by Daniel Scott, Forbes July 26, 2018 Link to Original Article Estate planning is dead. Gone are the days of creating legal structures to hold your assets, pass your fortune on to the next generation and, of course, avoid paying estate taxes. Gone are the days of planning for your death. It’s time to plan for…
Continue reading…Category: Estate Planning
What Is Probate?
At Phillips Ballenger, we believe that proper estate planning is essential in avoiding probate. Probate, a process regulated by statutory guidelines and applied through the courts, is triggered when an individual dies without a trust. This process, like other forms of litigation, can be long, arduous, and sadly, adversarial. This week, we give you an introduction…
Continue reading…Celebrity Estate Planning Mistakes – UPDATE: Aretha Franklin Did Not Have a Will!
Large and complex estates are not always adequately planned for. The most recent example of this is the unfortunate passing of famous vocalist, Aretha Franklin. At 76, the singer’s illustrious career is left, vulnerable to the effects of probate, because no will or trust document was left to allocate her assets (link). Unfortunately, her heirs…
Continue reading…CA Property Tax Breaks: Parent-to-Child Exclusion
PLEASE NOTE- THIS INFORMATION IS AGED- PLEASE REFERENCE UPDATES TO THE LAW NECESSITATED BY CA PROP 19, WHICH BECAME EFFECTIVE ON FEBRUARY 16, 2021, AND SEVERELY LIMITS THE PARENT / CHILD EXCLUSION. California property owners: your wish to transfer your real property interests to a loved one may be eligible for an exclusion! California real property,…
Continue reading…Back-to-School Checklist: A Reminder to Reassess your Financial Planning (Part 2)
For many families, this week marks the beginning of a new school year. This week, we continue with the academic theme, and give you Part 2 of the Back-to-School Checklist. In this final segment, we are discussing the importance of updating your trust documents and planning for the holidays. Update Your Trust Documents Established revocable…
Continue reading…Back-to-School Checklist: A Reminder to Reassess your Financial Planning (Part 1)
The ever-present rush of a new school year is upon us. For many families, this is the last week of summer. This is a great time to assess your current financial situation, long-term, and short-term goals. This week, we are discussing topics that are likely addressed at some point but may not be considered until…
Continue reading…Three Critical Legal Documents Every Parent of a College Student Should Get in Place As Soon As Possible
The National Law Review By Ben Leonard, Esq. As a soon-to-be college freshman many years ago, I was preoccupied with selecting roommates, finding bacteria-resistant shower shoes, and dreaming about the incredible freedom my 18-year-old adult self would have. Of course, it never occurred to me that it would have been prudent to have certain legal…
Continue reading…The Tough Stuff: Talking with Your Loved One About End-of-Life Arrangements
Guest Blog by Beverly Nelson, StandUpForCaregivers.org Create an Estate Plan Your loved one might already have an estate plan in place, but if it’s been some time since it was revisited or revised, encourage them to take a look to see if anything needs to be added or changed. Their will should designate who…
Continue reading…Celebrity Estate Planning Mistakes
Just like regular people, celebrities also fail to adequately plan for their estate. Estate planning is a vital tool that provides guidance in the event of a death. It is a common belief that because celebrities have much more wealth than the average person, protecting that wealth would be of the utmost importance. However, there…
Continue reading…I Do…But First Sign Here: Prenuptial Agreements, Postnuptial Agreements, Cohabitation agreements
Deciding whether to sign an agreement as it pertains to your relationship can be difficult. Generally, this is not a one-size fits all type of decision, and the necessity is different for every couple. Pre, Post and Cohabitation agreements are very useful for business owners, blended families, individuals with complex financial arrangements, etc. Regardless of…
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