by Kathryn A. Flanigan | Apr 24, 2012 | Uncategorized
The loss of a spouse is one of life’s most painful and stressful events, and there are financial land mines that a newly widowed person should be aware of and avoid:Making rash financial decisions. Some financial tasks – paying bills, collecting on life...
by Kathryn A. Flanigan | Apr 10, 2012 | Uncategorized
Mike Wallace died recently at the age of 93, and according a New York Times interview with his son, Wallace suffered from dementia in his last few years. It is estimated that one in eight Americans will suffer from some form of dementia after the age of 65; an Orange...
by Kathryn A. Flanigan | Apr 10, 2012 | probate attorney
Part of smart estate planning in California is making sure your assets are set up with “right of survivorship” (also called “succession planning”) in order to avoid probate entirely. Some common examples of this include: · An insurance policy...
by Kathryn A. Flanigan | Apr 10, 2012 | Uncategorized
It is not uncommon for debt collectors to try to collect on the debts of the deceased. However, the Federal Trade Commission has published a consumer alert to let consumers know that a beneficiary usually has no legal responsibility when it comes to repaying a...
by Kathryn A. Flanigan | Apr 10, 2012 | Uncategorized
Georgia Lee Dvorak was a pet lover, which is why her bank’s personal trust director didn’t understand why she would specify in her will that her cats should be euthanized upon her death. According to a Chicago news report, in a first for Illinois courts, a...
by Kathryn A. Flanigan | Apr 10, 2012 | Uncategorized
Bath towels are not the only things that can be designated “His” and “Hers”, according to an Orange County estate planning attorney. Under certain circumstances it may be wise for married couples to each have their own California estate...
by Kathryn A. Flanigan | Mar 27, 2012 | Uncategorized
A Letter of Instruction is easily overlooked because it is not a legally binding document like a will, power of attorney, or other estate planning documents. The Letter of Instruction is written to heirs and fiduciaries expressing the author’s hopes for the...
by Kathryn A. Flanigan | Mar 27, 2012 | Uncategorized
Neglecting to name a beneficiary or naming the wrong beneficiary could wipe out all of your estate planning efforts and put the disposition of your estate assets in the hands of the state. Here are some tips for getting it right: Make sure you’ve actually named...
by Kathryn A. Flanigan | Mar 27, 2012 | Uncategorized
A primary goal of California estate planning is making sure your assets are designated correctly so that they pass automatically, allowing an estate to avoid probate altogether. Some common examples of assets that are not subject to California probate include: A life...
by Kathryn A. Flanigan | Mar 27, 2012 | Uncategorized
A Letter of Instruction is easily overlooked because it is not a legally binding document like a will, power of attorney, or other estate planning documents. The Letter of Instruction is written to heirs and fiduciaries expressing the author’s hopes for the...
