San Jose Law Blog
Have you protected your companion animals in your estate plan?
Pets or companion animals don't have very many rights under the law. In the eyes of the courts, they are mostly just possessions with a financial value. If you don't take steps now to protect your beloved pets or companion animals in the event of your death, your...
Minimizing the risks to the executor of your estate
Quite naturally, you want someone that you trust to serve as the executor of your estate -- but being an executor is a big job. It also comes with a number of hazards that your executor may have to face. Many of these risks, however, can be mitigated with a little...
A fully illuminated plan is better than a few broad strokes
Deciding on what will happen to your estate after you pass can be difficult, but it’s important to remember that you’re probably the most qualified to make the decisions. Your family may have some idea of what’s at stake, but it’s not likely the know the whole...
How a charitable remainder trust helps avoid taxes
When designing an estate plan, individuals may explore placing assets into trusts. Trusts tuck high-value assets or property away into an account for designated future use. One popular type of trust is the charitable remainder trust (CRT). CRTs offer families a...
What are some digital assets to include in an estate plan?
You likely understand that you should include your online assets in your estate plan. One possible problem is that you might neglect one or more of your digital assets while planning for your estate. It is natural to think some of your digital accounts are not worth...
Does your executor need to be a family member?
As a resident of California, you work hard on your estate. You build up assets throughout your life. You want to ensure that it gets passed on properly to your family and loved ones. To ensure this, you need a good estate executor. But what makes an executor good?...
Who should use a spendthrift trust?
Planning how to give your children an inheritance is not always easy. Even if your will successfully conveys money or property to your loved ones, they could still lose their inheritance because of events out of their control or even through their own poor judgment....
How does gifting assets help with estate planning?
An important part of estate planning involves assessing the tax burden your estate will incur after you pass. If you have a large estate, this is particularly important. Any estate with over $11.58 million in assets is subject to a 40% federal estate tax. Fortunately,...
Estate planning considerations when you own land in California
When your assets include significant acreage, careful estate planning can help preserve your land holdings for the next generation. Establishing the right arrangement for your land can limit the tax burden for your heirs and ensure they carry out your wishes. Take...
Making your digital life part of your estate plan
In an increasingly digital world, it becomes important to consider what becomes of an individual’s online footprint. Who will shut down their online profiles and should they? What about online blogs or drop-ship stores? When creating an estate plan, these are some of...
