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as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child or grandchild, or the death of a loved one—can make your existing plan outdated.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 [...]
For many families, the hardest part of estate planning is not the legal documents. It is the conversations that go with them. Parents often hesitate to bring up the subject with their adult children because it feels uncomfortable. From my experience, I can tell you the families who talk openly are the ones who avoid the most heartache later. The first step is to start with the reason you are planning. Your children do not need to hear every detail of your estate plan, but [...]
In recent months, I have spoken with many non-married couples who are beginning to think seriously about estate planning. Some are in long-term partnerships, others have recently moved in together, and a few have been together for decades but have chosen not to marry. Regardless of the length of the relationship, the same truth applies: without proper planning, the law will not automatically protect your partner.Unlike married couples, non-married partners do not have the same default rights when it comes to inheritance, medical decision [...]
Talking about death is not easy. However, discussing your funeral wishes in advance is one of the most considerate things you can do for your family. In Palm Springs, I often see families facing additional stress because these decisions were never addressed beforehand. Many people assume their loved ones will know what they want. The reality is that even close family members can disagree or be uncertain during difficult times. Being clear about your preferences, such as burial or cremation, the type of ceremony you [...]