Advance planning starts with understanding new rules before they come into effect. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act introduced a wide range of tax changes, including several provisions that have received relatively little attention but will affect individual and business taxpayers beginning in 2026. What follows is a summary of key changes to be […]
Estate Planning
Does an Estate Plan Affect My Taxes?
Hi there, my name is Miranda Dressler, attorney with MacKay Dressler Law Firm located in Petaluma, California. And today we’re gonna be talking about or answering a question that we get pretty often, which is, does an estate plan affect my taxes? And the short answer is yes, but maybe not in the way you […]
When To Take Social Security
When you are eligible to start collecting Social Security rests largely on your individual situation. Some people can start taking the benefit as early as age 62 — or age 60 if you are disabled — or wait until full retirement age of 67 to collect the maximum benefit. Another group of people will […]
True or False: You Can Disinherit Someone in Your Will?
So that is generally true. You know, each person who owns assets and is maybe going to be leaving assets to beneficiaries after their death can disinherit a person, meaning not include them in their will. And actually, you know, specifically exclude that person. How it works here generally in California is, you know, if […]
Top Tips for Multi-Generational Estate Planning
Multi-generational estate planning looks beyond a single transfer of assets. You are planning for children, grandchildren, and sometimes future beneficiaries who have not yet been born. That longer time horizon changes how decisions are made and which risks deserve attention. Assets must move according to your instructions while remaining protected from mismanagement, creditor exposure, family […]
Trust Basics Continuing the Conversation (Part 2)
Hey there, Bridget MacKay with MacKay Dressler Law Firm. This is a continuous vlog about the five most asked questions in our office. I left this one video recording for this one question because it is such an important one. Because those of you out there who have a trust should listen very closely. […]
See Larger Map Get Directions