What Is the Purpose of Making an Estate Plan in California? By Sandra McCarthy|October 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 Comments Off on What Is the Purpose of Making an Estate Plan in California?
Digital Assets Estate Planning: What You Need to Know By Sandra McCarthy|November 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 Comments Off on Digital Assets Estate Planning: What You Need to Know
6 Critical Estate Planning Tools Explained By Sandra McCarthy|December 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 Comments Off on 6 Critical Estate Planning Tools Explained
State Specific Estate Planning Laws for Californians: What You Need to Know By Sandra McCarthy|January 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
What Is The Role of an Executor In Estate Planning? By Sandra McCarthy|January 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
Estate Planning for Blended Families: Our Top Tips By Sandra McCarthy|October 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 Comments Off on Estate Planning for Blended Families: Our Top Tips
How to Create Your Own Estate Planning Flowchart in 7 Easy Steps By Sandra McCarthy|November 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 Comments Off on How to Create Your Own Estate Planning Flowchart in 7 Easy Steps
10 Benefits of Estate Planning (in California) You Need to Know By Sandra McCarthy|November 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 Comments Off on 10 Benefits of Estate Planning (in California) You Need to Know
What Is Fair in a Second Marriage and Estate Planning? By Sandra McCarthy|October 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 Comments Off on What Is Fair in a Second Marriage and Estate Planning?
What Exactly Is GRAT Estate Planning? By Sandra McCarthy|October 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 Comments Off on What Exactly Is GRAT Estate Planning?
How to Open an Estate Account During Probate By Sandra McCarthy|November 3rd, 2019|Probate| There are five steps to open an estate bank account. 1) File Probate; 2) Get Letters Issued; 3) Apply for Tax ID Number (EIN); 4) Select the Bank; 5) Deposit Funds and Open Account. Opening an estate bank account is not difficult if you have the correct forms. It is a good idea to hire a registered legal document assistant to help you with the probate process so there will be no delays to be able to open an estate account during probate. Read More 2
Storing Estate Planning Documents By Sandra McCarthy|January 18th, 2016|Estate Planning| Many clients for whom we have prepared a living trust ask us about the best place for storing estate planning documents. From storing such documents with your bank, to providing loved ones with copies, the place you choose for storing your estate planning documents needs to be where your beneficiaries can reach them in the [...] Read More 1
Probate Estate Planning: What You Need to Know By Sandra McCarthy|August 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 Comments Off on Probate Estate Planning: What You Need to Know
Understanding Federal Estate and Gift Tax Rates in California By Sandra McCarthy|September 12th, 2022|Estate Planning, Probate| The federal gift tax is a tax by the government that applies to either assets left by a decedent at their death or assets given by an individual during their lifetime. In essence, whether you give your assets away while you are still living, or give them away when you die, they are subject to a tax. Gift tax applies to lifetime gifts; estate tax applies to assets left at death. Read on to learn about the federal estate and gift tax and how it may affect your estate. Read More 0
What We Can Learn About Estate Planning from Sean Connery’ Death By Sandra McCarthy|March 2nd, 2021|Estate Planning| One of the more high-profile deaths we had in 2020 was of Sir Sean Connery, who died peacefully on October 31, 2020, in his home in the Bahamas at 90 years old. Connery had a prolific, multi-decade acting career, but he was probably best known for his role as James Bond. He was the [...] Read More Comments Off on What We Can Learn About Estate Planning from Sean Connery’ Death
“Gilligan’s Island” Star Dawn Wells Dies of COVID-19: Did She Have an Estate Plan? By Sandra McCarthy|February 19th, 2021|Estate Planning, Probate| Actress Dawn Wells of Gilligan’s Island fame tragically passed away on December 30, 2020, of causes related to COVID-19. She was 82 years old. Wells is most famously known for playing Mary Ann on the 1960s sitcom Gilligan’s Island. The show spawned multiple TV movie spin-offs and other TV guest roles and films for [...] Read More Comments Off on “Gilligan’s Island” Star Dawn Wells Dies of COVID-19: Did She Have an Estate Plan?
What are My Duties as Executor of a Will? By Sandra McCarthy|March 31st, 2020|Probate| In California, most people who put together an estate plan appoint someone as executor of their will. One of the main duties as executor of a will is to carry out the decedent's wishes after they die. If you are the executor of a will, your duties begin when you open the estate for probate with the court. They do not end until the estate settles and every beneficiary gets his or her share of the estate. California law acknowledges that being an executor of a will is a real job, so if you need help with the probate documents, rely on a professional. Contact A People’s Choice to help you prepare and file the forms for California probate. Read More 2
Tips and Best Kept Secrets for Executors of Estates By Sandra McCarthy|May 20th, 2020|Probate| Being appointed executor of an estate can put you in a stressful situation, but luckily there are a plethora of options out there to help simplify the process! For example, in this blog post we've outlined our top tips and best kept secrets for executors of estates. Plus, we provide hands-on legal document assistance so you don't have to hire an expensive attorney! Reach out today for more information about how we can help. Read More Comments Off on Tips and Best Kept Secrets for Executors of Estates
How a California Durable Power of Attorney Can Help You Plan for the Future By Sandra McCarthy|August 16th, 2020|Estate Planning| Did you know that a durable power of attorney is different from a power of attorney document? Believe it or not, a California durable power of attorney helps you plan for your future under different circumstances. Read on to learn more about the benefits of a durable power of attorney, what it means, and how A People's Choice can assist with your estate planning needs. Read More Comments Off on How a California Durable Power of Attorney Can Help You Plan for the Future
Estate Documents Form By Sandra McCarthy|March 7th, 2024| A People’s Choice legal document preparation service in Ventura California can save you hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars by preparing your California court and other legal documents instead of an expensive attorney! Read More Comments Off on Estate Documents Form