Estate Planning
What happens to a safe deposit box after death in California?
A safe deposit box may hold a will, trust papers or instructions for final arrangements. After a loved one dies, family members may wonder who can open the box and what they can take. Under California law, a limited process allows access before a personal...
Do you need a trust, a will or both?
Estate planning can help you protect your family, manage your property and make important decisions about your future. If you live in Bakersfield or Delano, you may wonder whether you need a will, a trust or both. The right choice depends on your assets, family...
Why should you address property carefully in an estate plan?
One of the most important goals of estate planning is making sure that your loved ones can effectively manage your assets when you die. This includes everything you own, such as homes, vehicles, land, bank accounts, family heirlooms and business interests. Crafting a...
Why do people postpone estate planning?
You might think that most of the adults you know already have their estate plan in place, and you are one of the few who do not. You would, however, be wrong. A recent report found that over half of adults have no estate planning documents at all - 56% of them, to be...
The next-of-kin law doesn’t replace a chosen health care agent
For some people, creating an advance health care directive is even more emotionally challenging than putting their will in place. No one likes to think about what kind of life-prolonging measures they want ended or continued if they’re in a coma with no expectation of...
3 issues your California advance directive can address
Advance directives are among the most valuable estate planning documents available. Unfortunately, many people assume they need to face immediate medical challenges to warrant drafting advance directives. While both medical and legal professionals often encourage...
What is the role of a successor trustee?
A revocable living trust is a flexible estate planning tool. It allows the trust creator to act as the initial trustee. They have the authority to modify the trust by changing beneficiary designations, funding it with additional assets or making other adjustments...
Why estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy
When people first hear the term “estate planning,” they may imagine it as something reserved for the wealthy trying to figure out sprawling family estates. In reality, it’s a practical step that can benefit almost anyone who wants to protect their loved ones and their...
What is a residuary estate?
An estate consists of all of the property owned by an individual who has died. After a person's passing, control of their property transfers to their estate. It is then under the management of the personal representative appointed by the probate courts or named in...
What does a diagnosis mean for your estate plan?
If you receive a significant medical diagnosis, your first step is likely to work with your medical team to consider different care options and your prognosis for recovery. But it can also have an impact on your estate plan. It is wise to consider some of the ways...