Estate Planning 101 for Californians: Here Are the Basics By Sandra McCarthy|January 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
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
Why and How You Can Plan Your Estate Today By Sandra McCarthy|January 10th, 2022|Estate Planning| According to Forbes, most people avoid estate planning. They might feel they're too busy and will get it done at a later time in their lives. They may also fear the expense. Finally, some people also perceive estate planning as some kind of jinx. If you're like the average Joe, you may prefer to live [...] Read More 0
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 0
The Difference Between Elder Law and Estate Planning By Sandra McCarthy|December 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|December 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|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 0
What Is a Conservatorship Specialist? By Sandra McCarthy|November 22nd, 2021|Probate| Many people become incapacitated at some point in their lives. This is usually due to old age, protracted illness, or both. And when this occurs, a conservatorship arrangement can help care for the incapacitated individual. If you're a good candidate to become a conservator for a loved one and you're in need of guidance, [...] Read More 0
Elder Law and Estate Planning: What You Need to Know By Sandra McCarthy|November 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
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 0
Divorce Decree vs. Divorce Certificate: What’s the Difference? By Sandra McCarthy|November 1st, 2021|Divorce| No one really likes paperwork, but it's part of a lot of the important processes of life. This includes divorce. Once you make up your mind to file for divorce, you’ll encounter different types of documents before, during, and after the completion of the divorce process. Arguably the most important of such documents is [...] 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 0
Sales of Real Property in Probate: What You Need to Know By Sandra McCarthy|October 20th, 2021|Probate| Probate administration can be stressful, costly, and generally not fun. It comes when people are already grieved over losing a loved one, and it can involve jumping through a lot of administrative hoops. Therefore, when people are planning the proper distribution of their assets in their estate plans, they often try their best to [...] Read More 0
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 0
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 0
Estate Planning Solutions: Your Complete Guide By Sandra McCarthy|October 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
The Basics of Estate Planning and Administration By Sandra McCarthy|September 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
California Probate Law: Key Terms & Tips to Navigate the Process By Sandra McCarthy|September 22nd, 2021|California Courts, Probate| Navigating the intricacies of California probate law can be a complex and daunting task. Probate law governs the legal process of transferring property and assets after a person's death, and it includes everything from validating wills to paying off debts and distributing remaining assets to heirs or beneficiaries. In California, this process is guided [...] Read More 0
What Is Probate Estate? By Sandra McCarthy|September 20th, 2021|Estate Planning, Probate| As a popular saying attributed to Japanese writer Haruki Murakami goes, "death is not the opposite of life but a part of it." That brings to mind the fact that although death can stop a person from living, it can’t stop the person’s legacy from thriving. This, is related to the far less poetic, [...] Read More 0
What Does Probate a Will Mean? By Sandra McCarthy|September 6th, 2021|Probate| Just like birth, death is a constant in the cycle of human life. Every living thing will die someday and as of now, no one has figured out a way to live forever (even though a lot of people want to). So, as much as we would like to live forever, it’s smart to [...] Read More 0