The birth of a new child really changes your life. You have to think about how to take care of someone who is completely dependent on you. You need to adjust your schedule -- especially your sleep schedule. It can feel like there is just so much to consider. As you...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...