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If It’s Community Property – Why do I Need a Will?
April 11th, 2012
Have you ever heard of “urban myths?” Those are the stories that we’ve all heard and believe to be true, that turn out to be false. Perhaps the most persistent myth in the area of estate planning is that community property passes automatically…
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Categories: Estate Planning
Life Insurance Surprise
February 20th, 2012
For most of us, a surprise is a good thing. For an estate planning/elder law lawyer, they are dreaded. Most people think (properly) of life insurance as a safety net for their family. Young families have gotten the message and usually protect their c…
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Categories: Estate Planning
Do it yourself?
December 15th, 2011
There are many tools now available for self-help legal services, especially when it comes to will drafting. One popular website charges a modest fee, less than a lawyer would cost, and I’m often asked, “so why should I pay you to do what I can do…
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Categories: Estate Planning
Living Trust Concerns
October 14th, 2011
Do you have a large red or green binder labeled “Revocable Living Trust”? If so, you should pay attention to this post. A few years ago a handful of organizations began using a high pressure sales approach to marketing expensive trusts called “…
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Categories: Estate Planning
What happens if I die without a will?
December 20th, 2010
The estate law (called the law of intestacy) in your jurisdiction governs the distribution of your estate. It is inflexible and may lead to results radically at odds with your wishes. Further, the state will assign a guardian of its choosing. Finally…
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Categories: Estate Planning