Estate Administration Blog - The Law Offices of Eric A. Rudolph

Why Your Legacy Plan Should Include More Than Just Legal Documents

When most people think about creating an estate plan, they picture paperwork: wills, trusts, powers of attorney. And while these legal documents are essential, they don’t tell the full story of who you are or what matters most to you. True legacy planning goes beyond dividing assets — it’s about capturing the essence of your life, your values, and the love you leave behind. One beautiful way to enhance your legacy is by including personal letters to your loved ones as part of your plan. [...]

April 30th, 2025|Estate Administration, Estate Planning|

Let’s Talk About Legacy Planning: What It Is and Why It Matters

You might’ve heard the term Legacy Planning floating around lately—it’s becoming more and more common, and for good reason. While it may sound like a fancier version of estate planning, Legacy Planning has a slightly different focus: it’s not just about what happens after you’re gone, but about how you want to impact future generations. As an estate planning attorney here in California, I’ve had several clients recently ask, “Can we talk about Legacy Planning?” And my answer is always “Yes, absolutely”. What Is Legacy [...]

April 16th, 2025|Estate Administration, Estate Planning|

Why Every Californian Needs an Advance Health Care Directive

Are you a California resident who has not yet established an Advance Health Care Directive (AHCD)? If so, you need to consider doing so sooner rather than later, not only to protect your loved ones but to protect yourself as well. Each state provides a default healthcare decision-making process if you fail to plan. This default process comes in a one-size-fits-all approach that may not align with your personal wishes. For many individuals, the state's default plan may spell disaster! What Is an Advance Health [...]

April 8th, 2025|Estate Administration, Estate Planning|

Problem Children

I recently had a client we will call John Smith. John is a widower who has three adult children and set up his living trust to provide for and protect his family. One of John’s children, we will call Meagan, is a successful businesswoman and has provided John with two wonderful grandchildren. The other two children are problem children. One of his children, who we will call Richard, is a homeless drug addict. The other child, who we will call Darlene, is married to [...]

November 4th, 2024|Estate Administration, Estate Planning|

Revocable Trusts Versus Irrevocable – What You Need to Know

Proper estate planning is an important matter—but in the event of your death, not having an estate plan for your assets can make things difficult and costly for your loved ones. Without a properly drafted estate plan conveying your wishes, everything you have worked hard to achieve and protect will be controlled and distributed according to the State of California! Don’t let that happen!A Revocable Living Trust directs how your assets will be distributed and enables your successor trustee to carry out your instructions when [...]

October 28th, 2024|Estate Administration, Estate Planning|

Intestate Succession: Protecting Your Legacy When There’s No Will

At the Law Offices of Eric A. Rudolph, P.C., we often see the unintended consequences when someone passes away without a will. This situation, known as dying "intestate," can leave your loved ones facing complex legal challenges. Let's explore what intestate succession means for you and your family.Understanding Intestate SuccessionWhen you die without a valid will, state laws determine how your assets are distributed. This process, called intestate succession, may not align with your wishes or your family's needs.How Your Assets May Be DistributedUnder [...]

October 14th, 2024|Estate Administration, Estate Planning|

Your Advance Health Care Directive

Your Advance Health Care Directive allows you to make important health care decisions and designate an agent to carry out your wishes in the event you are incapacitated. A "Living Will" and "Power of Attorney for Health Care" are similar documents used in other states, but in California, the Advance Health Care Directive (“AHCD”) is the estate planning document that is used to let your wishes regarding medical decisions be known.

August 25th, 2024|Estate Administration, Estate Planning|

What is a Living Trust?

A living trust is an estate planning document you can create during your lifetime. Assets are transferred to your living trust (such as your real property, bank accounts, and brokerage accounts). While you are alive, your trustee (who is usually you) will have complete control over all trust assets and can move the assets in and out of your living trust as needed.

June 12th, 2024|Estate Administration, Estate Planning|

When Should You Update Your Living Trust?

How often should a living trust be updated? I recommend you review your living trust every three to five years. This gives you the opportunity to look at it with fresh eyes. In my experience, when clients have a living trust prepared, the binder with the trust documents is set on a shelf and rarely looked at again.

June 4th, 2024|Estate Administration, Estate Planning|

Choosing Your Trustee

One of the biggest decisions you will make when creating your Living Trust is choosing who will be your Trustee. Learn more about the factors you should consider when choosing a competent trustee of your estate.

May 6th, 2024|Estate Administration, Estate Planning|