If you’ve been named executor of a loved one’s estate or trustee of their trust, our blog can help you understand your legal obligations and when it’s important to seek professional assistance to ensure that your loved one’s assets are distributed correctly. Contact us to learn more.
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Another Celebrity Horror Story in the Making: Lessons from Anne Heche’s EstateNow, following Heche’s tragic death, we have learned that she died without an estate plan (in other words, she died “intestate”).
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Inclusion in the 2023 Edition of Best Lawyers in AmericaJohn Goralka, of Goralka Law Firm, P.C. is recognized in the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® for his exemplary work in Tax Law and Trusts and Estates.
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Britney Spears’ Sad Song … Warning: This Could Happen to YouBeing forced into conservatorship and losing all control over your life isn’t something that just happens in movies.
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Lessons to Learn From Philip Seymour Hoffman
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Lessons to Be Learned From Robin Williams' Estate
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How to Protect Your Legacy After You're GoneMany estate planners believe that their job is done when the beneficiaries avoid probate and receive the inheritance. However, when beneficiaries receive their inheritance in their name outright that needlessly exposes the legacy you leave to the claims of creditors, lawsuits, divorce, the loss of governmental benefits they might otherwise...
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What You Need to Know About BasisFor many years, the focus for estate planning was minimizing estate tax. The higher estate tax credits and the potential for estate tax repeal creates a need to now focus on income tax planning. Income tax requires an understanding of basis planning. First, let's start with what "basis" means. Your...
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Tips on How to Retain your Social Security, Medical, and Retirement Benefits After Your Spouse Has PassedYour spouse dies, and after the initial grief, you find your prescription that never cost a cent before is suddenly priced at $195. Whoa! You go home grumbling to yourself — what do they mean?! Are the benefits that came through your spouse gone? If you've been receiving health insurance...
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Tips on How to Incorporate Your Digital Property into Your Estate PlanThanks to the Internet, most companies provide you with the option to receive electronic statements, set up auto payments or pay your bills online. Many businesses are in favor of these methods and support online account management and paperless billing. It’s less expensive, more convenient and more environmentally friendly for...
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Learn How a Life Insurance Trust Can Help Minimize Your Estate TaxA life insurance trust is a form of irrevocable trust that invests the proceeds of a life insurance policy into a trust with designated beneficiaries. Most life insurance policies are owned by the insured. The money is paid when the insured dies, but the payment made to the beneficiaries is...
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Jeff Galvin Discusses Avoiding Estate Plan Disputes With John GoralkaJeff Galvin, a highly rated trust litigation attorney, discusses how to avoid family disputes during trust administration with John in this interview. Mr. Galvin is a partner at Downey Brand, LLP and represents clients in trust and estate litigation throughout Northern California. He advises trustees and executors who find themselves...