San Mateo California Estate Planning Law Blog
Are the benefits to divorce mediation worth it?
If you live in California and are seeking a divorce, you may be staring down months of messy, emotional negotiations and arguments. Divorce can be expensive and volatile and may leave you feeling depressed, anxious and unsure about the future. One alternative to...
Why do you need a health care directive when young and healthy?
Young, healthy California residents sometimes have a hard time seeing the need for an estate plan or a health care directive. The truth is that you have no idea what the future holds and it is beneficial to be prepared for anything, especially if you have a family or...
Are you giving your marriage one last go during the holidays?
Besides planning for the holiday season ahead, you could also be in the midst of planning your divorce in California. That said, you and your spouse may hope the holiday cheer is enough to set you and your marriage on the road to recovery. If you want the holidays to...
Choosing a medical power of attorney
While a great deal of estate planning touches on tying up loose ends after a person dies in California, there are aspects pertaining to when an individual is still alive. For that reason, choosing a medical power of attorney is essential to a proper estate plan. WebMD...
What can you specify in a pet trust?
If you are working on estate planning in California, you have probably considered the fate of any of your pets, should you pass before them. One way that people can ensure that their animals continue to have good lives is through drafting what is known as a pet trust....
When there are issues with the terms of a trust
If a trust is irrevocable, no one can change it. Right? But what if the terms of the trust are obsolete now, and the trust does not serve the purpose the grantor originally intended? Modifying a trust is not impossible, but it does require the consent of all the...
Do you need a lawyer to help draft a will or trust?
A will or trust is an important way for you to protect your assets once you have passed and to ensure that they go to the people you wish to pass them on to. Unfortunately, we have seen that many people in California will sometimes seek to question the legitimacy of a...
What is the difference between a will and a trust?
Whether you are coming to your later years in life or you are just seeking to look out for your loved ones in case something unexpected happens, a will or trust is a way that many people in California are able to ensure that their postmortem wishes are enacted with...
Why mediation may be the best option in a probate dispute
At Cohen Law Office, P.C., in California, we understand the importance of communication between all parties when they are engaged in heated probate disputes. If you find yourself in this situation, you may worry that you and other beneficiaries have too many conflicts...
How to minimize the tax impact on loved ones when you die
Estate planning in California requires the person to think about all their property and assets before they die. The person carefully chooses who they wish to inherit a certain property whether a home or prized piece of jewelry. After they die, the heir may have to pay...
