Estate planning is one of the most important things that not enough people do. A survey conducted by Caring.com in 2017 found that nearly 60% of American adults said that they don't have a will or a trust. While these numbers may have elevated slightly due to the COVID-19 pandemic – which exposed...
Most people would agree that estate planning is something they believe is important, but even some of those with that opinion don't have their own affairs in order. Despite all of the benefits estate planning can provide – chief among them: peace of mind! – not everyone who knows and understands ...
If estate planning is on your mind, you have likely heard of the probate process and you know it is something that is best avoided. With a carefully-crafted estate plan, it is possible to help your beneficiaries avoid this complex, expensive, and time-consuming process. Avoiding the Probate Proce...
If you're like most people, you might have put your estate plan together and thought you wouldn't have to look at it again. If it shocks you to hear that you are wrong, we're glad – only because updating your estate plan is one of the most important things you can do to ensure your family remains...
Like any organization, a business needs its leader. If a business is a ship, a business leader turns the wheel to steer it where it needs to go. When a business owner or CEO unexpectedly dies, however, it is like a ship's wheel losing its connection to the rudder: overnight, or even in an instant...
Now more than ever, same-sex couples have the same rights as heterosexual couples, and this includes when it comes to estate planning. Just like everyone else, same-sex couples should have their affairs in order to protect the ones they love after they're gone. Here are three considerations same-...
Wedding season is here! While it's important to check off items such as a venue, the guest list, and the photographer, another item couples should check off is setting up an estate plan. Even though many believe an estate plan is only needed after you get married or if you are older, that's no...
Summertime is drawing near and as the world begins opening up again many people are planning summer vacations. Whether you travel to a neighboring town, state, and especially out of the country, it's always important to make sure your estate plan is in order. Review Your Estate Plan If you don't ...
Creating an estate plan doesn't need to be complicated. When considering what needs to be in your estate plan, you'll want to make sure you have important documents that explicitly state your wishes. Having an experienced lawyer can make this process much easier. If you are ready to make an estat...
Many of you have reached out with questions about the newly passed Proposition 19. This article attempts to shed some light but does not in any way purport to offer any conclusive authority, as the CA Assessor's Association and the CA Board of Equalization are currently hard at work to formulate ...
In times like these, we must learn from those who have endured severe hardship, and have been able to come out stronger and wiser. We can take strength from their ability to overcome adversity. One such prominent American is James Bond Stockdale, a United States Navy vice admiral and aviator awar...
The Age of COVID Estate Plans – Cheap Trusts are in fact Very Expensive Estate planning services are highly sought after in this “Age of COVID.” Unfortunately, the higher cost of a custom-drafted, sophisticated and thorough estate plan containing all the essential legal documents, as well as guid...
With the current COVID 19 pandemic reshaping the way we live, a major concern for our clients is to revise their existing Health Care Directives and HIPAA documents to include provisions that address remote authorization of medical decisions. With the contagious nature of Coronavirus, it will be...
While law offices may not be classified as an “essential business” that remains open for in-person meetings, having a Health Care Directive, and attending to your Will, Living Trust and Power of Attorney, are quite essential during these trying times. From our Home Office to the safety of your Ho...
In these uncertain times when life as we know it has come to a sudden halt in an effort to slow down the beast known as COVID-19, the most relevant legal document is your Advance Health Care Directive. This document names the people who can make medical decisions for you (including termination of...
“SECURE” your IRA –The New Rules, and How SECURE Impacts Your Estate Plan Retirement Accounts are a part of every estate plan, which is designed with these accounts' Rollover and Tax Deferral strategies in mind. However, these rules have now changed, which begs for an Estate Plan review, to ensur...
Starting in January of 2020, the rent control laws in California were significantly changed. Many individuals who inherit real estate and plan to use it as investment property should be aware of these changes before signing a lease agreement and letting tenants in. The California Lawyer's Associa...
The rules on Registered Domestic Partnerships changed significantly starting on January 1, 2020. Whereas in the past, domestic partnerships could be registered between same sex couples, and between opposite sex couples where one partner is over age 62, starting on January 1, 2020, everyone, re...
You've created your living Trust – now what? Establishing your Trust is only the first step in ensuring that your property will go to your desired beneficiaries outside of Probate court. The next step is the most critical one - “funding” your trust - whereby you change title to your property into...
If you have been postponing the setting up of an estate plan for 30 years – have you waited long enough? Going forward - time is not your friend: for folks in their 60s or 70s, waiting any longer to set up Powers of Attorney, Wills and a Trust, and transferring their assets in Trust, could involv...
Every life transition changes the person that we are. Graduating from High School or College, getting Married, starting a Business, or a Family – those are big life events that define new legal paradigms, and entail more responsibilities towards those who are close to us and/or depend on us. Gett...
Summer is time for the long-awaited and much deserved time away from the office and the daily grind. Every year millions of Americans pack their suitcases and board a plane, a cruise ship, or set out on a road trip. Every year many vacations are ruined when the unthinkable happens: an accident, a...
When people think of Estate Planning they usually think about setting up a living trust and powers of attorney. A lot of budget outfits out there would deliver just that. The real value of working with an Estate Planning attorney is to take a holistic approach to Estate Planning and not only have...
It is a common misconception that ANY assets less than $150,000 in value are not subject to Probate. Although that IS true for personal property (accounts, cars, personal items, etc.), this is NOT true for real property. Real property - no matter its value – always goes through Probate Court when...
Children turn 18, and all of a sudden, with a snap of a finger, they are Adults, for all legal intents and purposes. Some of those young adults stand to inherit millions in the way of real estate, financial assets, and life insurance death benefits. But are they able to manage a substantial inher...
Attorney Maria N. Jonsson, Esq. is a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. The Law Offices of Maria N. Jonsson, PC is committed to providing a comprehensive and holistic analysis of your specific circumstances as they relate to Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Administration issues in California. Schedule a one-on-one discussion of your case with Attorney Jonsson directly.