Key Takeaways Grandparent estate planning in California involves more than writing a check. It requires coordinating 529 plans, trusts, gifting strategies, and tax rules. The 2026 annual gift exclusion is $19,000 per recipient. Married grandparents can give $38,000 per grandchild per year, tax-free, with no paperwork. Superfunding a 529 plan lets you contribute...
TL;DR: Estate planning isn't about death—it's about love. The estate planning documents California families need include living trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. Without these documents, your family faces probate costs of 4-7% of your estate (up to $46,000 on a $1 million estate), court battles lasting 9-18 months,...
Key Takeaways New Year's resolutions usually fade by February, but reviewing your estate plan in 2026 could save your family tens of thousands of dollars and months of legal complications. Federal estate tax exemptions just increased to $15 million per individual under new legislation, California property tax rules have changed under...
Key Takeaways Blended families face unique estate planning challenges that can lead to family conflicts, unintended disinheritance, and costly legal battles. In California, stepchildren have no automatic inheritance rights under intestacy laws. Without proper planning, your surviving spouse could inherit everything, leaving your children from a previous relationship with nothing. This...
Key Takeaways A living trust is powerful — but only if you complete these steps. This checklist lays out 9 often-overlooked essentials for Californians setting up a trust: funding, real estate, financial accounts, digital assets, successor trustees, healthcare directives, minors, document coordination, and ongoing reviews. Skip these, and your trust may fail...
In 2025, estate planning remains critical to securing your financial future and protecting the people you care about. Whether you aim to manage your assets efficiently, avoid unnecessary legal hurdles, or provide clear instructions for your family, choosing between living trusts versus wills or putting both in place is a pivotal decision. Both...
Navigating the complexities of guardianship for a minor child in California can be challenging. This guide provides an in-depth understanding of the process, legal requirements, and considerations involved in appointing a guardian in the event of parental incapacitation. Understanding Guardianship in California Guardianship is a legal arrangement under California law that allows...
Embracing the Future with Confidence Focusing on the present often takes precedence as young couples embark on life's journey together. However, the aspect of estate planning, though seemingly distant, is a crucial step towards securing a stable and well-prepared future. This guide emphasizes why estate planning is not just a task...
Every family right now is frightened by the magnitude of the coronavirus. They may be thinking about whether or not they should create a Living Trust. For those families with children under 18, an important part of our Trust package is the Will, where you can name a Guardian to...
During this health crisis that seems to grow in magnitude every day, parents have new concerns about life planning. In this time of uncertainty, many parents are creating Guardianships in case something should happen to them. Choosing a guardian may be one of the most difficult decisions you will make You’re identifying...
A couple in their 50’s recently came in to our Oakland office wanting to get more information about Guardianship. They had been intermittently caring for their two grandsons, 8 and 9, since they were babies. Their daughter, the boys’ mother, had substance abuse problems; the boys had different fathers, and...
