Introduction Estate planning, a topic often associated with legal documents, financial assets, and inheritances, might not immediately conjure thoughts of delectable desserts. However, when you delve deeper, you’ll discover a surprising connection between the art of creating delicious treats and crafting a comprehensive estate plan. Just as a dessert is a thoughtful blend of ingredients…
Legal separation can introduce unique complexities to estate planning. While a separation does not terminate the legal rights of spouses to inherit from each other, it is essential to take additional steps to clarify the situation for your heirs. This blog post explores the implications of legal separation on estate planning in California and provides actionable steps to safeguard your assets and enforce your final wishes.
Planning for digital assets is important for several reasons. First, without a plan, digital assets may get lost in the Internet ether and not pass to your loved ones after your death due to the simple fact that their existence is unknown. Second, planning now means your family will not have to worry about hunting for these items upon your death while also grieving a beloved family member.
Five years ago, cryptocurrency was probably not on your radar. Today, it may be an important investment in your portfolio. You could even own some nonfungible tokens (NFTs), which are powered by the same blockchain-based technology. You should ensure that they are included in your estate plan so you can preserve them for your heirs.
More and more clients are coming to us owning cryptocurrency. Cryptocurrency is a unique asset and how to handle this asset is unique as well. Cryptocurrency isn’t a common asset left in an estate like a bank account, and many people are unfamiliar with digital currency. By leaving a detailed guide on how to access…
A Trust Beneficiary is in Prison for a Felony: Is the Trust Exposed to Creditor Liability? Recently, a client contacted our office because one of their trust beneficiaries was convicted of a felony and sent to prison. The client wanted to know what happens to the beneficiary’s interest and whether it could be accessed by…
Have you wondered what the federal landscape of estate tax has looked like over the last twenty years? It is helpful to have an understanding of current law and future changes in the law when planning your estate. Please get in touch with us if you have any questions about estate tax and how your…
The United States Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage in 2015. Prior to the landmark decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, some states were allowed to deny marriage licenses and spousal benefits to same-sex couples. Now, all states are required to issue licenses and recognize legal marriages of all couples. Benefits include federal income tax benefits, retirement…
The amount of money you can pass to your family through your estate is at an all-time high. But it will go down by at least 50% in 2026. Then big tax bills will be owed by your family. Right now, if you were to die, the government allows $11.7 million of your estate to…
What documents have taken on more immediate importance as the pandemic continues? Here is a list of documents to seriously consider dealing with immediately: Advance Health Care Directive — This document names someone to make health care decisions for you. You can describe your preferences for end-of-life care. Last Will and Testament — This document…
