California law makes it very difficult to completely disinherit a spouse. The state’s community property system gives your surviving spouse a legal claim to a significant portion of your estate, regardless of what your will or trust says. Understanding where those boundaries are helps you make informed decisions about how your estate plan is structured. […]
Estate Planning
Still Fighting: The Estate Planning Legacy of Shannen Doherty
Shannen Doherty spent years fighting breast cancer with courage and candor. In her final days, she also fought to finalize her divorce – signing the settlement just one day before she died. More than a year later, her estate is still fighting to enforce it. Shannen’s story is a powerful reminder that even the best-laid plans can unravel when the wrong people are involved – and that naming the right Trustee may be the most important decision you ever make.
How To Choose an Executor
An executor serves as your representative after you die. The executor pays outstanding debts and taxes, gathers and safeguards assets, distributes property according to your will, and works with the probate court if necessary. In practice, the executor often also acts as an administrator and a recordkeeper and may serve as an intermediary among […]
Declare Your Independence From Intestacy
Every Fourth of July, we celebrate the right to determine our own destiny. Yet many Americans leave some of life’s most important decisions to state intestacy laws by failing to create an Estate Plan. This Independence Day, learn why declaring your independence from intestacy may be one of the most meaningful gifts you can leave for the people you love.
That Would Never Happen: The Most Dangerous Words in Estate Planning
One of the most common—and dangerous—phrases in Estate Planning is “that would never happen.” This article explores how assumptions about family dynamics, relationships, and behavior often lead to unintended conflict, litigation, and failed plans. By examining where these assumptions break down, both attorneys and families can build Estate Plans designed to withstand real-world challenges.
IRS Warning: The 2026 Dirty Dozen Tax Scams
As we approach the end of another tax season, it’s a good time to review the list of “Dirty Dozen” tax schemes published by the Internal Revenue Service for the year. Many of these schemes peak during tax time and involve fraudsters looking for ways to steal taxpayers’ money, personal information, and data. Attorneys can help their clients by alerting them to these scams and providing advice on how to avoid them.
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