As an attorney in Northern California, near Silicon Valley, I realize there are many people who may want to pay with Bitcoins as it’s a very tech savvy type of currency. Maybe that’s estate planning or probate work!?  Additionally, I have represented clients from around the world who have probate legal issues in California; Bitcoins […]

The “A/B” trust is a very common set-up for married couples in the estate planning world.  I should say there are different names for these trusts. I call it an A/B Trust. Others may be call it a Bypass trust, a credit trust or even a 1/2 trust. Whatever you call it a split trust […]

I met with a client this week who proudly showed me her old will. It was a fine legal document. It left her assets to her husband and then her kids. It set up a guardian for the kids. It named an executor. It was a fine will. As she pointed out there was a […]

For the last few years there have been different options to try and avoid the line at airport security checkpoints. The latest, run by the federal government, seems to have the best chance of success. It’s the TSA Precheck. You can sign up online at this link. No it’s not directly related to estate planning […]

It appears another celeb has died without a proper estate plan in place. He made a ton of money on the Fast and Furious movies and apparently led his life fast and furious! Here’s a link to a good article about this sad situation.

If you are making new year’s resolutions for 2014 does it include any of the following: 1) Get a living trust; or 2) Update our current estate plan; or 3) Add a life insurance trust (ILIT); or 4) Look into a qualified personal residence trust (QPRT); or 5) Have a qualified estate planning attorney review […]

I pride myself on rarely having to seek continuances in probate court. That is, I try to be prepared and take care of my business BEFORE the court date so as to avoid continuances. Historically continuances, in Sacramento county, have been 4 weeks out.  I am speaking of the Sacramento probate court when I say […]

UPDATED 2/21/18 A prospective client asked me this question the other day and I said I didn’t know the answer off hand. Sort of funny that I didn’t know as I have been doing this since 1994. That is, I have focused my law practice on estate planning, trust and probate law for all these […]

The holidays are upon us.  Many of us will sit down for a feast, with family, next week. We will talk about what we are thankful for.  Then may Hanukkah or Christmas are celebrated in your house. Again a time to be thankful.  Then the new year is here! 2014 is just around the corner. […]

The IRS has released their inflation adjusted numbers for 2014. The estate tax exclusion has gone up to $5.34m for 2014.  The annual gift exclusion remains at $14,000. Below is the text straight from the IRS website: 2014 Inflation Adjustments IR-2013-87, Oct. 31, 2013 WASHINGTON — For tax year 2014, the Internal Revenue Service announced […]