Q. I recently had to lay my wife to rest after almost 50 years together. Our children keep saying that I should review our estate plan with an attorney to see if anything needs to be done and that all is in order. Do you have any suggestions as to things I should look for,… Read More »
Blog Posts Page 3
Consider Tax Savvy Year End Gifts to Family
Q. Last year around this time, you wrote an article on year-end gift planning, but I cannot find the copy I saved. My wife and I are considering making large gifts to our two children to help them remodel their homes, and we would like to do so in a way that is “tax wise”…. Read More »
New CA Law Addresses Gap In Medical Decision-Making
Q, My best friend of many years is in the hospital and is not able to tell her doctors her wishes regarding medical care. She has no close family members and–unfortunately– has not designated a Health Care Agent in writing, nor is she now capable of doing so. Is it possible for me, her long… Read More »
Advance Care Planning: Making Sure Your Loved One’s Wishes Are Honored
Q. Our parents are up in years and have become increasingly frail. I know that they both have definite wishes about advance care planning and end-of-life decisions. Any suggestions on how we might help them make sure that their wishes are honored? A. Yes, I do. The first step is to begin the conversation. There… Read More »
Legal Steps After an Alzheimer’s Diagnosis
Q. My husband was just diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, but still seems to be generally okay. Are there legal steps we should take by way of planning for the future? Yes. Once you or loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, it is important to take action to get your affairs in order. Here is my… Read More »
Can Beneficiaries Be Changed After Death? The Disclaimer
Q. My mother just died, and her Will leaves her estate equally to us three children. I am fairly well-off, but my two brothers are not quite as fortunate. Is there a way that I can redirect some or all of my share to them in a tax efficient way? A. The answer may very… Read More »
Do I Need To Update My Power of Attorney When Addresses Change?
Q. When I signed my Power Of Attorney a few years back, my primary and successor agents lived at different addresses and had different phone numbers than they do now. In order for it to remain valid, do I need to completely re-do it? A. I do receive this question from clients from time to… Read More »
Fixing a Problem Trust After the Death of a Spouse
Q. My wife and I created a Living Trust back in the year 2001. We never thought to have it reviewed or updated. She recently died and I just re-read our trust. To my surprise, it requires that her half of our assets go something called a Bypass Trust and greatly limits my access to… Read More »
Joint Tenancy vs Tenancy in Common: What’s The Difference?
Q. My brothers and I plan to buy a home together, and wonder whether we should take title to the home as joint tenants or as tenants-in-common. Can you explain the difference? A. Sure. There are distinct differences between these forms of ownership. The principal differences pertain to the equality of ownership and the right… Read More »
May Someone With Dementia Create a Will?
Q. My husband and I would like to make wills, but I am concerned because he has been recently diagnosed with early-stage dementia. Legally, can he still make a will? A. It depends, but very often the answer would be yes. Under the law, he must have what is called “testamentary capacity”. This means that… Read More »