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Advance Health Care Directive - Click here to view all posts

The latest posts for Advance Health Care Directive are listed below.

Thinking About Organ Donation?
Have you considered being an organ donor? You can share that you’re an organ donor on your Facebook timeline. Here's how: At your Facebook profile, click Life Event at the top of your ...
Making End-of-life medical decisions in California
Every good estate plan includes some type of medical Power of Attorney or Advance Directive. This document appoints a "health care agent" to make medical decisions for you if you become ...

California - Click here to view all posts

The latest posts for California are listed below.

When a CA senior with a joint bank account dies, do the funds belong to the decedent's estate or the co-signer?
California courts have long grappled with this issue -- when a California senior dies with joint bank account, who does the money belong to? Is it the decedent's estate, or the surviving joint ...
Can my Will leave a gift to someone on the condition that he or she get divorced?
In California, probably not. It's fairly common for a person to want to leave an inheritance to someone, "but not if he or she is still married to that monster." A gift conditioned on ...
California Supreme Court determines No-Contest Clause Unenforceable
In its most recent ruling about wills and trusts, the California Supreme Court in Donkin v. Donkin (December 26, 2013) ruled that a challenge to a Trust does not trigger the Trust's ...

California Supreme Court - Click here to view all posts

The latest posts for California Supreme Court are listed below.

Can my Will leave a gift to someone on the condition that he or she get divorced?
In California, probably not. It's fairly common for a person to want to leave an inheritance to someone, "but not if he or she is still married to that monster." A gift conditioned on ...
California Supreme Court determines No-Contest Clause Unenforceable
In its most recent ruling about wills and trusts, the California Supreme Court in Donkin v. Donkin (December 26, 2013) ruled that a challenge to a Trust does not trigger the Trust's ...

CryptoCurrency - Click here to view all posts

The latest posts for CryptoCurrency are listed below.

Does This $190 Million Cryptocurrency Mistake Make You Cringe?
This common #EstatePlanningMistake is another example of why we encourage our clients to make their passwords accessible (digitally, or on real paper) to the Executor of their Will, or the Trustee of ...

decedent - Click here to view all posts

The latest posts for decedent are listed below.

Did Aretha Franklin Die Without a Will?
Yes. According to court records filed this week by her family, the Queen of Soul joins the long list of celebrities (think of Prince, Sonny Bono, Jimi Hendrix) with no written Will or estate plan. ...
When a CA senior with a joint bank account dies, do the funds belong to the decedent's estate or the co-signer?
California courts have long grappled with this issue -- when a California senior dies with joint bank account, who does the money belong to? Is it the decedent's estate, or the surviving joint ...
Can my Will leave a gift to someone on the condition that he or she get divorced?
In California, probably not. It's fairly common for a person to want to leave an inheritance to someone, "but not if he or she is still married to that monster." A gift conditioned on ...

Divorce - Click here to view all posts

The latest posts for Divorce are listed below.

I am getting divorced. Can I set up a Trust for my kids without my spouse's knowledge?
Short answer : No. Long answer : You may create an unfunded Trust for your kids at any time, with or without your spouse's knowledge. Note the word " unfunded ". When a CA resident files ...

Estate Planning - Click here to view all posts

The latest posts for Estate Planning are listed below.

Does This $190 Million Cryptocurrency Mistake Make You Cringe?
This common #EstatePlanningMistake is another example of why we encourage our clients to make their passwords accessible (digitally, or on real paper) to the Executor of their Will, or the Trustee of ...
Did Aretha Franklin Die Without a Will?
Yes. According to court records filed this week by her family, the Queen of Soul joins the long list of celebrities (think of Prince, Sonny Bono, Jimi Hendrix) with no written Will or estate plan. ...
When a CA senior with a joint bank account dies, do the funds belong to the decedent's estate or the co-signer?
California courts have long grappled with this issue -- when a California senior dies with joint bank account, who does the money belong to? Is it the decedent's estate, or the surviving joint ...

Estate Tax - Click here to view all posts

The latest posts for Estate Tax are listed below.

How can I obtain a Federal Tax ID Number (TIN or EIN) for a Trust?
Applying for a federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Tax Identification Number (TIN) is a free service offered by the Internal Revenue Service. Beware of websites that charge for this free ...
Will the IRS give me an extension of time to file my portability election?
The short answer? Yes (for some estates without a filing requirement). The slightly longer answer? The IRS recently issued Revenue Procedure 2014-18 which: "...provides a simplified method for ...
What are the inflation-adjusted 2014 estate and gift tax exclusion amounts?
The IRS recently published Rev. Proc. 2013-35, which sets the inflation-adjusted exclusion amounts for 2014, for estate taxes and gift taxes. Estate Tax Exclusion Amount : For an estate of any ...

General - Click here to view all posts

The latest posts for General are listed below.

We're Moving
Dear Clients and Friends, Effective today, Tuesday, December 17, 2013, we've officially moved offices to our new location at The Ridge in Agoura Hills: Stephens Law Group 30200 Agoura Road, Suite ...
Where can I get a free copy of "Seniors and the Law"?
Another good question from many of our California clients; and here's the answer: http://www.calbar.ca.gov/Public/Pamphlets/Seniors.aspx Seniors & the Law — A Guide for Maturing ...
Welcome to our Westlake Village Estate Planning Blog
We are pleased to announce the launch of our new website and blog!

Heirs - Click here to view all posts

The latest posts for Heirs are listed below.

Does This $190 Million Cryptocurrency Mistake Make You Cringe?
This common #EstatePlanningMistake is another example of why we encourage our clients to make their passwords accessible (digitally, or on real paper) to the Executor of their Will, or the Trustee of ...
When a CA senior with a joint bank account dies, do the funds belong to the decedent's estate or the co-signer?
California courts have long grappled with this issue -- when a California senior dies with joint bank account, who does the money belong to? Is it the decedent's estate, or the surviving joint ...
Can my Will leave a gift to someone on the condition that he or she get divorced?
In California, probably not. It's fairly common for a person to want to leave an inheritance to someone, "but not if he or she is still married to that monster." A gift conditioned on ...

In Terrorem - Click here to view all posts

The latest posts for In Terrorem are listed below.

California Supreme Court determines No-Contest Clause Unenforceable
In its most recent ruling about wills and trusts, the California Supreme Court in Donkin v. Donkin (December 26, 2013) ruled that a challenge to a Trust does not trigger the Trust's ...

Inheritance - Click here to view all posts

The latest posts for Inheritance are listed below.

When a CA senior with a joint bank account dies, do the funds belong to the decedent's estate or the co-signer?
California courts have long grappled with this issue -- when a California senior dies with joint bank account, who does the money belong to? Is it the decedent's estate, or the surviving joint ...
Can my Will leave a gift to someone on the condition that he or she get divorced?
In California, probably not. It's fairly common for a person to want to leave an inheritance to someone, "but not if he or she is still married to that monster." A gift conditioned on ...
Did Mickey Rooney's widow really contest her late husband's Will?
Yes. According to her attorney, Mickey Rooney's widow just filed a contest of her late husband's Will, in the probate department of the Los Angeles Superior Court. The complete story can be ...

IRS - Click here to view all posts

The latest posts for IRS are listed below.

How can I obtain a Federal Tax ID Number (TIN or EIN) for a Trust?
Applying for a federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Tax Identification Number (TIN) is a free service offered by the Internal Revenue Service. Beware of websites that charge for this free ...
Will the IRS give me an extension of time to file my portability election?
The short answer? Yes (for some estates without a filing requirement). The slightly longer answer? The IRS recently issued Revenue Procedure 2014-18 which: "...provides a simplified method for ...
What are the inflation-adjusted 2014 estate and gift tax exclusion amounts?
The IRS recently published Rev. Proc. 2013-35, which sets the inflation-adjusted exclusion amounts for 2014, for estate taxes and gift taxes. Estate Tax Exclusion Amount : For an estate of any ...

joint tenancy - Click here to view all posts

The latest posts for joint tenancy are listed below.

When a CA senior with a joint bank account dies, do the funds belong to the decedent's estate or the co-signer?
California courts have long grappled with this issue -- when a California senior dies with joint bank account, who does the money belong to? Is it the decedent's estate, or the surviving joint ...
Can the County reassess my property taxes like that?
Can the County Assessor reassess our property taxes, if all we did is change a joint tenancy to a tenancy-in-common? The short answer? Yes (according to at least one California court). The ...

law - Click here to view all posts

The latest posts for law are listed below.

I am getting divorced. Can I set up a Trust for my kids without my spouse's knowledge?
Short answer : No. Long answer : You may create an unfunded Trust for your kids at any time, with or without your spouse's knowledge. Note the word " unfunded ". When a CA resident files ...
When a CA senior with a joint bank account dies, do the funds belong to the decedent's estate or the co-signer?
California courts have long grappled with this issue -- when a California senior dies with joint bank account, who does the money belong to? Is it the decedent's estate, or the surviving joint ...
Can my Will leave a gift to someone on the condition that he or she get divorced?
In California, probably not. It's fairly common for a person to want to leave an inheritance to someone, "but not if he or she is still married to that monster." A gift conditioned on ...

Living Will - Click here to view all posts

The latest posts for Living Will are listed below.

Thinking About Organ Donation?
Have you considered being an organ donor? You can share that you’re an organ donor on your Facebook timeline. Here's how: At your Facebook profile, click Life Event at the top of your ...
Making End-of-life medical decisions in California
Every good estate plan includes some type of medical Power of Attorney or Advance Directive. This document appoints a "health care agent" to make medical decisions for you if you become ...

Organ Donor - Click here to view all posts

The latest posts for Organ Donor are listed below.

Thinking About Organ Donation?
Have you considered being an organ donor? You can share that you’re an organ donor on your Facebook timeline. Here's how: At your Facebook profile, click Life Event at the top of your ...

Probate - Click here to view all posts

The latest posts for Probate are listed below.

Did Aretha Franklin Die Without a Will?
Yes. According to court records filed this week by her family, the Queen of Soul joins the long list of celebrities (think of Prince, Sonny Bono, Jimi Hendrix) with no written Will or estate plan. ...
Did Mickey Rooney's widow really contest her late husband's Will?
Yes. According to her attorney, Mickey Rooney's widow just filed a contest of her late husband's Will, in the probate department of the Los Angeles Superior Court. The complete story can be ...
May I lodge my original Will with the Court for safekeeping?
No. Only a decedent's Will may be lodged with the Superior Court ( California Probate Code §8200 ). If you're still alive, the court will reject the document for filing. You're better ...

Probate Court - Click here to view all posts

The latest posts for Probate Court are listed below.

Did Aretha Franklin Die Without a Will?
Yes. According to court records filed this week by her family, the Queen of Soul joins the long list of celebrities (think of Prince, Sonny Bono, Jimi Hendrix) with no written Will or estate plan. ...

property tax - Click here to view all posts

The latest posts for property tax are listed below.

What does it mean to "fund" a Trust?
When attorneys talk about "funding a Trust", they're talking about the process of transfering assets to the Trust. A Trust (sometimes called a Family Trust, Living Trust, or Revocable ...
Can the County reassess my property taxes like that?
Can the County Assessor reassess our property taxes, if all we did is change a joint tenancy to a tenancy-in-common? The short answer? Yes (according to at least one California court). The ...

seniors - Click here to view all posts

The latest posts for seniors are listed below.

Where can I get a free copy of "Seniors and the Law"?
Another good question from many of our California clients; and here's the answer: http://www.calbar.ca.gov/Public/Pamphlets/Seniors.aspx Seniors & the Law — A Guide for Maturing ...

Superior Court - Click here to view all posts

The latest posts for Superior Court are listed below.

Did Mickey Rooney's widow really contest her late husband's Will?
Yes. According to her attorney, Mickey Rooney's widow just filed a contest of her late husband's Will, in the probate department of the Los Angeles Superior Court. The complete story can be ...

Tax - Click here to view all posts

The latest posts for Tax are listed below.

How can I obtain a Federal Tax ID Number (TIN or EIN) for a Trust?
Applying for a federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Tax Identification Number (TIN) is a free service offered by the Internal Revenue Service. Beware of websites that charge for this free ...
Will the IRS give me an extension of time to file my portability election?
The short answer? Yes (for some estates without a filing requirement). The slightly longer answer? The IRS recently issued Revenue Procedure 2014-18 which: "...provides a simplified method for ...
What are the inflation-adjusted 2014 estate and gift tax exclusion amounts?
The IRS recently published Rev. Proc. 2013-35, which sets the inflation-adjusted exclusion amounts for 2014, for estate taxes and gift taxes. Estate Tax Exclusion Amount : For an estate of any ...

Trust - Click here to view all posts

The latest posts for Trust are listed below.

I am getting divorced. Can I set up a Trust for my kids without my spouse's knowledge?
Short answer : No. Long answer : You may create an unfunded Trust for your kids at any time, with or without your spouse's knowledge. Note the word " unfunded ". When a CA resident files ...
Does This $190 Million Cryptocurrency Mistake Make You Cringe?
This common #EstatePlanningMistake is another example of why we encourage our clients to make their passwords accessible (digitally, or on real paper) to the Executor of their Will, or the Trustee of ...
Did Aretha Franklin Die Without a Will?
Yes. According to court records filed this week by her family, the Queen of Soul joins the long list of celebrities (think of Prince, Sonny Bono, Jimi Hendrix) with no written Will or estate plan. ...

Trust funding - Click here to view all posts

The latest posts for Trust funding are listed below.

I am getting divorced. Can I set up a Trust for my kids without my spouse's knowledge?
Short answer : No. Long answer : You may create an unfunded Trust for your kids at any time, with or without your spouse's knowledge. Note the word " unfunded ". When a CA resident files ...
When a CA senior with a joint bank account dies, do the funds belong to the decedent's estate or the co-signer?
California courts have long grappled with this issue -- when a California senior dies with joint bank account, who does the money belong to? Is it the decedent's estate, or the surviving joint ...
Do I have to give a copy of my Trust to the bank?
Your Trust is a private document. It usually contains confidential information about you, your family, and even the people you're disinheriting. You probably don't want the bank knowing who ...

unclaimed property - Click here to view all posts

The latest posts for unclaimed property are listed below.

Eureka! California's Unclaimed Property Law
Are you looking for lost money? Believe it or not, you could be one of millions of Californians who is owed money by the State. The California State Controller's Office acquires hundreds of ...

Wills & Trusts - Click here to view all posts

The latest posts for Wills & Trusts are listed below.

I am getting divorced. Can I set up a Trust for my kids without my spouse's knowledge?
Short answer : No. Long answer : You may create an unfunded Trust for your kids at any time, with or without your spouse's knowledge. Note the word " unfunded ". When a CA resident files ...
Does This $190 Million Cryptocurrency Mistake Make You Cringe?
This common #EstatePlanningMistake is another example of why we encourage our clients to make their passwords accessible (digitally, or on real paper) to the Executor of their Will, or the Trustee of ...
Did Aretha Franklin Die Without a Will?
Yes. According to court records filed this week by her family, the Queen of Soul joins the long list of celebrities (think of Prince, Sonny Bono, Jimi Hendrix) with no written Will or estate plan. ...

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