Estate Planning 101 for Californians: Here Are the Basics By Sandra McCarthy|2023-05-12T06:51:28-07:00January 25th, 2022|California Courts, Estate Planning| Do you have an estate plan? If you live in California, do you know the basics of estate planning in the Golden State? If your answer is "no," it's time for Estate Planning 101. An estate plan is a must for every adult, but before planning your estate, you need to understand the estate [...] Read More 0
What Is The Role of an Executor In Estate Planning? By Sandra McCarthy|2023-05-12T06:51:45-07:00January 19th, 2022|Estate Planning| As the old adage goes, "Someone who fails to plan plans to fail." Planning is an integral part of human life, and the Stamp Act of 1797 gave rise to a different type of planning: estate planning. An executor is an integral part of the process. But what is the role of an executor in [...] Read More 0
SLAT Estate Planning: A Great Option for Large Estates By Sandra McCarthy|2023-05-12T06:51:52-07:00January 17th, 2022|California Courts, Estate Planning, Probate| There are many estate planning strategies out there, but which one is best? To be honest, it really depends on your situation. While most real estate strategies are designed to grow and successfully transfer assets, some are meant to look even further ahead to future generations. One of the latter, spousal lifetime access trust (SLAT) [...] Read More 0
State Specific Estate Planning Laws for Californians: What You Need to Know By Sandra McCarthy|2023-05-12T06:52:10-07:00January 12th, 2022|Estate Planning| Are estate planning laws the same in every state? Definitely not! That's why if you've recently moved from one state to another, let’s say North Dakota to California, you might have some reading about state specific estate planning laws ahead of you. The same goes if you own a business with outlets in many [...] Read More 0
6 Critical Estate Planning Tools Explained By Sandra McCarthy|2023-05-12T06:53:10-07:00December 20th, 2021|Estate Planning| "Nothing is certain but death and taxes," as Benjamin Franklin famously said. That's why estate planning is so critical; you know life has to end eventually, so you might as well be prepared. To get started, you'll need to know about some of the best estate planning tools. There are plenty of estate planning [...] Read More 0
The Difference Between Elder Law and Estate Planning By Sandra McCarthy|2023-05-12T06:54:44-07:00December 13th, 2021|Estate Planning| "Aging is a privilege denied to many." This saying rings so true, and we should treasure our time on this earth as we grow older. But there are also certain complications, such as elder estate planning, that come into play as we (or our loved ones) accrue more birthdays. Elder Law and estate planning [...] Read More 0
The 7 Most Common Estate Planning Questions Answered By Sandra McCarthy|2023-05-12T06:55:07-07:00December 6th, 2021|Estate Planning| Do you have an estate plan? If you don't and you're in the US, you're one of the more than half of Americans who doesn't have a will. However, this isn't something you want to sweep under the rug. You should prioritize drafting an estate plan for your personal assets. And when you do, [...] Read More 0
10 Benefits of Estate Planning (in California) You Need to Know By Sandra McCarthy|2023-05-12T06:55:22-07:00November 29th, 2021|Estate Planning| Plenty of people think estate planning is only for elderly, wealthy individuals. They may think estate planning holds few benefits for those who are younger or of modest means. The truth is, you don't have to be rich and elderly to reap the benefits of estate planning! You can benefit from it right now. [...] Read More 0
Elder Law and Estate Planning: What You Need to Know By Sandra McCarthy|2023-05-12T06:56:21-07:00November 10th, 2021|Estate Planning| How do elder law and estate planning compare? Although the two terms go hand in hand, they have significant differences. If you're in a situation where you're dealing with either—perhaps a loved one is getting older, or maybe you yourself are entering your golden years—it's crucial to learn about both. Whatever your reasons, if [...] Read More 0
Digital Assets Estate Planning: What You Need to Know By Sandra McCarthy|2023-05-12T06:56:31-07:00November 8th, 2021|Estate Planning| We can't overemphasize the importance of having an estate plan. And while estate planning is as old as personal assets, with the growth of technology over decades past, there’s so much more to talk about. Instead of just giving away your house and car, you now have to consider digital assets estate planning. When [...] Read More 0
How to Create Your Own Estate Planning Flowchart in 7 Easy Steps By Sandra McCarthy|2023-05-12T06:56:40-07:00November 3rd, 2021|Estate Planning, Probate| Do you ever procrastinate? Everyone has at some time or another, and estate planning is no exception in this regard. However, estate planning is one of those tasks that you shouldn't put off for long. Estate planning has significant benefits if you become incapacitated or die unexpectedly, leaving behind potential heirs. An estate planning [...] Read More 0
Estate Planning for Blended Families: Our Top Tips By Sandra McCarthy|2023-05-12T07:05:27-07:00October 25th, 2021|Estate Planning| Estate planning is essential for any family, be it nuclear or extended. And if estate planning is important for a standard family, how much more important is it be for blended families, with their added members and complexities? Financial and other relevant aspects of a person’s life, when planned carefully in advance, can benefit [...] Read More 0
What Is the Purpose of Making an Estate Plan in California? By Sandra McCarthy|2023-05-12T07:05:46-07:00October 18th, 2021|Estate Planning| Many people fear planning for the future. It's hard to blame them; no one likes considering their own mortality. Plus, planning your estate is seen by many as an unnecessary chore. What is the purpose of making an estate plan, anyway? The truth is, as a responsible person, you probably make adequate preparations regarding [...] Read More 0
What Is Fair in a Second Marriage and Estate Planning? By Sandra McCarthy|2023-05-12T07:05:54-07:00October 13th, 2021|Estate Planning, Probate| Multiple marriages are often a fact of life. According to the U.S. census bureau, 42 million Americans have been in more than one marriage. Divorce and the death of a spouse are the leading factors contributing to the end of marriages in the United States. A new marriage is considered a fresh start for many, [...] Read More 0
Estate Planning Solutions: Your Complete Guide By Sandra McCarthy|2023-05-12T07:06:03-07:00October 11th, 2021|Estate Planning| Bestselling author Jen Lancaster said, “There’s nothing fun about stuff like estate planning, getting mammograms, or talking to a guy about long-term disability insurance, but do it anyway. Trust me, the stress of not having done the above is prematurely aging.” She makes a good point here. While estate planning may not be fun, [...] Read More 0
What Exactly Is GRAT Estate Planning? By Sandra McCarthy|2023-05-12T07:06:15-07:00October 6th, 2021|Estate Planning, Probate| Archbishop Richard Cushing once said, “Always plan ahead. It wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark.” This statement greatly reflects the importance of planning. People plan for many reasons, but the prominent reason is to make the future easier and less stressful for them. For Noah, that meant building a vessel big enough to [...] Read More 0
The Basics of Estate Planning and Administration By Sandra McCarthy|2023-05-12T07:06:34-07:00September 29th, 2021|Estate Planning, Probate| According to author Henrietta Newton Martin, "To curtail complications and help in the procedure of devolution of assets after death, a will has to be well prepared and written.” It is with this quote in mind that we aim to demystify the often confusing concepts of estate planning and administration. Whether you're planning your [...] Read More 0
Start Planning with Our Easy California Estate Planning Questionnaire By Sandra McCarthy|2023-05-12T07:07:40-07:00August 25th, 2021|Estate Planning| Everyone needs an estate plan. It doesn’t matter if you have few estate assets, are living your best life in your 20s, or don’t have close ties with your family members. Estate planning allows you to prepare for unexpected events and ensures the right people or organizations inherit your personal property at your time [...] Read More 0
Probate Estate Planning: What You Need to Know By Sandra McCarthy|2023-05-12T07:08:10-07:00August 16th, 2021|Probate| Losing a loved one is hard. Not only is there sorrow; there’s also the struggle of dealing with the belongings of the person who died. In general, this legal process of administering someone’s estate when they die is called a “probate.” The hassle of going through the probate court is further complicated when [...] Read More 0
What Are Non-Probate Assets, and How Do They Affect Your Estate Planning? By Sandra McCarthy|2023-05-12T07:08:57-07:00July 28th, 2021|Estate Planning, Probate| Probate is no picnic to those who are unfamiliar with the process. For one, if you’ve been chosen as a personal representative for an estate, you’ll need a complete understanding of what a personal representative has to do with both probate and non-probate assets. And, unfortunately, California probate law doesn’t make things easier. [...] Read More 6