IS YOUR LIVING TRUST VALID?

Just because you prepared a living trust to keep your loved ones out of probate court, doesn’t guarantee they will stay out of court.
Remember that even though you have the right to distribute your assets anyway you choose, gifting your assets unevenly or disinheriting a family member could invite a legal contest, unless you take extra precaution to stamp out any potential fires before they start.
Your living trust (or will) can be questioned not only by angry family members but also by those who legitimately question the circumstances surrounding the creation and signing of your documents.
Although property is easily transferred […]

By |Death & Property, Estate Planning, Living Trusts|
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Transferring Real Estate – A Simple Deed or a Costly Mistake?

There are so many reasons to get professional tax advice before adding someone to a deed or transferring real property outright. There can be serious and costly consequences. Yet so many people just won’t take the time to seek the information or get the advice. When someone comes in to our office to have a deed prepared, we’d like to be sure that they know what they’re doing. Because we prepare legal documents under our client’s specific direction and are not tax professionals, we can’t counsel on these matters, except to encourage them to get advice on legal and financial […]

By |Deeds, Estate Planning, Property Transfers, Wills|
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Things to Note if You Need a Living Trust

The following article published by the Federal Trade Commission says that generally an attorney is required to be used for the preparation of your living trust. Fortunately because California is consumer friendly, an attorney DOES NOT have to be used to prepare Living Trusts in California. California legitimized the legal document preparation profession over 0 years ago with SB1418. A legal document assistant must be bonded and registered with the county clerk to prepare legal documents for the consumer. However consumers still need to make sure they are informed and with all the excellent resources and information on the internet, […]

By |Death & Property, Estate Planning, Living Trusts, Probate, Property Transfers|
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How to Leave a Mess for Your Loved Ones – A humorous look at a serious subject.

Do Nothing. Take no responsibility or time to plan, or prepare any documents. Allow your family to wonder who should get your possessions. Then let them wonder why your new spouse got the family home, and why they got nothing.

Don’t find out what the difference between a will and a living trust is. Then you won’t know that a simple will can lead to a  very expensive court proceeding. You won’t know why experts say that if you own real estate, you should prepare a living trust.

Put your kid’s name on your deed. Don’t ask your tax professional about the […]

By |Death & Property, Estate Planning, Wills|
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