As we’ve discussed previously, your spouse can’t stop you from getting a divorce -- no matter how averse they are to the idea. You do, however, still have to go through the proper steps in the divorce process, and that means first making sure that your spouse is...
Year: 2021
If your spouse won’t cooperate, can you still get divorced?
There are many cases in which two spouses do not agree on the decision to get divorced. One person wants to end the marriage and the other wants to stay together. They’re not making a joint decision, but the person who doesn’t want to split up usually understands that...
Am I too young for an estate plan?
If you are over the age of 18, it is an appropriate time to look into starting your basic estate plan. While you may or may not have significant assets at this age, having an estate plan is still important. When you’re younger, the more important aspects of an estate...
Understanding how the California probate process works
The death of a loved one can be incredibly devastating. However, you still have responsibilities to handle even during the grieving period. You have to look into the deceased’s estate and assets -- and this can require a great deal of effort and time. A person’s...
What type of wills are available in California?
Estate planning can be a lot to take in all at once. There are a lot of concepts involved, but the easiest way to get through the process is to take it one step at a time. Let’s take a closer look at the different types of wills available to California residents. 3...
Are trusts only for wealthy people?
When you hear the phrase “trust-fund kids,” you might assume you need to be rich to use a trust. Yet, trusts can help anyone when estate planning, regardless of how much money you have in the bank. Trusts can help you protect your assets. You, the settlor, put assets...
Estate planning tasks to complete when getting married again
What is the one critical thing about yourself that has improved since your first marriage? You are smarter than you were the first time you got married. You have probably learned much about what to do and what not to do in a marriage. Many Californians considering...
What happens to digital assets when you die?
Estate planning traditionally focused on physical assets, such as your home, and financial assets, such as investments, retirement plans and money in the bank. All of those remain as important as ever. Yet, you probably realize that a lot of the things you own are...
How do you disinherit people from your estate plan?
After you go through different events in your life, you may find that you no longer want to have certain people be heirs to your estate. For example, if you separate from your spouse and get a divorce, you may want to remove them from your estate plan or take...
Remember to review and update your estate plan
An estate plan isn’t an immutable document that is created, then stashed away unchanged -- perhaps for years or even decades -- until your death. It needs to be periodically updated as circumstances warrant, especially if your life changes, either in anticipated or...