Strategic Estate Planning
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When Is It Critical to Review Your Estate Plan, and Why?
Just like other important life tasks, your estate plan deserves your time and attention. It’s important that you work with us to review your estate plan at least once a year. Think of this as your estate plan’s annual physical exam, and remember—prevention is the best...
The Trust Protector: Your Guardian Angel
What Is a Trust Protector? Traditionally, the three roles that must be filled when setting up a trust are the settlor (also called a grantor, trustor, or trustmaker), the trustee, and the beneficiary. All three roles are necessary to create a trust that functions...
Why You Might Not Want to Name Your Advisor as a Beneficiary
Imagine the following scenario: For years, you have worked with a valued professional advisor who has become a close friend, maybe even closer than some of your family members. You know her family, attend church with her, and know her to be a model citizen who...
How to Avoid a Disastrous Will or Trust Contest
A will or trust contest can derail your final wishes, rapidly deplete your estate, and tear your loved ones apart. But with proper planning, you can prevent that result. What is a Will or Trust Contest? A will or trust contest is a type of lawsuit that is filed to...
Is Your Estate Plan Incapacity Proof?
For most people, it is perfectly natural to think about estate planning only in terms of planning for death. While planning for your death is very important, if that is all you plan for, your planning can quickly become woefully inadequate. As medical knowledge and...
Fender Bender? How does that affect your Estate Planning?
In the words of George R. R. Martin’s fictional characters from the noble house Stark, “Winter is coming.” Along with this change of seasons comes a change in driving conditions in much of North America—slippery roads, rain, snow, less sunlight during the morning and...
Estate Planning Awareness Week: Don’t Fall Victim to These Common Myths
Estate Planning Awareness Week: Don’t Fall Victim to These Common Myths Estate Planning Awareness Week is October 18–24, 2021. To that end, this month’s newsletter is geared toward helping you become aware of and better understand common estate planning myths....
Preparing for the Reduction in the Estate Tax Exemption
In late May of this year, the U.S. Treasury released a publication detailing a number of the proposed tax code changes that the Biden administration would like to usher through Congress in an ambitious effort to modernize the US tax system to meet its citizens’ needs....
GadzoLaw on 91.7FM KALW Radio
What happens if I die without a will? What does it matter if my property transfers through, or avoids probate? I just learned that a friend named me as executor. what have I gotten myself into; must I agree? Tonight we plan for those people and things that live...
Notification requirements for trustees administering irrevocable trusts in California
If you are serving as trustee of an irrevocable trust, it is very important to understand and properly execute your fiduciary responsibilities. There are many duties that are straightforward. However, many duties are governed by statute. It is best to consult with an...
Latest Blogs
- When Is It Critical to Review Your Estate Plan, and Why?Just like other important life tasks, your estate plan deserves your time and attention. It’s important that you work with us to review your estate plan at least once a year. Think of this as your estate plan’s annual physical exam, and remember—prevention is the best cure. An annual exam isn’t necessarily the only time […]
- The Trust Protector: Your Guardian AngelWhat Is a Trust Protector? Traditionally, the three roles that must be filled when setting up a trust are the settlor (also called a grantor, trustor, or trustmaker), the trustee, and the beneficiary. All three roles are necessary to create a trust that functions properly. Although it is relatively common to use trust protectors in […]
- Why You Might Not Want to Name Your Advisor as a BeneficiaryImagine the following scenario: For years, you have worked with a valued professional advisor who has become a close friend, maybe even closer than some of your family members. You know her family, attend church with her, and know her to be a model citizen who contributes significant value to your community. This professional has […]