents pass away? Estate planning is often easier for married couples […]

More than half of Americans now have at least one chronic health condition, mental disorder, or substance abuse issue. That is a staggering statistic that Silicon Valley estate planning lawyers who work with sick and disabled clients confront every day. There are varying definitions of what it means to be “chronically ill.” One definition is […]

The IRS recently announced the 2021 federal estate tax rate exemption, which is $11.7 million for individuals and $23.4 million for married couples. This is increased from $11.58 million and $23.16 million respectively in 2020. Under this new guidance, wealthy Americans will be able to leave up to $23.4 million to their heirs without being […]

Estate planning offers legal protection for families and individuals through all of life’s transitions. Using tools such as wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives, estate planning helps individuals protect their wishes, safeguard their assets, and ensure provision and care for their loved ones following their death or incapacity. What Does My Estate Plan […]

A serious health diagnosis can force some tasks—especially ones you’ve been putting off—to the top of the priority list. Santa Clara will lawyers know that estate planning is one of these tasks that’s often left for another day, as people don’t like to think about sickness or death when they are feeling well and of […]

Now that we’ve left 2020 in hopes of a better 2021, Silicon Valley estate planning lawyers are encouraging their clients to reflect on legal changes that may have gone overlooked in the past year. Last January, the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act was rolling out. There was a lot of discussion […]

Dying intestate, or without a will, is unfortunately very common. If you die without a will, your property will go through a court process called probate and will ultimately be distributed according to California’s intestacy laws. Here are some common events that may happen if you die intestate: Your immediate next of kin, whoever they […]