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As the year comes to a close, it is an ideal time to review your trust and ensure that it still reflects your goals, your family circumstances, and your current assets. Small updates made now can prevent confusion later and help your plan work exactly as intended. A year-end review does not need to be complicated. It simply helps you confirm that your documents remain accurate, complete, and aligned with your wishes. Start by checking your successor trustees. Make sure the individuals you named are [...]

The holiday season often brings blended families together under one roof, making it a natural time to think about how your estate plan reflects the people in your life today. For many families, December is one of the few moments when everyone is in the same place, creating the clarity and perspective needed to review important decisions.

As families grow and change, it’s common to find yourself balancing two important responsibilities: caring for aging parents while managing your own estate plan. Thoughtful preparation can help ensure that everyone’s needs are met and that your family’s financial and legal affairs remain organized.

For California residents, a living trust is one of the most effective tools for protecting assets, avoiding court involvement, and ensuring your loved ones are protected and provided for without unnecessary delays. While many people rely on a simple will, a properly drafted living trust offers significant advantages that make it the preferred estate-planning strategy. 1. Avoiding Probate in California California’s probate process is notoriously slow, costly, and public. Court fees, attorney fees, and administrative expenses can quickly add up—reducing the estate by thousands of [...]

Since the U.S. Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage in 2015, couples of all genders now share the same marriage rights under both federal and state law. Thankfully the U.S. Supreme Court just declined to hear a challenge to the 2015 decision legalizing same-sex marriage, so the historic 2015 decision affirming equality remains the law of the land. This result continues to define the legal and financial pros & cons for same-sex couples contemplating marriage, particularly with respect to estate planning, inheritance, and family protection. The [...]

As we get older, planning ahead becomes less about “what if” and more about ensuring peace of mind. One of the most effective ways to do that is through a power of attorney. This document allows someone you trust to step in and manage your financial or legal affairs if you become unable to do so yourself.

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.

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 [...]