Year: 2024
Death and identity theft: What to tell your heirs
Identity theft – which often involves someone trying to steal your identifying information and using it to open credit cards, obtain loans and more in your name – is a big problem these days. Believe it or not, you can’t even stop worrying about identity theft once...
2 options for debt in an estate plan
When making an estate plan, it’s important to deal with debt as well as assets. Your assets will get passed on to the next generation, and you can use your estate plan to do this. You could put financial assets in a trust, for instance, or just leave them to someone...
Why would you need a financial power of attorney?
When people think of a power of attorney, they often start by considering a medical power of attorney. This document legally gives someone else the ability to make healthcare decisions for you. If you become incapacitated, this is very helpful because they can work...
Why should your business partner have complementary skills?
If you’re looking for a business partner, your natural inclination may be to find someone that you’re comfortable with. This will probably be someone who is similar to you, and they may have similar skills and abilities. But as much as this feels natural, it is often...
What is a no-contest clause?
If you don’t want anyone to challenge your estate plan, you may consider using a no-contest clause. This clause states that a will contest is not allowed and that your beneficiaries are simply supposed to accept whatever you have decided. They may not agree with it,...
What to consider when choosing a trust administrator
Trusts are an effective way of administering your estate, and trust administrators play a crucial role in making sure your wishes get carried out efficiently and legally. These are some of the important considerations you should make when choosing a trust...
3 levels of advance medical decisions
When creating an estate plan, one thing you may want to focus on is making advanced medical decisions. You know you could become incapacitated in the future, such as if you suffer from an unexpected heart attack. You can use your estate plan to make some medical...
Are oral wills recognized in California?
Generally speaking, people who draft wills in California are going to type them on a computer and file the paperwork. California law does state that people need to be at least 18 years old to be eligible for this process, and they need to have the mental capacity to...
Why grandparents may not be the best guardians
To begin with, there are many ways in which grandparents can be great guardians. They do love their children. They also raised those children’s parents, so they know what they’re doing. They want to have a close relationship, and they can provide stability and...
Can you form an LLC without a partner?
Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) are generally lauded for their ability to combine the ease of use of a sole proprietorship or general partnership with the benefits of a corporation. But can you create an LLC if you’re just a one-person show, without a partner or...