Estate Planning Tag

Fix Your Outdated Living Trust Now! By Tasha Jahn, Attorney-at-Law Remember that Living Trust you created five or ten years ago? I’m sorry to tell you it was just the beginning. Since then, your family probably changed, your assets certainly changed, and believe me, the tax laws changed a lot. That means the Estate Plan that’s been sitting quietly in your drawer all this time has likely...

A California Living Trust Attorney Discusses Asset Protection Strategies & Trusts by Jeffrey Rosen, Attorney at Law Here’s a disaster I see all too often in my practice, and it breaks my heart: An inheritance which required a lifetime to accumulate is taken in an instant by a predator, creditor, or divorce after it transfers to a loved one. Lawsuits are at an all-time high. Divorce hits at...

Eight Steps for New Trustees by James L. Cunningham Jr., Attorney at Law I realize that you have just faced the difficult truth of a loved one passing away. Unfortunately, I must tell you that another difficult truth awaits: If you were named as the Trustee of an estate, it can be more than a little stressful going through a loved one’s things, finding their financials and deeds, paying their...

Are you looking for a local Pasadena estate attorney to help create your California Living Trust? I hope you’ll consider our Pasadena Estate Planning office, headed by superb attorneys Conner Clemons and Liz Seitz, and serving clients throughout the San Gabriel Valley. It’s not easy choosing a Living Trust attorney—or at least, it shouldn’t be. You Really Do Need a Specialist Estate planning...

The Coronavirus outbreak has shaken the world. Financial planning and estate planning have become a central focus for those concerned that they, or someone they care for, will contract the virus and—potentially—lose control of their affairs.  Many clients’ largest asset are their IRAs and 401(k)s. For years, when someone turned 70 ½, they would be forced to take a distribution from their...

In the month, Coronavirus has swept the United States. Naturally, estate planning has become a central focus for most people. It’s important to make sure your plan is up to date.  We have had clients call our office—concerned about their plans—concerned they aren’t properly prepared. We would like to share eight tips for your estate plan during these next few months: Make sure you know where...

Retirement planning is one of the most important financial goals for your future. When done right, you’ll be assured freedom and financial independence for later in life. When done wrong, you’re facing a future full of stress and worry. To avoid this outcome, consider the ten worst retirement planning mistakes below, and make moves now to avoid them! #1. Not Having a Retirement Plan in Place...

On January 1, 2020, the SECURE Act (Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement) went into effect. The bill is the most significant reform to retirement legislation in decades and dramatically changes how your IRA and retirement benefits are treated post-death. The most immediate impact of the bill will be felt by those nearing or in retirement.  For most people, a retirement account...

2020 is a major election year. While it’s too early to tell what that means in terms of which side of the aisle will have the majority, it’s not too early to start planning for estate tax law changes that could happen. Proposed Estate Tax Law Changes Depending on the outcome of the November elections,  there’s a strong chance that estate tax reforms will pass and be applied to assets...

The sad reality is senior citizens are often targets for con or scam artists in order to divest them of their hard-earned money. Seniors with any mental or physical incapacities are even more at risk. According to the NCOA, “While likely under-reported, estimates of elder financial abuse and fraud costs to older Americans range from $2.9 billion to $36.5 annually.” Protecting yourself and your...