Unfortunately, family feuds that center around someone’s will or trust are a tale as old as time. Even if this is not something you have personally experienced, you may have heard a few horror stories. As Santa Clara will and trust lawyers, we have seen them! While family squabbles after the death of a loved […]

Being a responsible parent is usually associated with bedtime stories with toddlers, homework reminders for grade schoolers, and trying to decide whether or not your teenager is responsible enough to drive to school on his or her own. Creating an estate plan for those children is not something we usually associate with responsible parenting, but, […]

Not too long ago, a person who decided to leave an inheritance behind for their pet might be considered eccentric, to say the least. Take, for example, the case of Leona Helmsley: when she died in 2007, she left her dog Trouble an inheritance worth $12 million. While there may have been other factors weighed […]

Many people plan for their retirement by using Roth IRAs due to their great tax benefits, but most don’t know that Roth IRAs are also excellent for avoiding probate. First, here are some basics about tax planning with Roth IRAs that Santa Clara County probate lawyers typically go over with their clients:   Unlike traditional […]

When it comes to creating a special needs plan for a loved one with disabilities, it’s the hope that all family members are in agreement and ideally on the same page. But, as a Silicon Valley special needs lawyer, I have seen that even if everyone is working together, there can be issues when the […]

A common concern for those who have remarried is that they still want to leave the bulk of their estate to their adult children without abandoning their current spouse. The solution? Create a life estate. A life estate is an interest in property that allows a person to use a property for the rest of […]

Dying intestate, or without a will, is very common. If you die without a will, your property will go through probate and is then distributed according to California’s intestacy laws. Intestacy laws govern intestate property. They go into effect unless there is a valid will to testify to the deceased’s wishes or some other established […]

Special needs planning in Santa Clara County can be daunting if you’re just starting. However, a Santa Clara County special needs lawyer can save you the headache of planning and the worry over whether your plan will be executed properly. If you’re new to special needs planning and aren’t sure where to start, check out […]

Giving your children and grandchildren the legacy and pride of a family business can keep your nose to the grindstone for decades. Financial security, family harmony, and growing wealth together are some of the benefits of a family business. Legacies are meant to outlive the legacy makers. If you’re a business owner in California, don’t […]

Funeral planning is not a pleasant experience, especially when you’re pre-planning your own. But, San Francisco Bay Area will lawyers stress that it’s important to have your wishes in writing for after you pass away, since you won’t be around to let anyone know what you want done once you’re gone. Do you want to […]