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A power of attorney is one of the most commonly used estate planning documents. Most people execute at least one power of attorney, or POA, at some point during their lifetime. In fact, a POA is such a commonly used legal document that most people do not stop to think about the power behind a POA. If you have been asked to sign a POA, or you are contemplating creating one, you need to first make sure you understand what you are signing. Understanding the power in a California power of attorney … [Read more...] about Understanding the Power in a California Power of Attorney

Create an estate plan is something that everyone should do early on in life. Unfortunately, it is also something that people tend to put off for a variety of reasons.  If you have made the wise decision to get started on your estate plan, the best way to do so is to consult with an experienced California estate planning attorney; however, it never hurts to learn some estate planning basics ahead of time. If you are a woman, your estate planning needs may be different than those of your male … [Read more...] about Women’s Estate Planning Guide

High net worth families should be quite concerned about the federal estate tax. This tax can alter the trajectory of your family's financial future, because it carries a very hefty 40 percent maximum rate. There is a federal estate tax credit or exclusion. This is the amount that can be transferred tax-free to people other than your spouse. For the rest of 2016, the estate tax exclusion stands at $5.45 million. There are annual adjustments to account for inflation, so the exclusion is … [Read more...] about Estate Planning, Taxation, and Your Home

There are different types of asset transfer vehicles that you can use when you are planning your estate. You can choose to use a simple will to state your final wishes, but you do have other options. Why would you want to consider an alternative to a simple will? Let's begin by answering this question. The Drawbacks of Probate Let's say that you maintain personal possession of your property throughout your life. You create a last will expressing your final wishes with regard to the … [Read more...] about A “Simple Will” May Not Be as Simple as You Think

When you are engaged in your estate planning efforts, you should sit back and evaluate the people who would have an interest in your estate. If you keep your head in the sand and assume that everything will fall into place after you are gone, difficulties can arise when everything is being sorted out. Many people assume that a last will is the right estate planning document if you are not a very wealthy person. When you create a will, you name an executor. This is the person who handles the … [Read more...] about Contesting a Will: What Are the Acceptable Grounds?