Pictured above with Tereina Stidd, The new Director of Education for the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys; Attorney Collins spent the Fall Summit in the main engine room of modern planning: where trust design, tax policy, and cybersecurity converge into the real-life decisions families make under pressure. The tone of the weekend was unmistakable: practical, surgical, and focused on what works when memories fade, markets swing, and inboxes get hacked. Field-tested playbooks ready … [Read more...] about Trusts, Taxes, and Cyber Safety—Featuring Tereina Stidd, the new Director of Education for the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys
Black Wealth
Young Parents, Big Decisions: Why Your Will (and Trust) Can’t Wait
Estimated read time: 6 minutes When you’re raising kids, estate planning feels like something for “later.” Between daycare pickups, pediatric appointments, and trying to get everyone to sleep on time, it’s easy to push a will to the bottom of the list. Yet for young parents, a will is not optional—it’s how you decide who would raise your children if something happened to you. Without it, a judge decides. Full stop. The latest Caring.com survey found that only 24% of Americans have a will, and … [Read more...] about Young Parents, Big Decisions: Why Your Will (and Trust) Can’t Wait
Divorce + Your Estate Plan in California: Close the Gaps, Protect Your Future, and Redirect Your Legacy (Including Smart Charitable Moves)
Estimated time to read ⏱️ A finalized divorce does not finish your planning. California law revokes some—but not all—references to an ex. Federal rules can override state protections. Old beneficiary forms can send six figures to the wrong person. And unless you update your decision-makers, a medical crisis can leave the wrong person—or no one—legally in charge. If you want full control over who inherits, who decides, and what impact your wealth makes, you have to refresh your … [Read more...] about Divorce + Your Estate Plan in California: Close the Gaps, Protect Your Future, and Redirect Your Legacy (Including Smart Charitable Moves)
The Estate Plan That Wasn’t: Steve McNair’s Tragedy—and the Wake-Up Call for Every California Family
Estimated read time: 7–8 minutes You don’t plan for a headline. You plan so your family never becomes one. That’s the gut punch of former NFL quarterback Steve McNair’s story. When he was killed in 2009, there was no will. No trust. No roadmap. The result was a public, painful probate, heavy taxes, and family conflict that still makes people wince. You don’t need celebrity money to feel those consequences—any California family without a plan is one accident away from the same confusion. If … [Read more...] about The Estate Plan That Wasn’t: Steve McNair’s Tragedy—and the Wake-Up Call for Every California Family
How to Create a Legally Valid Will in California
(⏱️ 6-Minute Read) Creating a will in California isn’t just about filling out a form—it’s about making your wishes crystal clear and legally enforceable. Whether you have a modest estate or a sizable portfolio, if your will doesn’t follow state law, your family could face confusion, court battles, or worse—your intentions ignored. Here’s how to ensure your will stands up in court and protects your legacy. Who Can Create a Will in California? Under California Probate Code, you must: Be … [Read more...] about How to Create a Legally Valid Will in California
Protect Your Legacy During Black Business Month: Why Every Entrepreneur Needs an Estate Plan
⏱️ This will take you 6 minutes to read—and it could protect everything you've worked so hard to build. August is Black Business Month—a powerful reminder of the innovation, hustle, and resilience of Black entrepreneurs across California and the nation. But here’s the hard truth most business owners miss: ➡️ It’s not enough to build a business. You have to protect it. Without a smart estate plan, your company, your intellectual property, and your family’s future could be left … [Read more...] about Protect Your Legacy During Black Business Month: Why Every Entrepreneur Needs an Estate Plan
When You Love Them—But You Don’t Trust Them With the Money
This will take you 6 minutes to read—and could protect your legacy for generations. You want to leave something meaningful behind. But what if someone you care about isn’t good with money? Whether it’s a child, sibling, or even a spouse, you might worry that an inheritance could disappear quickly due to poor financial decisions. That concern is valid—and planning around it isn’t just smart, it’s mission critical. With the right estate planning strategies, you … [Read more...] about When You Love Them—But You Don’t Trust Them With the Money
New Parent, New Priorities: Why You Must Update Your Estate Plan
⏱️ This will take you 6 minutes to read—and could protect your child for a lifetime. Becoming a parent doesn’t just change your life—it reshapes your future. You now carry the ultimate responsibility: protecting a child who depends on you for everything. Love, safety, stability—and a legacy. If you haven’t updated your estate plan since becoming a parent, you’re risking more … [Read more...] about New Parent, New Priorities: Why You Must Update Your Estate Plan
Think You’re Not “Rich Enough” to Worry About Estate Taxes? Think Again.
⏱️ 6-Minute Read - If you own a home in California, you may already be a target—and the rules are changing fast. If your estate is worth around $3 million to $7 million, you might think you're safe from the estate tax conversation. You're not a billionaire. You don’t own a yacht. You’re not sipping champagne at a Palm Springs country club. But here’s the reality: If you own a home in California, you could be sitting on a ticking tax time bomb. And if you don’t make the right moves before the … [Read more...] about Think You’re Not “Rich Enough” to Worry About Estate Taxes? Think Again.
The Most Expensive Advice You’ll Ever Take Is Free: Why Bad Estate Planning Tips Are Destroying Families in California
⏱️ 6-Minute Read Social media, relatives, and random websites aren’t estate planning experts. Here’s how “free advice” is quietly costing families their homes, legacies, and peace. Everyone has a plan—until things fall apart.And when it comes to estate planning, bad advice doesn’t just hurt. It haunts. From TikTok tips to family whispers, it’s easy to fall into traps that look easy now but leave your loved ones buried in confusion and court costs later. In California, where real estate values … [Read more...] about The Most Expensive Advice You’ll Ever Take Is Free: Why Bad Estate Planning Tips Are Destroying Families in California
