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After a person has created their first estate plan, circumstances may change. They may have more children, acquire more assets, or divorce a spouse. These changes may result in the need to review and consider making changes to a will if an estate plan has previously been established. The Importance of Updating and Making Changes to a Will If someone [...]
A will is meant to be the last word on how one wants his or her property to be disposed of upon their death. However, it is often difficult to please everyone with the way the property is divided. There may be a person in the deceased’s will who feels he should have received more [...]
You can contest a will in California based on the way it was created or executed, and based on the circumstances under which the will was made. In terms of legal formalities, wills are required to be signed by the person making the will, as well as two witnesses. In the case of a holographic [...]
One of the most basic forms of estate planning is to prepare a will. A will can be extensive and cover every detail of dividing your property, naming guardians for minor children, and executors for your will. Alternatively, it can be just a simple document dealing primarily with property distribution. Additionally, if you have a [...]
Incorporating will not keep another business from using your name. Generally, every business must protect its own business name and the good will that it has acquired from the sale of its goods or services in a specific geographic area. Filing articles of incorporation only prevents the secretary of state from filing a document to [...]
Sia recently opened up about her journey to motherhood. The Grammy-award-winning pop star, 44, adopted two 18-year-olds out of the foster care system last year. During an interview with SiriusXM, the typically private singer confirmed she adopted kids in 2019. “I actually adopted two sons last year. They were 18, they’re both 19 years [...]
If you are settling an estate through the probate process, most likely you will need a probate referee. The role of a probate referee is to appraise property in the estate. A probate referee is a professional, usually an attorney, a certified public accountant, or a person with several years of professional experience in property appraisal. [...]
Anyone who has settled the estate of a deceased loved one has likely heard of probate. It's essentially the legal process of administering a person’s estate when they die. It includes the distribution everything that person owned: cash, real estate, cars, investments, retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and more. Probate is designed to [...]
With our living trust preparation checklist, a DIY trust is possible! Plus, by working with a registered legal document assistant such as A People's Choice, you can avoid high attorney's fees for help drafting your trust. Read on for our complete California living trust checklist and to learn more about the necessary actions that come along with writing a trust.
We’ve all heard of the statistic “50% of all marriages end in divorce.” It perfectly illustrates just how common divorce is in America. The good news is that that statistic is from the 80s, and things have gotten much better since then. Divorce rates for most age groups have dropped over the past 30 years, [...]
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 [...]
California Advance Healthcare Directive Create your advance healthcare directive today State your desires about your healthcare in any situation in which you are unable to make your own decisions and choose who may speak on your behalf. The agent you name in your healthcare directive has the power to: Give [...]
California Financial Power of Attorney Create your financial power of attorney today This important document makes sure your personal affairs can be property handled without the delay and cost of court intervention. The attorney-in-fact you appoint has the authority to do some or all of the following: Use your assets [...]
California Revocable Trust Estate Plan Establish your living trust estate plan today A revocable trust is often the most important part of a person’s estate plan. Also known as a living trust, a revocable trust: Enables the estate to avoid probate in California Will avoid a court conservatorship in case [...]
California Living Trust Estate Plan Package Establish your living trust estate plan today Our all-inclusive estate planning document package provides you with peace of mind knowing all your bases are covered. A complete estate plan is a group of documents that defines: Who receives your possessions when you pass away [...]
California Special Needs Trust Estate Plan Protect the needs, lifestyle, and future well-being of your loved one A special needs trust is created for the sole benefit of a disabled or mentally ill beneficiary. There are many benefits of a special needs trust in estate planning: Maintain SSI or Medicaid [...]
Divorced couples in California may wonder if their divorce records are available to the public. After all, many people value their privacy, and divorce is often a messy topic. The short answer is yes: divorce records are public in California. This means anyone can obtain a copy of your divorce decree. This can be [...]
The main reason to create a Durable Power of Attorney for finances is to avoid court proceedings if you become incapacitated. If you don’t have a Durable Power of Attorney, your relatives or other loved ones will have to file formal court proceedings and ask a judge to name someone to manage your financial affairs. [...]
A Durable Power of Attorney has limitations and restrictions. Here are some things a Durable Power of Attorney cannot authorize your agent: To make healthcare decisions for you To marry on your behalf To adopt anyone on your behalf To vote for you in public elections To represent you in legal proceedings To make a [...]
Many individuals choose to create a living trust so their estate can avoid probate upon their death. Oftentimes, probate is an expensive and complicated process that your family has to take care of after you pass. Plus, if you create a living trust, you can make it revocable. In other words, you have the option [...]
