The grief of putting my dog down got me wondering about how animals process grief and how much harder it may be for them since they lack the ability to put their feelings into words the way that humans can. Thus, the idea for this blog focusing on options for pets upon the death of their owners was born.
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Why a Will May Not Be Enough
A will has no legal power until it is admitted to probate and a personal representative is appointed by the court. But courts don’t act on their own after your death; someone must file the necessary paperwork. This is a built-in delay that can slow down the process significantly. Further, probate is a public […]
The Big Lesson from Tony Bennett’s Embattled Estate and Troubled Trust
When one child occupies a position of trust with a parent to the exclusion of other siblings, that causes friction. Extending that position of power after death exacerbates that friction and may cause irreparable harm. It seems that happened upon the death of beloved singer, Tony Bennett. His daughters have sued their brother on two different occasions leveling some unflattering allegations.
Estate Planning for LGBTQIA+ Families
Even for people with straightforward finances, estate planning can be confusing. For LGBTQIA+ individuals and couples, it’s often more complicated, especially if you entered a domestic partnership or civil union before same-sex marriage became legal nationwide. In some states, those unions may still carry legal weight, while they don’t in others. It’s worth reviewing […]
Pride Month Sheds Light on LGBTQ+ Estate Planning
Pride Month is a celebration of visibility, dignity, and community. It’s also a reminder to take meaningful steps toward protecting the life you’ve built. If you’re part of the LGBTQ+ community, estate planning gives you the legal structure to reflect your relationships, secure your future, and prevent unwanted interference. California law offers stronger protections than […]
Managing RMDs and Taxes
Required minimum distributions are mandated (as the name implies) and taxed as ordinary income based on your current tax rate — the higher your income for the year, the higher your tax rate. However, you can have some control over the timing and size of your withdrawals, which can help you reduce your tax […]
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