As a San Francisco Bay Area estate planning lawyer, I am often asked by my clients to explain what comprises a basic estate plan. Unfortunately, there’s no simple answer to this question because an estate plan always depends on the situation and the needs of the individual. For instance, a basic estate plan for one […]

By Silicon Valley Estate Planning Attorney Gary Brainin If you’ve heard of a 529 Plan, you probably think of it as a means of education funding for your children or grandchildren. These plans are sponsored by state agencies or educational institutions, and they’re available to people of all income brackets. While a 529 Plan is […]

By Bay Area Will and Trust Lawyer Gary Brainin If you’re not familiar with Marie Kondo, take some time this week to watch one of her videos on YouTube or check out her new Netflix series, Tidying Up with Marie Kondo. It’s incredible to watch the relief and joy that people experience just by implementing […]

By Silicon Valley Will and Trust Attorney Gary Brainin As people get into their senior years, it is natural to start thinking about the end of life. Those thoughts can bring about concern regarding the type of inheritance to leave to adult children and exactly how to carry out your wishes when passing down your […]

Your time and energy are spent helping your child with special needs to get the most out of life. But have you ever considered what would happen to your child if you were to suddenly become incapacitated or pass away? Working with a Silicon Valley will and trust lawyer experienced in special needs law is an […]

Joint ownership in layman’s terms is synonymous with co-ownership. If a property is owned by more than one individual, it is referred to as being held in joint ownership. What is the Advantage of Joint Ownership as an Estate Planning Method? One of the major advantages of joint ownership of an asset is that it […]

Most parents expect their children to inherit their assets if they unexpectedly pass away. But what happens if the child is a minor when mom or dad dies? Because the minor is not a legal adult and cannot inherit assets, a Santa Clara County probate judge will need to appoint a legal guardian who will […]

You’ve most likely seen articles and news segments about cryptocurrency. The most well-known is Bitcoin, but there are several others on the market. For the uninitiated, cryptocurrency is a digital or virtual currency that uses cryptography for security, making it difficult to counterfeit. One of the main reasons why people and investors like cryptocurrencies is […]

When done properly, an estate plan affords peace of mind to those creating it and leaves behind a legacy for their descendants. But sometimes estate planning can go awry—and it’s usually due to eccentricities held by either the creators of the estate plan, the beneficiaries, or both. As a Santa Clara County estate planning lawyer, […]

Just about everyone knows or loves someone with a substance abuse problem. The detrimental effects impact many facets of American society. Sadly, as a Santa Clara trust lawyer, I am seeing an upswing in the number of clients that have to deal with a loved one’s substance abuse in their estate planning. Most parents want […]