What Is a Murphy Conservatorship? By Sandra McCarthy|December 9th, 2021|Probate| All conservatorships are taken seriously in California, but some are taken more seriously than others. Why? The severity of a conservatorship case is determined by the state of the conservatee or potential conservatee. While we have made other posts explaining the concept of conservatorship, this article will focus on a vital type of conservatorship [...] Read More 0
How Much Does an LLC Cost in California? By Sandra McCarthy|December 8th, 2021|Business| Starting a limited liability company anywhere in the United States can be stressful. But did you know it can also end up costing a lot? As a potential business owner, you might ask yourself, "How much does an LLC cost? Is this going to eat into my business funds?" In this article, we will [...] 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
How to Approach Cheap LLC Formation in California By Sandra McCarthy|December 1st, 2021|Business| Have you ever thought of an easy and convenient way to put your business plan into action as a business owner? An easy and cheap LLC formation might just be the answer! Creating a limited liability company (LLC) can help you achieve security for your business and accomplish your goals to become a successful [...] 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
Single Members LLC Operating Agreement: Why You Need to Create One By Sandra McCarthy|November 24th, 2021|Business| Limited liability companies are becoming the order of the day. Everyone is gradually learning that they can establish businesses without putting their personal assets on the line, which is hugely beneficial. However, even if you're going at it alone, you should put together a single members LLC operating agreement. Yes, it can feel silly [...] 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
What Is a Permanent Managing Conservatorship? By Sandra McCarthy|November 15th, 2021|Probate| There are many reasons why someone may be unable to care for themselves. The government knows this, which is why the constitution of most sovereign states or nations makes provisions for people in this category. In the US, when someone is unable to take care of themselves (be it minor or adult), there are [...] 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
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 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
DBA vs LLC: Here Are the Key Differences By Sandra McCarthy|October 27th, 2021|Business| Are you thinking about starting your own business? If so, you may find yourself in the DBA vs LLC conundrum. One of the first important decisions is choosing a business structure, and a DBA and an LLC are two of the most common choices. But how can you make an educated decision between the [...] Read More 2
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
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 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