Creating an estate plan is a responsible step to take as you get older. However, many people don’t realize there’s more to just your estate plan than your will and trusts. An important part of estate planning is creating an advanced health care directive. The form is...
Year: 2022
Helping your child feel they belong in their new home
As a divorcing parent, you’re concerned about how your child will adjust to you and your co-parent living apart and to moving between two homes. You may assume you know what’s most important to your child, but have you asked them? Not long ago, the New York Times did...
Why you need to check insurance beneficiaries when updating a will
Your will and other estate planning documents determine what happens to your property after your death. It is a smart idea to frequently review and update your estate plan. As your family changes and your financial circumstances evolve, your wishes will change as...
2 signs you need to update your will
Do you have a valid will in place? Congratulations! You are well ahead of the game. A will is, perhaps, one of the most important legal documents you can ever sign while alive. So how long ago did you draft your will? Does it still reflect your wishes? Will creation...
Is your spouse hiding assets in a divorce?
Having a clear understanding of the property you own as a married couple is crucial to achieving a fair outcome when you divorce. Some spouses, however, are reluctant to share. If you agreed to let your spouse keep separate specific assets through a pre-marital...
Can your ex leave California with the kids?
You and your ex got divorced a year ago, and you share custody. They live with your ex most of the time, but they come to your house every other weekend. You also see them for visitations during the week, and you take summer trips together. In other words, you are...
Do you need to prove fault in a California divorce?
Some people feel very uncomfortable with the thought of going to court and seeking the end of their marriage. They may worry that others will blame them if they file for divorce or that their spouse will fight and they will wind up trapped in a marriage after trying...
What are the witness requirements of a California will?
A will is often the most important document in an estate plan. Someone's will may give instructions about what to do with someone's property and how to care for their children after their death. In lieu of a trust, a will may be the primary way to pass property to the...
When your ex won’t let you see the kids despite a custody order
Couples with children may break up or divorce. At the end of their relationship, they will need to create a parenting plan or custody order that divides their responsibilities to the children. Your parenting plan may give you a specific percentage of time with them or...
Community vs. separate property in a California divorce
Divorcing can be emotional and messy. Along with having to deal with the emotional and mental toll a divorce can take, you have to divide the life you once shared. While this can be difficult, knowing your rights and what you have the rights to is important. One of...
