Blog

April 15, 2022

A HIPAA release authorization gives others access to your protected health information, medical documents, and bills. As part of your estate planning, you should complete an authorization for the release of protected health information to a family member or to a trusted friend or associate.

March 4, 2022

When people hear the word “estate,” they often imagine homes behind guarded gates and luxury automobiles traveling the state’s highways and byways, and they conclude that the term “estate planning” applies only to those fortunate few.

Feb. 16, 2022

Drafting a detailed estate plan can help prevent possible issues and disputes when settling your final affairs or distributing assets to inheritors after your death. Whether you have a small or large estate, creating an estate plan allows you to plan adequately for life's uncertainties, protect your assets, finances, and investments, help your family members save time and money, and eliminate some stress when you're gone.

Jan. 23, 2022

Settling a decedent’s final affairs and distributing assets without a detailed estate plan can present different challenges. Whether you have a small or large estate or a concise end-of-life care plan, having a properly drafted estate planning document is essential to protect your assets, property, finances, investments, surviving loved ones, and prepare for an uncertain future.

Oct. 24, 2021

Everyone needs an estate plan to protect their property and their loved ones. Contrary to popular belief, you can benefit from having an estate plan even if you do not have significant assets. In fact, individuals should start thinking about crafting an estate plan at an early age.

March 30, 2021

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.

Feb. 11, 2021

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.

Dec. 21, 2020

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 inheriting property from their parents.

Nov. 24, 2020

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.

Nov. 12, 2020

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.