Posted by Eric E. Davidson | Mar 30, 2021 | 0 Comments
When buying a first house, you’re probably dreaming of the day when they hand over the keys and the title—that little piece of paper that says you are now the very proud owner of your home. But there’s more to it than just a statement verifying that you own the property. The title also explains how you own it. To better understand that, let’s start with a brief overview of some common forms of title.
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Posted by Eric E. Davidson | Feb 11, 2021 | 0 Comments
The COVID-19 pandemic has taken an emotional and, in some cases, physical toll on all of us. Since the novel coronavirus first appeared in California in January of 2020, California has had more than 3.3 million cases and almost 45,000 deaths. With schools and businesses shut down and shelter in place orders in effect, it’s hard not to be anxious about what might happen to you and your family if you get sick.
One of the best ways to deal with anxiety about the future is to plan for it. While none of us can control the pandemic, we can all take charge of our health and financial plans. If you set up the basics of your estate plan, you can ensure that your family will be cared for and that your healthcare and end of life wishes are in place.
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Posted by Eric E. Davidson | Dec 21, 2020 | 0 Comments
The Basics:
Proposition 19 changes the rules for property tax assessment transfers and could affect your estate planning. While the law also gives tax breaks to older property owners and provides relief for wildfire victims, the most sweeping changes will affect property taxes for those inheritin...
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Posted by Eric E. Davidson | Nov 24, 2020 | 0 Comments
Given the challenges of COVID, you may have decided to skip celebrating the holidays with family. As much as you will miss seeing everyone, there may be a twinge of relief if you'll be spared conversations about politics or other fraught topics during dinner. Even if that's not the case, we know ...
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Posted by Eric E. Davidson | Nov 12, 2020 | 0 Comments
For many people, 2020 has been a year of triage. Adapting to the coronavirus pandemic and all that it has meant – including illness, job loss, transitioning to remote work, and homeschooling children—has made planning for the future seem like a luxury. When you're barely surviving, who has time t...
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Posted by Eric E. Davidson | Sep 28, 2020 | 0 Comments
For young families who are barely meeting their expenses, estate planning can seem unnecessary. Why, they wonder, should they make plans for their estate when it doesn't seem like they have much anyway? And no parent wants to think about not being around to look out for their children.
But these...
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Posted by Eric E. Davidson | Aug 12, 2020 | 0 Comments
Nobody likes to think about estate planning, especially when you're in your 20s and 30s. Life is busy and the odds are in your favor that you won't really need an estate plan for decades to come. We get it. But there's more to estate planning than a stern discussion of wills and trusts in a mahog...
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Posted by Eric E. Davidson | May 26, 2020 | 0 Comments
The novel coronavirus is raging across the world. As people shelter in place and isolate, many are wondering, “Do I need to review my estate plan?” Yes, now is the perfect time to review your estate plan and make any necessary changes.
An experienced estate attorney in Oakland, CA can help you re...
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Posted by Eric E. Davidson | May 01, 2020 | 0 Comments
The novel coronavirus is raging across the world. As people shelter in place and isolate, many are wondering, “Do I need to review my estate plan?” Yes, now is the perfect time to review your estate plan and make any necessary changes.
An experienced estate attorney in Oakland, CA can help you re...
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Posted by Eric E. Davidson | Mar 30, 2020 | 0 Comments
Do I need a lawyer for probate? This is a question you may ask yourself when going through estate issues. Probate is a court process that is often lengthy and complex. During this time, families should turn to a lawyer to help them handle problems that may arise. But how do you know if yo...
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Posted by Eric E. Davidson | Feb 17, 2020 | 0 Comments
The SECURE Act is a
bipartisan piece of legislation
that went into effect on January 1, 2020. It is the first major piece of legislation passed concerning retirement since 2006. As such, it has important
estate planning
implications. Contact our estate planning lawyers in California to find ou...
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Posted by Eric E. Davidson | Jan 14, 2020 | 0 Comments
One of the most commonly held misconceptions is that “anyone can write their own will.” While do-it-yourself (DIY) will packages are available online, many people make serious mistakes when attempting to create their own estate planning documents. For example, you may structure your assets in a w...
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Posted by Eric E. Davidson | Dec 20, 2019 | 0 Comments
Many people believe that only the rich need an estate plan. This is not the case. Even if you do not have many assets, you still have an estate. As such, it is important to plan for what happens to that estate once you are gone.
No one likes thinking about their own death. Yet, having a solid es...
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Posted by Eric E. Davidson | Nov 25, 2019 | 0 Comments
Most people believe that simply drafting a will is enough to protect their estate and their loved ones when they are gone. Yet, a solid estate plan involves more than just drafting a Last Will and Testament. One of the most overlooked and often misunderstood components of an estate plan is a revo...
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Posted by Eric E. Davidson | Oct 15, 2019 | 0 Comments
One of the most important decisions you can make in life is what will happen to your estate and your loved ones after you are gone. Many people think a will is enough to protect their loved ones from probate, but a living trust has major advantages.
To learn which estate planning document is best...
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Posted by Eric E. Davidson | Sep 25, 2019 | 0 Comments
Probate is a process carried out after the death of a loved one to distribute his or her estate to family members. Without a will or a trust, the California probate court will appoint an administrator to oversee the probate process for the deceased's estate.Probate law provides a priority list fo...
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Posted by Eric E. Davidson | Sep 06, 2019 | 0 Comments
Contact Our Berkeley Estate Attorneys to Learn More
California lawmakers passed Assembly Bill 139 (AB 139) in September 2015. Prior to the passage of this law, which went into effect on January 1, 2016, certain homeowners had a more difficult time ensuring their homes would not go through probate...
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Posted by Eric E. Davidson | Jul 29, 2019 | 0 Comments
Probate is a type of court proceeding that can be confusing, expensive and very time-consuming for beneficiaries. After your passing, if you do not have a solid estate plan in place and your assets exceed $166,250, the probate court may decide who will receive your assets. The decisions made by t...
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Posted by Eric E. Davidson | Jun 26, 2019 | 0 Comments
Upon your death or the death of a loved one, certain assets may need to
pass through probate, depending on the circumstances. While there are tools that can
help you avoid probate, such as a living trust, it is also important to understand that not all estates are required to go through probate...
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Posted by Eric E. Davidson | May 14, 2019 | 0 Comments
It's very important to have an estate plan created and professionally implemented as soon as you can. However, updating your estate plan has been found to be equally as important. If you already have an estate plan, you should understand that your work isn't finished. Your estate plan should be e...
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