Since we opened our doors back in 2015, we have never once increased our prices. That’s pretty much unheard of in our industry and something we are very proud to have been able to offer to our clients for so long. Beginning in January of 2019 though, we will be expanding our estate practice as…
And what a year it has been! Sonam turned 1 this past weekend and it marks a full turn around the sun for all of us. Our baby girl is walking, talking and getting ready for Dodgers baseball! At this time last year, Sonam’s birth coincided with the Dodgers making the World Series, and here…
Touted as one of the most important changes regarding data privacy protections in the last 20 years, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) went into effect on May 25th, 2018 for the entirety of all 28 member states of the European Union (EU). The goal of the GDPR is protection for all EU citizens from…
Whether having recently married or you’re about to take the plunge, you more than likely have a lot on your mind. Wedding plans, family plans, and an entire lifetime together to think about. However, one thing you may not be thinking about is how your new marriage can and most certainly will affect your current…
Any startup, be it a small family business or an endeavor into Silicon Valley, needs funding. They also have an understandable desire to raise their needed capital with as few legal hurdles as possible. The problem is that startup fundraising is a particularly regulated process that requires companies to be in compliance with the Securities…
If you’re like many business owners, you have likely imagined your company becoming a household name. One way to do this would be to franchise your business model, allowing third parties to operate and expand your established business into new markets while utilizing their own capital and supervisory efforts. To reach that level of success…
If you or your spouse are over 55 years old, there might be some big tax concerns you have when it comes to moving. First, you’re worried about the large tax on capital gains. (But maybe you qualify for the $250K/$500K home sale exclusion). Second, you probably bought your home at a lower price and if…
As of this past January, Jiya has revolved around the Sun 3 times and Sonam already a quarter turn. As Jiya aptly says, “I growed up, Papa.” Recently, she’s been asking how old I am, and when she hears me repeat a number that’s higher than what she can count to (currently she tops at…
PRIMARY HOMES If you are married and own a primary home, chances are you own it as either “joint tenants” (JT) or “community property with rights of survivorship” (CPWROS). Both are forms of joint ownership, so is there a difference? Oh yes! A big difference. In California, you get what’s called a “step-up in basis”…
The concept of step-up in basis is a staple in estate planning. Planning decisions must take this concept into account, as the potential benefits of preserving step-up in basis for your heirs is tremendous. The step-up in basis is a method around paying capital gains taxes, which is a form of income tax. Generally, if…
BACKGROUND: There can be many reasons why you need a trust – but here are 2 of the most common. The first reason is to avoid probate. Probate is a court process that occurs after you die when you don’t have a trust, when your home, bank accounts, and all other assets will be held by…
Asset protection planning is an important step to take in safeguarding your hard-earned assets from being lost, inadvertently, because you overlooked something important. The most foundational level of asset protection is to plan for what will happen to your assets in the event of your incapacity or death because you are 100% guaranteed to have…
Life insurance is a purchase only made once or twice in a lifetime, so it is common to be unaware of the ins and outs of policy protection. The potential pitfalls are significant, however, so review the following tips before purchasing a life insurance policy. Get the Right Type and Amounts Life insurance policies are…
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard about Bitcoin. But, you may not know what it is or how it affects your estate planning. Or, maybe you’ve got yourself some Bitcoin, but haven’t given thought to what would happen to your digital currency in the event of your death or incapacity. So…
Dealing with the financial stressors of caring for an aging loved one can affect your ability to provide them with the care and compassion they need. It can also put the security of your financial future at risk. To mitigate these concerns, consider these useful tips to help you make informed decisions about how to…
In the sea of financial planning wisdom, there are too few messages about the importance of mindset. Gone are the days when simply saving money was enough to get you to retirement. With pensions practically a thing of the past, it takes more than just a big piggy bank to afford retirement. Saving strategies aside,…
Trusts vary in their structure, funding, and terms, so it’s hard to know how divorce will impact your trust without review. It’s safe to say, without question, your trust (and really your entire estate plan) should be reviewed during your divorce to prevent unforeseen negative outcomes. The impact of a divorce on your trust can…
A celebrity’s image and likeness can continue to produce considerable income after death. This type of intellectual property is considered part of your estate, and the IRS can tax its value. In the case of pop star Michael Jackson’s estate, that recently meant an IRS bill to the tune of $64.5 million, years after his…
Of the handful of major life events that require your serious consideration, few are as emotionally charged as how to leave your assets for loved ones at the time of your death. This often complex process is accomplished via testamentary documents such as wills and trusts, which have recently become available for purchase online as…
Mortgaged property may be transferred into a revocable living trust as a measure to avoid probate and provide greater control over how the property is distributed to beneficiaries. Unlike property which the grantor owns free and clear of encumbrances, mortgaged property requires additional considerations prior to placing it in a trust. The process for funding…
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