What is a Transfer on Death Deeds? Transfer on Death Deeds is the least expensive way to transfer real property without having to go through the headache of probate or creating a revocable living trust. Beginning January 2016 and lasting until January 2021, revocable transfer on death deeds are currently legal in California. Revocable means…
Here is a situation I experienced with one of my new clients seeking help with an older trust… Does this look like yours? If I remember correctly, you indicated that your Estate Plan was made 15 years ago. If you have not made any changes to those documents since then, they likely contain what we…
One of the Most Common Questions That We Get Asked is if There’s a Way to Protect the Home? How do I protect my house? Can I protect my home from a nursing home stay or keep it away from Medicaid so that if I have to go to a nursing home, my family can…
Online Estate Plans Is Online Estate Plans a Good Idea? A question that I’m asked a lot is regarding website solutions and whether or not you truly need an attorney to draft your estate plan. In my opinion, 100 percent, you need an attorney to draft your estate plan. I can’t tell you how many…
Care Instructions Including Living Wills Now More Than Ever Review Your Health – Although this is undoubtedly a truly sensitive subject, it must be addressed. All of us should review healthcare-related documents, including a living will, DNR, healthcare directive, and HIPAA release immediately. You need to have signed current documents in place that reflect your…
Living Trust Primary Purpose of a Living Trust – Assets titled in the name of the trust avoid probate and provide privacy from the public in regards to your assets. In addition, a named trustee may serve to avoid having a guardian or conservator appointed for you by the state as you age or become…
Do You Want to Pay Estate Taxes? No? Using of Trusts for Estate Tax Savings – Well, if you haven’t planned, you might be paying them anyway. When you made your Will, did you leave any money to the government? No way, right? You might be wrong about that. Most of us don’t want to…
HOA Board All too often, boards spend large amounts of time focused on relatively unimportant matters, so as a result, weightier matters get ignored. It can be easy to get caught arguing about an endless number of minor issues and lose sight of their responsibilities. They might skimp on items like reserves or insurance to…
AB5 A new and controversial law governing “gig work” (a fancy term for independent contractors) in California went into effect on January 1, 2020. Several groups, including freelance writers and Uber drivers, are fighting the regulation that was signed in September 2019 by Governor Gavin Newsom. The law is popularly known as AB5. The law…
Homeowner Association Serving on your homeowner association (HOA) board can be a thankless, challenging, and lonely job. It might seem like no one wanted it, and somehow I got stuck with it kind of a position. Usually, the job description comes with late-night maintenance phone calls, long-winded alcohol-induced suggestions, and the expectations that it is…