What Physical Evidence Should I Look For As A Potential Sign Of Abuse? When looking for signs of potential abuse, it's important to consider both specific physical evidence and general behavioral indicators. Remember to approach the situation with sensitivity and care. Seek professional help if you suspect abuse. Specific Physical Signs Unexplained Bruises, Burns, Or Scars Look for injuries in unusual places or visible patterns that might suggest objects or restraints have been used. Recurring injuries or injuries in various stages of healing can indicate ongoing abuse. Scratches Or Cuts Unexplained scratches or cuts, particularly in areas that are not easily self-inflicted, should be suspicious. Bedsores (Pressure Ulcers) These are typically found on the heels, hips, lower back, and other areas that bear weight while…Read More
After Death In light of a loved one dying, the last thing you want to be consumed with is managing matters related to their estate. The unfortunate reality is that there is no way around this. These things simply must be handled. There are many moving parts to the trust administration process in California, so it’s vital you prepare yourself accordingly. We aim to nudge you in the right direction. Notification Of Death Usually, the first step of administering an estate in California is notifying individuals, companies, and agencies that your loved one has passed. This can be challenging because people use so many services and receive benefits such that it can be easy for some to slip between the cracks, but do your best…Read More
Common Misunderstandings Surrounding Probate Probate is very often a complex process. This contributes to people having the many misconceptions that we have encountered over the years. We’d like to tackle them right out of the gate in this chapter. Having a clear and accurate understanding of the probate process in California is necessary if you are ever in a position where you need to face it. The Government Is Going To Take Everything I Own One prevalent misconception is that the government will seize any and all assets you or a loved one has in the probate process. In reality, the government does not automatically take everything. Rather, the government is typically primarily concerned with Medi-Cal recovery, creditor claims, and potential disputes among family members…Read More
It’s absolutely critical you thoroughly think through the tax implications of an estate plan in California before you construct one. This is an especially complex area, with the loved ones you leave behind facing somewhat severe consequences with any misstep you may make. Yet, at the same time, being successful brings with it a considerable upside, and they’ll be grateful to you for having taken care of it all for them. Reducing And Avoiding Taxes Many people, for whatever reason, have this idea in their mind that the government — both federal and state — is drooling at the mouth, waiting to pounce on all of your money via something like a death tax or probate. This isn’t the case. Federal estate taxes only apply…Read More
As part of exploring the basics of estate planning in California, you’ll need to get a fundamental level of understanding on several things. Among them is an overall knowledge of key documents that make up a healthy estate planning portfolio. Bear in mind that as crucial as these documents may be, they are not necessarily the be all and end all – especially if you have a particularly unique situation. Realize they serve as the foundation that undergirds a solid portfolio. Wills In basic terms, a will is a written document that outlines your intent and desire for how you would like to disburse your estate and other assets. These documents designate the executor of your estate, specify particular gifts you wish to make, and…Read More
Estate planning is a personalized process that greatly depends on your specific circumstances. However, there are some general goals that apply to everyone. In this chapter, we'll discuss them and touch on other things that generally apply to everyone who engages in estate planning, regardless of their specific circumstances. Honing In On The Ultimate Goal Of Proper Estate Planning The ultimate goal of proper estate planning is generally to facilitate a seamless transition of assets to your beneficiaries while minimizing potential complications, taxes, and legal challenges. How you make this happen will depend on your specific situation. What are your goals? What are your concerns? Looking Out For Your Children For people with young children, their primary goal will likely be ensuring their children’s financial…Read More
Common Misconceptions In Estate Planning Estate planning is wrought with misinformation and misconceptions. Over our time working in this area of the law, we’ve observed some common themes. Steer clear of falling into the trap of believing them — it won’t do you any good! A Will Alone Is Sufficient The extent of many people’s understanding of estate planning in California is something along the lines of, As long as I have a will in place, I will be fine. Yet, generally speaking, only having a will is not sufficient to protect and guide your assets as you truly want them to be. This is especially true if you have property. The current probate limit in California is $184,500. This means that if the gross…Read More
