No matter how much you love your stepchildren and want to plan for their futures, California laws don’t generally recognize stepsons and stepdaughters as immediate heirs. Knowing that, if you don’t specifically list your stepkids in your estate plan, they might not have any legal rights to your assets. That means when you pass away, […]

Deciding to live abroad can be an exciting time in anyone’s life. A lot of planning goes into making such a drastic move, but one area that Bay Area trust lawyers see commonly overlooked is estate planning. While estate planning is not the most exciting element to think about when planning a new life in […]

You might not think creating an estate plan is necessary unless you’re older or have developed a terminal illness. However, an estate plan can benefit people of any age. It’s a good idea to plan for the unexpected, so your assets remain protected and anyone who depends on you will receive the financial assistance necessary […]

There is good news for Americans collecting Social Security benefits in 2022. The roughly 70 million who receive Social Security benefits will receive the highest cost of living increase in four decades. This increase was made to offset inflation. Those receiving Social Security and Supplemental Security Income stand to receive a nearly six percent (5.9%, […]

Planning for death can be an unpleasant experience for anyone. It often comes with uncomfortable conversations and difficult decisions. However, creating an estate plan is one of the most important things you can do in life. If you want to protect your loved ones and ensure they receive the care and assistance they need when […]

The Covid-19 pandemic continues to affect individuals and families throughout the country. During the last two years, many people started thinking about their futures and the type of financial security they require in their lives. Business owners reevaluated how they run their businesses and handle their finances. If the pandemic taught us anything, it’s that […]

When you create an estate plan, you might wonder how to avoid or reduce gift and estate taxes when your beneficiaries receive your assets. An irrevocable trust is an excellent option to accomplish this goal. More specifically, a Grantor Retained Annuity Trust (GRAT) could minimize estate and gift tax liability. What Is a GRAT? A […]

While creating an estate plan with a Santa Clara will and trust lawyer, it’s nearly always advisable to include directives regarding medical treatment, incapacity, and end-of-life care. If you don’t outline your wishes for these particular scenarios, you may leave your family with the difficult responsibility of making these decisions for you.  Worse, they may […]

You’ve worked hard. You’ve built up a nice nest egg that you hope to someday leave to your kids. Your “ducks are in a row” and you’re in good financial standing. Do you need to worry about creditors getting their hands on your money? You just might! This is because the money that you leave […]

There are many reasons to establish a trust, chief among them is to ensure that your loved ones are provided for and that your wishes are honored if something happens to you. Establishing a trust also allows a greater level of control regarding the way your estate is handled after your death.  Below, our Santa […]