A pour-over will is a simple but essential part of a complete estate plan. It works alongside your trust to make sure any assets you forgot to transfer during your lifetime are still distributed according to your wishes.
En la comunidad Latino, la familia y el hogar son el corazón de todo. Trabajamos duro para construir una vida estable, comprar una casa y ofrecer un futuro mejor a nuestros hijos. Sin embargo, muchos no se dan cuenta que, sin una buena planificación patrimonial —como un testamento o un fideicomiso (living trust)—, todo ese esfuerzo puede complicarse o incluso perderse cuando ya no estamos aquí.
To read this article in Spanish, click here. In the Hispanic community, family and home are at the heart of everything. We work hard to build a stable life, buy a house, and offer our children a better future. However, many people don’t realize that without proper estate planning—such as a will or a living trust—all that effort can become complicated or even lost when you’re no longer here. Why is planning so important? In California, if someone passes away without a [...]
When creating a trust, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is choosing a trustee. The trustee is the person or institution responsible for managing the trust’s assets according to your instructions. It is a position of great responsibility, requiring honesty, organization, and good judgment.
Starting your estate plan can feel overwhelming, especially if this is your first time considering the topic. As an attorney who has spent decades helping families in Palm Springs navigate these decisions, I can tell you that the process is much more approachable than it seems. An estate plan is simply a way to make sure your wishes are honored and your loved ones are cared for if something happens to you. The first step is to take stock of your assets and responsibilities. This [...]
Second marriages can be a wonderful new chapter in life. They often bring renewed companionship, shared dreams, and a sense of stability. At the same time, they can also introduce more complexity into estate planning, especially when both spouses bring assets, children, or even businesses into the marriage. Many couples in Palm Springs find themselves in this exact situation. Perhaps you own a home from your first marriage, while your spouse brings investment accounts or a business into the relationship. You may both have adult [...]
When most people hear the term “estate planning,” they imagine it as something to handle later in life. I often hear, “We’re still young. We don’t have much. Why would we need an estate plan?” The reality is that estate planning is not just about dividing wealth or preparing for retirement. For young families, it is about protection, clarity, and ensuring that loved ones are cared for no matter what happens. After many years of practice, I can assure you that having a plan in [...]
Estate planning is not something you do once and forget about. In California, where laws and personal circumstances can change quickly, keeping your living trust and estate planning documents up to date is essential to protect your loved ones and your assets. Life Changes Require Updates Major life events—such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child or grandchild, or the death of a loved one—can make your existing plan outdated. If your documents do not reflect your current wishes, the California’s probate [...]
Many people assume a last will is only necessary later in life or for those with significant wealth. In reality, every adult in California should have a will—it’s a simple but powerful way to protect your loved ones and ensure your wishes are followed. Without a will, California law determines how your estate is divided. This means the court—not you—decides who inherits your assets, who cares for your minor children or pets, and how your estate is handled. Friends, stepchildren, and charitable causes you care [...]
Families who have a child or relative with special needs often worry about what will happen when they are no longer around to provide care and support. That concern is very real, and the best way to address it is through careful planning. Without a plan, even the most well-intentioned inheritance can cause serious problems for a loved one. The most common mistake I see is leaving assets directly to a person with special needs. This can cause them to lose vital public benefits such [...]