I have asked groups of Seminar attendees over the years what specific nemesis has cost individual Americans the most over the years. The most prominent answer has been “taxes.” Yes, taxes are a nemesis and they are costly, but in most cases, a necessary cost to our democracy. The answer, unfortunately, is not necessary and…
Over the years there is one legal problem brought to my office in which I can offer no legal solution after the death of the first spouse. Also, the courts usually can provide no remedy. To properly understand it, I will provide you with a typical scenario. Husband and wife have entered a second marriage…
We are in a changing world which also affects Estate Planning. One of the innovations involves electronic Wills which has now been adopted in four states (Arizona, Indiana, Nevada and Florida on July 1st). The Will is created and signed on a digital device such as a computer or tablet. This is a Simple Will,…
The new Secure Act recently signed by Trump will have an impact of tax increases on Inherited IRAs and took effect on January 1, 2020. 1. Who does it effect? 2. What does it mean? Who does it effect? The new tax legislation impacts non-spouse beneficiaries and Trusts which designate such individuals as beneficiaries. It…
Are you concerned about the tax effects possibly impacting the sale of your home should you desire to move in California? There are two things to consider in this regard: 1. California Proposition 90; and 2. Internal Revenue Code §121. Proposition 90 provides for the transfer of your property tax base within the…
Clients often ask, “On my incapacity or death, how will my Successor Trustee know what we own in the Trust and those out of the Trust?”. The answer to this is UPDATED Schedules A & B, which are attachments to your Living Trust listing your assets such as IRAs, 401ks, life insurance, etc… Clients should…
Having trouble deciding whether you should register as an organ donor or not? Lets lay down the facts to help you better understand how the entire process of organ donation works, so that you may make an informed decision. Roughly 145 Million people are registered organ donors. Now, despite the fact that many people register…
Assisted death, with California’s new laws coming into effect in a few short months, can be a very controversial topic amongst patients, physicians, and the general public. While these new laws raise many questions regarding morality and ethics, they also bring up a dilemma for physicians concerning the identification of the cause of death on…
Here is something you need to be aware of and guard against. If you lose capacity or resign as acting Trustee of your Living Trust, your Successor Trustee does not have to provide an accounting to your Trust beneficiaries during your lifetime. Until the recent California Supreme Court case of Estate of Giraldin (55 California…
After we receive the Retainer, the Office Manager assigns the file to one of our staff members and the drafting process of the documents begins. We normally have the drafts ready to mail to you within 3-4 weeks. If for any reason you needed the documents on a rush basis, we can accommodate you but…
Many potential clients ask, what can we expect in our initial consultation at The Stephens Law Group? The following is a description of the process: When you call for your complimentary one hour consultation, the Office Manager will arrange a convenient date and time for you to meet with me, Jack Stephens. I am the…
If you intend to benefit a disabled child or beneficiary with an inheritance, you better get to amending your Living Trust. Or, maybe you are thinking that you can’t provide for the disabled beneficiary because he/she would lose their Medi-Cal or SSI. Not so — you can provide for them, but you better get crackin….