News

How Are Gifts After Death Treated According to Estate Tax Law?

After the death of an estate owner, the estate is taxed whenever the property is transferred. In order to limit estate taxes, the individual can give gifts prior to death. There are several things you should know regarding how gifts are taxed according to estate tax law.

How Long Does Probate Take?

What is Probate? The term ‘probate’ means ‘proof.’ The term probate in the legal system is proof that the will is ironclad in a court of law. A separate court, called probate court, examines the will to determine how ironclad it is. Strong wills divide assets based on what the

The Principle Of Small California Estates Using PODs in Estate Planning

Probate in California can be avoided with the use of the small estates law. California does not require estates of $150,000 or less to be probated. The assets can be collected forty days after death with a declaration or affidavit signed under penalty of perjury. The small estates law does

Benefits of Creating a Trust For Your Estate

Trusts are very beneficial for estate owners to create. They leave you with peace of mind that your family will be able to inherit your estate. There’s different trusts available today. Each are beneficial to estate planning, income taxes, and for protecting your assets.

Estate Planning for Blended Families and Common Mistakes

Meeting the person you’d like to spend the rest of your life with in a second marriage is a joyous occasion. Often, one or each person has children from a previous marriage or relationship. In a blended family, the responsibility to take care of the children falls on both parents

5 Steps in Effective Estate Planning

Starting the estate planning process now can be one of the best gifts you can give your family. You are saving them considerable time and stress, as well as protecting your assets.

Hiring a Probate Attorney

Name one family who wants to go through the probate process? No matter how close your family is, going through a probate process can lead to great family conflicts. These battles can multiply and persist for long periods. It does not matter whether it is contesting a will or executing

Boomers, Include Your Parents in Your Estate Plan!

As our population ages, people are living longer and this will change the landscape of estate planning. Baby boomers’ responsibilities now go beyond their own retirement. With both baby boomers and their parents in retirement, boomers must consider their parents’ welfare, too. This requires planning today and into the future.