When Anna Harp lost her father, Rudolph Clausing, she didn’t get to say goodbye. It was January 2021, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her dad had been battling lung disease when he contracted the virus, and strict hospital protocols meant his family couldn’t be by his side in his final days. Anna was just 27. Her father was…[...]

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When planning for your death, there’s one issue you may not have thought about, but is so important to your beneficiaries: will your loved ones have to pay taxes on what you leave them? The answer isn't straightforward because it depends largely on the types of assets you're passing down, how much you are passing on, and where you reside…[...]

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Most California business owners have a plan, at least in their heads. The problem is that a plan in your head doesn't hold up in probate court, doesn't transfer shares to the right person, and doesn't keep the business running when you're incapacitated. Succession planning isn't a single document. It's a system, and it has to be built before you…[...]

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Beyond the practical purpose of transferring assets and reducing taxes, an estate plan reflects love, responsibility, and values. That emotional heaviness may be part of why many families avoid the subject. Pew Research reports that only about 3 in 10 US adults have created a basic estate plan (a will and a living will or advance directive), and most do…[...]

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Personal items accumulated over our lifetimes may be left in estate planning limbo when we pass away. You may have kept many personal effects and everyday items more for sentimental reasons than for financial value, such as your clothing, jewelry, books, quilts, collectibles, and religious items. Each item we leave behind tells part of the story of who we were…[...]

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Most California business owners are experts at building their businesses. Very few are experts at protecting them. Succession planning remains one of the most overlooked areas of estate planning — and the consequences of ignoring it can be devastating for families, employees, and the businesses themselves. Why Business Owners Avoid Succession Planning The most successful entrepreneurs tend to be the…[...]

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The title of trustee implies that this position should be held by someone you find trustworthy, and for good reason. Serving as a trustee of a trust carries significant responsibility and duty not just to you as the trust’s creator but also to the beneficiaries who depend on accurate, faithful administration. While being named a trustee reflects a high level…[...]

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Key Takeaways Probate is triggered in California at $184,500 in fair market value — meaning almost every homeowner is at risk, regardless of income level. A will alone does NOT avoid probate. A properly drafted and fully funded revocable living trust is the most reliable strategy. Beneficiary designations (POD/TOD) are powerful tools but carry serious risks if outdated, used for…[...]

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